Ginger, which is included in our Gin standards set, adds a spicy and, at higher concentrations, even hot note to gins. But researchers at the University of British Columbia have published a study demonstrating that ginger suppresses feelings of disgust.
In a series of double-blind studies, volunteers were given either a ginger capsule or a placebo pill. For the first study, 242 participants were asked to rate how disgusted they felt when presented with a sequence of objectively disgusting photos, from rotten meat (moderately disgusting) to a man vomiting in a toilet (highly disgusting)…The results show that when a participant had been given ginger they were less judgmental of moderately disgusting and severe images and situations, but not so of highly disgusting and severe images and situations.
We’re not certain what use this is, but we found it amusing – and, to be honest, are considering adding ginger to upcoming holiday dinners, just in case the conversation turns to politics.