Ginger has a long history of use as a traditional remedy. One popular way to consume it is in a tea made with either fresh root or using a teabag. Drinking ginger tea may have benefits for digestion, inflammation, and the common cold.
What is in Ginger Tea?
Ginger tea is made from boiling the root of the ginger plant in water. You could also use dried and powdered ginger to add to your matcha or other spices to make a masala chai. It’s a very popular tea and one that we love drinking!
The active ingredient in ginger, gingerol, has a range of health benefits and gives the ginger that spicy, fiery flavor. It’s similar to the compounds in chilis, peppers, and other spices that have a lot of spicy heat.
There’s also a significant amount of potassium in ginger root, along with vitamins C and B6. Infusing ginger into water is less nutritional than eating ginger root raw, but far better tasting.
The nutritional content of ginger
Ginger is among the healthiest spices present on this planet. It is a flowering plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family that originated in Southeast Asia. The rhizome, which is the underground part of the stem is most commonly used for consumption. The spice commonly found in every Indian household is closely related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice.
1 Tablespoon of fresh ginger has:
- 4.8 calories
- 1.07 grams (g) of carbohydrate
- 0.12 g of dietary fiber
- 0.11 g of protein
- 0.05 g fat
- 0.1 g of sugar
Besides, ginger also contains nutrients like vitamin B3 and B6, iron, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc.
Here are 9 suspected benefits of Ginger Tea
1. Reduce Inflammation
Ginger tea has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, and has been used for centuries in herbal medicine for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects,. Recent studies back up the claim that ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Relieves Menstrual Cramps
When it comes to period pain, ginger might actually be right up there with pain medications, like Advil (ibuprofen). One study found that women who took 250 mg ginger capsules four times a day had the same pain relief as those who took 250 mg of mefenamic acid or 400 mg ibuprofen capsules four times per day.
3. Improve Blood Circulation
The vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in ginger tea can help restore and improve blood circulation that may help decrease the chance of cardiovascular problems. Ginger may prevent fat from depositing in the arteries helping to prevent heart attacks and stroke.
4. Improve Stomach Performance
Useful in improving digestion and increasing absorption of food, ginger tea can bloat after eating too much.
5. It May Ease Flatulence and Indigestion
Ginger may also have beneficial effects on the digestive system. It may help:
- Decrease the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter
- Reduce bloating and cramping
- Prevent flatulence and indigestion
6. Relieves Period Pain
If you’re suffering from menstrual pain, a cup of ginger tea can help to treat symptoms and ease cramping. In fact, one study suggests that consuming ginger may be just as effective as taking over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. In another study, ginger was shown to successfully reduce both the duration and intensity of
period pain.
7. Pain Relief
Ginger has been used to treat inflammation for centuries and this practice now has a body of scientific evidence behind it. It’s been shown in several studies to help relieve pain from osteoarthritis of the knee in particular.
Ginger tea may also help alleviate headaches, menstrual cramps, sore muscles, and other types of pain.
8. Reduced Nausea and Vomiting
Gingerols and schools, which are active compounds in ginger, may help relieve nausea and vomiting. It may help relieve pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as chemotherapy-induced nausea.
9. Fight Depression
Above all, the serotonin in ginger tea uplifts the mood to help overcome dysthymia (chronic mild depression). So, unless you suffer from low blood pressure, go ahead and enjoy your steaming cup of ginger tea.
Can you eat too much Ginger?
Ginger is safe as a part of a balanced diet. If you’re adding it to food, you’re likely not eating large amounts. Concentrated ginger that’s found in extracts or capsules can cause stomach issues, like heartburn, gas, or diarrhea, for some people.
What foods does ginger taste best with?
Ginger works with lots of things, but you can’t go wrong making it into a marinade or dressing. Mix it with soy sauce, garlic, and olive oil, and toss it into any stir fry or salad. The root also pairs very well with carrots and sweet potatoes in the soup.
Is Ginger safe to eat during pregnancy?
Most research says ginger can safely be used to relieve nausea during pregnancy. But it’s a good idea to check with your doctor if you’re considering using ginger capsules or extract rather than adding fresh ginger to food or drinking it in tea.
How long does fresh Ginger stay good?
Fresh ginger can last in the refrigerator for up to three weeks as long as you don’t peel it. If you notice wrinkling or mold, it’s time to toss the root. It also freezes very well if you don’t plan to use it right away.
Who should not consume Ginger
1. Pregnant and breastfeeding women
This root contains powerful stimulants that can cause premature contractions and also affect sex hormones in the fetus. As a result, it can cause miscarriage and major malformations. For this reason, it is recommended that expectant mothers should avoid ginger intake, especially during their last weeks of pregnancy.
On the other hand, the opinions of intake ginger during lactation are divided between those who consider it completely safe and those who believe that can affect the digestive system of the infant. When in doubt, you can avoid ginger during this time. Or you can consult your doctor, who will update you on the latest research.
2. Underweight people
Ginger is essentially known as the root solution for weight loss. It regulates the digestive enzymes in the stomach and reduces your appetite which leads to weight loss. But for people who already are underweight, there are repercussions.
3. People on a certain medication
For people on medication for diabetes and high blood pressure, ginger is a big ‘no no’. Drugs like beta-blockers, anticoagulants, and insulin can be very harmful when combined with ginger. Ginger helps with blood-thinning and lowers blood pressure, both of which can go wrong with these medications.
4. Patients with heart disease
As discussed earlier, ginger can be a great food to prevent heart disease by stimulating blood circulation. However, if you have been diagnosed with blockages in the arteries or blood vessels, high doses of this root could occur some complications.
If you have a heart problem, do not use ginger in high quantities.
5. People with Hemophilia
Ginger is a great stimulator of blood circulation and is used to prevent heart disease. This property has been proven for many years and is advised to most people now. However, patients with hemophilia have it banned. Hemophilia is a disorder that hinders blood clotting and ginger may worsen the disease.
The same applies if you have a large wound on your body or are going through a stage of healing, this root could slow down the process. It may even be the cause of intense and prolonged bleeding after an injury.
6. People with blood disorders
Haemophilia is a rare condition that prevents the ability of the blood to clot. Though blood clots can be risky in some conditions, it is still important for the body. Loss of the ability to clot can lead to excessive bleeding due to a minute cut or injury.
Where ginger is recommended for people to improve blood circulation in the body, people with Haemophilia may actually suffer severe hemorrhages due to increased blood circulation in the body. It may even nullify the effects of some life-saving medication.
8 side effects of Ginger you must be aware of
8 Benefits Of Drinking Ginger Water
1. Ginger works as a blood thinner. It helps in regulating the blood pressure level of your body. Drinking ginger water helps you in dealing with high blood pressure problems too.
2. According to a study, drinking ginger water helps in lowering your cholesterol level. Bad cholesterol puts you at risk of heart problems.
3. Do you know you start getting hunger pangs when the blood sugar level of your body goes up? This leads to overeating that further adds to your weight. Drinking ginger water helps in regulating the blood sugar level of your body that controls your hunger pangs and prevents you from consuming more calories.
4. Ginger is great for your skin and hair too. Vitamin A and C present in ginger is great for your hair. Ginger has antibacterial properties that clean your blood and keep all skin issues at bay.
5. Drinking ginger water prevents you from diabetes. It has zinc that regulates the secretion of insulin. This, drinking ginger water is helpful to keep diabetes away.
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6. The antioxidants present in ginger water fight the free radicals of your body and prevent them from damaging your body.
7. Drinking ginger water helps you improve your digestion. It keeps all digestive disorders like indigestion, constipation, and nausea at bay. You can add lemon juice to your ginger water if you suffer from morning sickness during pregnancy.
8. You must drink ginger water to keep yourself hydrated all day. Your body needs enough water to survive and ginger water is a great way of drinking more water.
How to make ginger water at home
- Take one small-sized ginger and wash it thoroughly.
- Drain the excess water and then peel off the skin.
- Then grate ginger and keep it aside.
- Take a pan over medium flame and add four cups of water.
- Once the water is hot enough, add ginger and allow the blend to boil.
- Let it steep for 10 minutes and remove from the stove.
- Allow it cool at a normal room temperature.
- To make it more nutritious and delicious you can add lemon slices or mint leaves as per your choice.
- Your ginger water is ready, drink it hot or cold, the way you like.
According to the experts, the daily consumption of ginger should not be more than 3–4 grams of ginger extract per day for an adult. It varies for kids and the elderly, depending on their health conditions.
Does Ginger get rid of colds? Home Remedies
1. Ginger + Honey drink
The primary indication that our body gives us when any infection of flu is contracted is through a sore throat. At this time, grate some ginger and add it to a pan of boiling water. Once it boils, add the honey into it and squeeze half a lemon and you are good to go. This is beneficial for both sore throats and coughs. Ginger reduces the inflammation caused in a throat when it is sore and the honey helps in soothing it also taming the rough coughs.
2. Ginger + Tulsi tea
This has been a remedy in most Indian households for a very long time. All you will have to do is grate ginger and add 4-5 Tulsi leaves into your water while making tea. Let this water boil for around a minute and then add the rest of the ingredients. This infusion of ginger and Tulsi together will reduce the temperature of your
body if you have a fever and will also help you get relief from headaches and cough.
3. Lemongrass + Ginger drink
Lemongrass is also rich in anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties which helps you cope with flu, cold, and cough. When combined with ginger, this drink works nothing less than magic. Boil the grated ginger and add either dried or fresh lemongrass to the boiling water. Turn the flame off and let this infuse for 3-4 minutes. You can add honey if you like it sweet.
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4. Lemon + Ginger drink
Adding lemon juice to hot water along with some ginger helps in preventing and removing phlegm from the body. Ginger also works as an antioxidant and helps the body in releasing toxins which further results in the removal of the infection and flu. Boil ginger water and squeeze some lemon into it. The vitamin C present in lemon also works as an active agent in the removal of mucus and provides relief in pain.
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