In Jainism, eating ginger is generally avoided. This is because ginger is a root vegetable, and consuming root vegetables is discouraged in Jain dietary practices. Digging up root vegetables like ginger results in the destruction of entire plants and disturbs numerous tiny living organisms in the soil, which goes against the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) central to Jainism. Jains typically consume vegetables that grow above the ground and avoid root vegetables such as potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, and ginger.