For thousands of years, people have used ginger to heal diseases and provide an earthy flavour with a fiery kick to their meals. People commonly use the edible root or stem of ginger, which is native to Asia and belongs to the Zingiberaceae family of plants.
It’s also an old herbal cure that’s been used to treat a variety of diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, coughs, colds, and nausea.
Ginger is used in traditional medicine in a variety of ways, notably in the form of ginger tea. By boiling the peeled root in water or milk, you can produce ginger tea.
The benefits and drawbacks of drinking ginger tea are discussed in this article.
What is ginger tea, exactly?
Ginger is a common ingredient used as a spice and a medicinal herb all over the world.
People typically use it in folk medicine to cure coughs and the flu, among other maladies.
It has been used in a number of ways in the past, including:
- fresh
- pickled
- powdered
- dried
- candied
- preserved
- crystalized
It’s also accessible in a variety of formats, including:
- capsules
- tinctures
- extracts
- tablets
- tea
Ginger tea is created by boiling the peeled root in water or milk, as previously stated.
About 1–4% of the ginger root is made up of the oils and compounds that give it its distinctive scent and spicy flavour.
Ginger’s main bioactive components are two of these compounds: gingerols and shogaols. This means they are responsible for the majority of the health advantages associated with ginger and ginger tea.
Health benefits of drinking ginger tea
The following are 7 possible health benefits of drinking ginger tea.
1. It’s possible that it’ll help with motion sickness
Ginger tea, according to folk medicine, can help relieve motion sickness symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, and cold sweats.
In a 1988 study of 80 naval cadets who had never sailed in rough seas, those who were given 1 gramme of powdered ginger reported less vomiting and chilly perspiration.
Although experts aren’t sure how ginger works, some researchers believe that particular molecules in ginger block a brain receptor that plays a vital function in the brain’s vomiting area.
Current research, on the other hand, is either limited or inconclusive.
Ginger tea, on the other hand, may be a useful therapy to try if you get nausea from time to time.
2. May help with morning sickness or chemotherapy nausea
Gingerols in ginger, according to some experts, can help reduce nausea caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy, or surgery.
Ginger, according to researchers, may be an effective and affordable alternative to typical anti-nausea meds in patients who are pregnant or undergoing chemotherapy and are unable to take traditional medications.
Ginger was found to be more effective than a typical medication in avoiding postoperative nausea and vomiting produced by general anaesthesia in a study of 92 women.
However, before using ginger after surgery, consult with a healthcare expert. It may interfere with blood coagulation, though research on this is still in its early stages and additional research is needed.
3. May help in blood pressure control and heart health
Ginger, at daily doses of 2–6 grammes, may help protect against heart disease, according to research.
Ginger could accomplish this by:
- blood pressure reduction
- helping in the prevention of heart attacks and blood clots
- reducing acid reflux
- increasing blood circulation and decreasing cholesterol
4. It’s possible that it’ll help you control your weight and blood sugar levels.
Ginger intake has been shown to help with weight loss and blood sugar control in numerous studies.
According to research, ginger can help you lose weight by:
- enhancing thermogenesis – your body’s creation of heat — which aids fat burning
- Increasing the rate at which fats are broken down for energy
- fat storage prevention
- fat absorption inhibition
- assisting with appetite control
In addition, ginger may assist persons with type 2 diabetes and obesity control their blood sugar by lowering fasting insulin levels, haemoglobin A1C, and triglycerides. Hemoglobin A1C measures your blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months.
5. It has the potential to reduce pain and inflammation
For generations, people have used ginger to relieve inflammation, and research now backs up this practise in some cases.
Gingerol and shogaol, two chemicals found in ginger, have been shown in studies to help lower the generation of pro-inflammatory markers.
Ginger has been examined in particular for its ability to relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
If you drink ginger tea at the start of your period, it may help relieve menstrual cramps. It may be as effective as or more effective than over-the-counter pain relievers, according to research.
6. It’s possible that it has anti-cancer properties
Ginger has even been demonstrated in studies to help prevent cancer, owing to its gingerol and shogaol content.
Gingerol and shogaol may contribute to ginger’s cancer-fighting properties by triggering cell death and limiting cancer cell multiplication and proliferation, according to test-tube research.
In other test-tube investigations, ginger was found to have anti-cancer properties in pancreatic, colon, colorectal, ovarian, prostate, and lung cancer cells.
More research into the effects of ginger and ginger tea on human cancer is required.
7. It has the potential to protect your brain
Scientists have looked at ginger’s ability to defend against oxidative stress and inflammation, two variables that play a key role in the progression of neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s.
Because of their antioxidant characteristics, animal studies demonstrate that gingerol and shogaol may protect against age-related loss in brain functions.
Ginger extract may also boost cell survival against beta-amyloid, a peptide linked to Alzheimer’s disease that can cause toxicity in brain cells, according to test-tube research.
Drawbacks that could occur
Ginger tea is unlikely to have any serious side effects.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers ginger to be generally recognised as safe (GRAS), which includes individuals who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding. It is safe to ingest up to 4 grammes of ginger per day, according to the FDA. In most investigations, however, these amounts are not attained.
- While there is no universally accepted dosage for ginger, studies show that 1,000 mg of fresh ginger is a healthy daily amount.
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) freshly grated ginger extract, 0.4 teaspoons (2 mL) liquid ginger extract, 4 cups (946 mL) premade ginger tea, or 2 teaspoons (10 mL) ginger syrup
- Ginger tea is likely to be less concentrated than these ginger varieties. While drinking ginger tea may cause adverse effects, if you simply drink one or two cups, you’re unlikely to notice them.
- However, if you believe you’re having side effects from drinking ginger tea, stop drinking it immediately and consult a healthcare professional about your symptoms.
- Gas, bloating, nausea, and heartburn or reflux are the most common side effects reported by persons who consume ginger. Diarrhea and stomach ache are two other symptoms that have been recorded.
- People on blood thinners or blood pressure drugs should check their healthcare provider before eating too much ginger because it can reduce blood pressure and thin the circulation.
In the end
Ginger tea is a simple, tasty, and natural approach to improve your health.
It’s simple and quick to create at home, and it gives you the many health advantages of ginger.
You may sit back, breathe in, sip carefully, and enjoy a cup of ginger tea whether you’re feeling under the weather or simply craving a warm drink.