Why gingershots are good for your health

More and more people are using plants and herbs to maintain their health. For example, ginger has become increasingly popular in recent years. Ginger tea is now found on the menu in many cafes, and ordering ginger juice or a ginger shot has become more common. But is a ginger shot really healthy? And does using ginger come with any risks? In this article, we will describe what scientists knew as of 2020 about the health effects of ginger.

In this article, you can read more about:

• Scientific research on the health effects of ginger
• Is ginger safe?
• Ginger for your energy metabolism
• Ginger for your blood vessels and blood pressure
• Ginger for your joints and muscles
• Ginger against oxidative damage
• Ginger for your immune system
• Further research
• How can you use ginger for your health?
• Recipe for ginger juice
• Recipe for ginger tea
• Recipe for a ginger shot
• Things to consider when preparing ginger
• Conclusions
• Sources

Scientific research on the health effects of ginger

In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of research on the effects of ginger on health. Scientists have been studying the vitamins and minerals in Zingiber officinale, which is the official name for ginger. The compounds Gingerol and shogaol found in ginger also receive a lot of attention. However, less than 40% of the studies on ginger have sufficient quality to draw solid conclusions [1]. The research is often conducted with too few people, and there is no standard dose of ginger used when people take ginger shots, ginger tea, or ginger capsules. As a result, the absorption and effects of the active substances in the body cannot be reliably determined [1, 2].

Is ginger safe?

Many people believe that herbs are harmless because they are natural products. However, this is not necessarily true. Fortunately, ginger seems to be generally safe. For example, ginger does not seem to have an effect on the medications used by elderly individuals [3]. However, some people may experience unpleasant stomach problems such as heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea with excessive use of ginger [1]. So, taking a ginger shot on an empty stomach may not be a good idea if you know you are sensitive to it.

There are rumours that ginger would be harmfull to unborn children. However, large studies have not shown an increased risk of pregnancy problems or birth defects in babies when ginger was used during pregnancy [4–7]. However, some small studies have suggested that babies had lower birth weights and a slightly higher risk of birth defects or stillbirth when their mothers consumed a lot of ginger during pregnancy [6]. However, the quality of these studies was poor.

Ginger for your energy metabolism

By drinking ginger shots you not only experience a delicious spicy flavor but also help your body release energy from your meals. The mineral copper in the gingershot plays a role in the activity of various enzymes involved in your metabolism. By drinking a ginger-shot, you can promote your energy metabolism directly!

Gingershots and it's effect on your joints and muscles

The copper in ginger shots contributes to the maintenance of cartilage in your body. Cartilage is a vital component of your joints. Your muscles are also essential for your body's movement, and here the mineral potassium in gingershots can offer advantages. Potassium plays a role in maintaining supple and strong muscles.

Ginger against oxidative damage

The antioxidant copper in ginger also helps your body protect against free radicals. Free radicals are substances that can damage your cells and tissues. You wouldn't want to have too many of these radicals in your body. By obtaining sufficient antioxidants through your diet, you can better protect your body against this damage. Drinking ginger shots regularly is a way to achieve this.

Ginger for your immune system

Last but not least, we want to discuss the positive influence of ginger on your immune system. Copper from gingershots helps supports your body's resistance and thus contributes to the normal functioning of you immmunesystem.

Further research

Ginger appears to have various positive health effects with generally minimal side effects. There is still much research being conducted on the benefits of ginger. We will regularly update this blog as new insights emerge.

How can you use ginger for your health?

The recommended dosage is about 1 gram of fresh ginger per day. You can naturally incorporate this into your meals. There are numerous delicious Oriental dishes that use ginger. If you prefer to drink ginger, below are tasty recipes for ginger juice and ginger tea. If you want to give your health an extra boost without much hassle, try a ginger shot.

Recipe for ginger juice

You can drink ginger juice with water or fruit juice, but it's also great as a sauce in Oriental dishes or as a salad dressing. For half a liter of ginger juice, mix 6 cm of peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger root with the juice of 1 or 2 lemons. Combine the ginger and lemon with 1 teaspoon of turmeric and half a liter of water in a slow juicer or blender. The more ginger you use, the spicier the ginger juice will be. You can also order our ginger juice with turmeric, lemon, and black pepper. We have also written a comprehensive article with several recipes on how to make ginger juice yourself.

Recipe for ginger tea

Making ginger tea is very simple. Put some thin slices of ginger in your teacup and pour hot water over it. Alternatively, dissolve ginger powder in hot water. Add lemon and/or honey to taste. Easy to make and super healthy for you.

Recipe for a ginger shot

A ginger shot has many benefits. You can, of course, order your ginger shot, but did you know that making a ginger shot yourself is also straightforward? The ingredients for a ginger shot are ginger root (2–3 cm) and half a lemon. Cut the peeled lemon and ginger root into small pieces or slices and blend them in a juicer or slow juicer until you have a cloudy ginger juice. You can also use a blender or immersion blender. Optionally, you can add a bit of maple syrup or honey. Drink the ginger shot all at once. You can also experiment: replace the lemon with mandarin, orange, pineapple, and/or apple. And add turmeric, cayenne pepper, or cinnamon to taste—whatever you like in your ginger shot.

Things to consider when preparing ginger

You can store ginger shots in the refrigerator for a maximum of three days. You can also freeze them per portion, for example, in an ice cube tray. This way, you only have to prepare the ginger shot once while maintaining the effect. Dry ginger is best stored at room temperature in a shady environment, so you can enjoy it for several weeks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although it is not yet unequivocally proven, ginger appears to be good for your health, and you can use it safely. With our recipes for ginger juice, ginger shots, and ginger tea, you can easily and deliciously add a healthy ginger shot to your diet. Enjoy it!

Sources

1. Ahn NH, et al. Ginger on human health: a comprehensive systematic review of 109 randomized controlled trials. Nutrients 2020;12:157. PubMed ID: 31935866. Article
2. Vázquez-Fresno A, et al. Herbs and Spices- Biomarkers of Intake Based on Human Intervention Studies – A Systematic Review. Genes & Nutrition 2019;14:18. PubMed ID: 31143299. Article
3. Agbabiaka TB, et al. Concurrent use of prescription drugs and herbal medicinal products in older adults: a systematic review. Drugs Aging 2017;34:891–905. PubMed ID: 29196903. Article
4. Ahmed M, et al. Safety classification of herbal medicines used among pregnant women in Asian countries: a systematic review. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2017;17:489. PubMed ID: 29137614. Article
5. Stanisiere J, et al. How safe is ginger rhizome for decreasing nausea and vomiting in women during early pregnancy? Foods 2018;7:50. PubMed ID: 29614764. Article
6. Lindblad AJ, et al. Ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Canadian Family Physician 2016;62:145. PubMed ID: 26884528. Article
7. Viljoen E, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutrition Journal 2014;13:20. PubMed ID: 24642205. Article