Ginger tea has been used by humans for the treatment of a wide variety of maladies for thousands of years, and it is also used in cooking to impart an earthy taste with a chili edge. This calming beverage may help, depending on what you’re looking for relief from—nausea or pain, for example. Individuals normally eat either the root or the stem of ginger, both of which are edible. Ginger originates in Asia and is a member of the Zingiberaceae plant family. It is also a traditional herbal treatment that has been used for a wide variety of conditions throughout history, such as diabetes, joint pain, vomiting, and uneasiness. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginger is often drunk as ginger tea. Ginger is also used in a variety of other ways. To prepare ginger tea, simply peel the root and bring it to a boil in either water or milk.
As both a seasoning and a medicinal plant, ginger is one of the many often-used herbs in cuisines all over the world. People typically utilize it as a treatment for coughs and the flu, among other maladies, within the context of traditional medicine. To prepare ginger tea, the peeled ginger root is boiled in either water or milk. Approximately 1–4% of the ginger root is comprised of the oils and compounds that give ginger its signature spicy aroma and flavor. These oils and compounds are responsible for spiciness. Ginger’s primary bioactive components are thought to be gingerols and shogaols, which are two of the chemicals listed above. This indicates that they are responsible for the majority of the positive health effects that ginger and ginger tea have.
This paper discusses both the positive and negative effects that drinking ginger tea may have on one’s health.
What are the health advantages of ginger tea?
As a traditional form of treatment, ginger has been used for a very long time. One of the most common ways to eat it is in the form of tea, which may be prepared using either fresh root or a tea bag. There is some evidence that drinking ginger tea can help with bowel movements, inflammation, and even the common cold. There is some speculation that the chemicals found in ginger, such as shogaols and gingerols, could be advantageous to a person’s overall health. A study that was conducted in 2015 found that shogaols and gingerols both possessed anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiallergic properties. According to one paper published in 2019, fresh ginger has higher quantities of gingerols, whereas dried ginger has slightly lower levels of these compounds. But dry ginger has a larger concentration of shogaols than fresh ginger.
There is some evidence that drinking ginger tea has health benefits. Both fresh and dried ginger can be used to prepare a cup of ginger tea. However, it is essential to keep in mind that different types of ginger and quantities of ginger were used in the experiments, and they may not be comparable to the amounts that a person would consume if they drank ginger tea. To prepare ginger tea, simply bring the root to a boil in some water. The flavor is pungent and hot at the same time. It is abundant in gingerols and shogaols, which are the components responsible for many of its beneficial effects on health.
Following are the health advantages of ginger tea
A potential remedy for seasickness
It is believed in some forms of folk medicine that drinking ginger tea will help alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, such as feeling faint, throwing up, and sweating cold. In a research conducted in 1988 with eighty naval cadets who weren’t used to sailing in rough seas, those who were given one gram of powdered ginger reported less vomiting and cold sweating after being exposed to rough seas. Even though experts aren’t entirely sure how ginger operates, some have hypothesized that particular molecules in ginger stop a brain transmitter that plays an important part in the brain area that controls vomiting. But the study that has been done so far is scant or contradictory. However, if you suffer from nausea regularly, ginger tea could be an effective therapeutic option for you to consider.
A possible remedy for nausea brought on either pregnancy or chemotherapy
Gingerols, which are found in ginger, are believed by some professionals to be able to alleviate nausea brought on by pregnancy, chemotherapy, or surgery. Scientists believe that ginger could be a successful and less costly option to traditional anti-nausea medications for those who are pregnant or who are receiving treatment and are unable to have traditional drugs.
Ginger was found to be more beneficial than conventional medicine in avoiding nausea and vomiting following surgery produced by general anesthesia, according to research that involved 92 female participants. Despite this, before consuming ginger after an operation, you must consult a qualified medical practitioner. It may impede the process by which blood clots; nevertheless, research on this topic is still in its infancy, and further investigation is required.
Potential aid in controlling blood pressure and promoting heart health
According to the findings of certain studies, taking between 2 and 6 grams of ginger daily may help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It may be able to achieve this result by reducing hypertension, assisting in the prevention of heart attacks, assisting in the prevention of blood clots, easing heartburn symptoms, reducing cholesterol levels, and boosting blood circulation.
Potential aid in controlling both obesity and diabetes
Numerous studies have shown that including ginger in one’s diet can help with maintaining a healthy weight as well as blood sugar levels. According to studies, ginger may assist in the management of body weight by stimulating thermogenesis, which is the generation of heat by your body, hence assisting in the burning of fat, stimulating the breakdown of fats for energy, limiting the storage of fat, stimulating appetite control, and decreasing the absorption of fat. Furthermore, there is some evidence that ginger can assist persons with type 2 diabetes in better controlling their blood sugar and the prevalence of obesity by lowering levels of insulin when the body is fasting as well as hemoglobin A1C and lipids. The level of your blood sugar over the past two to three months is indicated by your hemoglobin A1C level.
Possibility of reducing pain and swelling
Ginger has been used as a remedy for irritation for generations, and recent scientific research has provided support for this traditional use in specific contexts. According to research, the components of ginger known as gingerol and shogaol are responsible for the plant’s ability to lessen the formation of inflammatory markers. Researchers have focused a lot of their attention on ginger because of its potential to ease the discomfort caused by osteoarthritis of the knee. If you drink ginger tea around the beginning of your period, it could also help ease the painful cramps that come with your period. According to study findings, it may be as effective as, or perhaps more so than, pain relievers that are available without a prescription.
Possibility of anti-cancer effects
Because of its high gingerol and shogaol concentration, ginger has even been linked to cancer prevention. Both gingerol and shogaol have been found in experiments to contribute to ginger’s anti-cancer effects by inducing cell death and inhibiting the development of cancer cells. Researchers have observed the potential effects of ginger on cancer cells in culture, including those of the pancreas, colon, intestinal, ovary, prostate, and lung. Ginger and ginger tea may help fight malignancy, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Possibly safe for your brain
Researchers have examined ginger’s ability to stave off oxidative stress and inflammation, two key contributors to neurodegenerative conditions like dementia. Due to their antioxidant characteristics, gingerol and shogaol have shown promise in protecting against the age-related decrease in brain functioning in animal experiments. The beta-amyloid peptide, which is strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease and can generate toxicity in brain cells, may be inhibited by ginger extract, according to in vitro research.
What are the side effects of ginger tea?
Drinking ginger tea is probably safe to do. The FDA has determined that ginger is GRAS, meaning it is considered safe for all uses, including nursing and chestfeeding mothers. Up to 4 grams of ginger per day is considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration. However, these levels are typically not achieved in research. Studies suggest that a safe daily amount of fresh ginger is 1,000 mg, while there is no consensus on the optimal quantity. This measures out to about 4 cups (946 mL) of premade ginger tea, 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of ginger syrup, or 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of freshly grated ginger extract. Keep in mind that ginger tea is probably not as potent as these other ginger products. So, while there may be some negative effects from drinking ginger tea, you probably won’t notice any after drinking just one or two cups.
However, if you suspect you’re experiencing adverse reactions to ginger tea, you should stop drinking it immediately and think about consulting a doctor. The most commonly reported adverse reactions to ginger are flatulence, nausea, and stomach pain. Diarrhea and stomach ache have also been mentioned as symptoms. People on blood pressure or blood-thinning drugs should talk to their doctor before increasing their ginger intake due to the potential for adverse interactions. Drinking excessive amounts of ginger tea is associated with an increase in gas, bloating, heartburn, and nausea. Research suggests that no more than four cups of pre-packaged ginger tea per day is safe.
The Bottom Line
Ginger tea is a simple, tasty, and all-natural remedy for improving health. It’s simple and easy to make at home, and it gives you all the health advantages of ginger. Sit back, relax, and savor a cup of ginger tea any time you’re feeling against the weather or just in the mood for something hot to drink. Since the Camellia sinensis plant, from which black, green, oolong, and white teas are derived, is not a component of ginger tea, this infusion is regarded to be caffeine-free. Ginger has many chemicals that have positive impacts on health at multiple levels. Benefits to the brain and heart, as well as shedding pounds, may result from its antioxidant, antidiabetes, antibacterial, and anti-cancer abilities.
Ginger tea is perfect for any time of day, whether it’s the first thing in the morning or the last thing at night. As a supplemental treatment, it can help with indigestion and even signs of a cold. There is also evidence that it benefits NAFLD and aids in blood sugar regulation. Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, ginger tea may also be beneficial for persons with arthritic conditions Ginger root, or ginger tea bags can all be used to brew a tasty beverage. Consult a physician before eating ginger if you are taking medications that thin your blood or are scheduled for surgery. If you are pregnant or going through chemotherapy and want to consume ginger for nausea, talk to your doctor about safe and effective quantities. Warfarin and other blood-thinning drugs require medical supervision before use. Similarly, expecting mothers should never consume ginger without first talking to a doctor.
Sirisha B