Did you know that the sulfur compounds in broccoli—which are awesome for your health—can also leave you feeling gassy or bloated? That’s because your gut microbes work hard to break down glucosinolates (the fancy name for those sulfur compounds), a process that sometimes leads to discomfort.

Enter fresh ginger: this zesty root contains gingerol and zingibain, compounds shown to help stimulate digestive enzymes and support gastric motility. In other words, ginger helps your stomach start breaking down food sooner and can ease the 'heavy' feeling some people get from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Research in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology even highlights ginger’s role in supporting overall digestive comfort.

It’s as simple as grating a thumb of fresh ginger right into your next broccoli stir-fry or tossing some slices on top before steaming. The combo isn’t just easy on your gut—ginger brings a warming kick that turns plain old broccoli into a crave-worthy side. Give your digestion a hand and your taste buds a treat, all in one go.