What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Ginger Tea Regularly
A daily cup of this warming tea may do more than just soothe your stomach.
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christina Daley
Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia
Ginger certainly puts the “zing” in “amazing.” This remarkable root has been revered as a culinary gem and powerful medicinal remedy for thousands of years due to its uniquely pungent, pleasantly spicy and incredibly soothing properties. Ginger’s warming quality is particularly delightful when the root is infused in hot water to make tea. From its refreshing aroma to its citrus undertones, a cup of ginger tea offers a rejuvenating yet calming sensory experience. But, beyond its scent and flavor, does it offer any research-backed health benefits? Better yet, what happens if you consume ginger tea regularly? To answer your pending questions, we reached out to dietitians to find out how regular ginger tea consumption impacts your health, whether there are any risks and delicious ways to prepare it.
Related: 14 of the World's Healthiest Spices & Herbs You Should Be Eating
Ginger Tea Nutrition Facts
One cup of ginger tea contains:
Calories: 2
Carbohydrates: < 1 g
Total Sugars: 0 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Sodium: 9.6 mg
Calcium: 7.2 mg
Potassium: 9.6 mg
Ginger tea also contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, but it is not a significant source of these nutrients. Instead, research has highlighted that ginger tea is rich in bioactive compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which have been found to have a wide array of health benefits.
Health Benefits of Ginger Tea
May Ease Nausea and Vomiting
Sipping ginger tea may quell the queasy sensation in your stomach associated with nausea and vomiting. More specifically, “ginger has been shown to help with nausea during pregnancy, after surgery or chemotherapy and with motion sickness,” says Elena Ivanina, M.D., a board-certified integrative gastroenterologist and founder of Gut Love and the Center for Integrative Gut Health. In fact, data has shown that ginger may be as effective at alleviating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy as common antiemetic medications.
But how exactly does it settle an uneasy stomach? Emmy Bright, M.S., RDN, founder of Real Good Nutrition, shares that ginger contains a powerful compound called 6-gingerol, which helps relieve nausea by blocking several receptors in the gut. She adds, “Another reason ginger might be helpful for treating nausea is its ability to increase GI motility or the speed at which contents of our gut pass through. By speeding things up, it may help to reduce the length of time you experience unpleasant symptoms.”
May Protect Against Pathogens
Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern, affecting millions of people every year. This means harmful germs like bacteria, viruses and fungi are evolving and no longer responding to medications designed to stop their growth and replication. One way that microbes become more resistant is by creating protective covers called biofilms.
Interestingly, a study highlighted that ginger might help reduce bacteria growth and biofilm formation, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus. Ginger may also have anti-microbial effects against E coli, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects. Therefore, you should always consult your healthcare practitioner to diagnose and treat potential infections accurately.
May Reduce Inflammation
Ongoing inflammation is a major contributor to the development and progression of various chronic diseases. Fortunately, “different compounds in ginger, such as 6-shogaol, zingerone and 8-shoagol, have been studied to have anti-inflammatory properties in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, as well as psoriasis,” says Ivanina. Ginger may impart anti-inflammatory benefits by decreasing the production and release of inflammatory molecules, such as prostaglandin E2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, ginger may lower inflammatory markers associated with disease.
May Provide Pain Relief
Regularly drinking ginger tea may also help to alleviate pain. In fact, “ginger has been shown to be effective for reducing pain from menstrual cramping, especially when taken for the first few days of the menstrual phase,” says Bright. Additionally, ginger may also help relieve pain associated with muscle soreness, migraines, knee osteoarthritis and chronic lower back pain. These pain-reducing effects may be due, in part, to ginger’s potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
May Support Blood Sugar Regulation
Emerging research suggests that ginger may promote blood sugar control. According to a review, ginger may help lower fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C (a measure of blood glucose levels over a three-month period) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, experts believe that the compounds in ginger “promote glucose clearance in peripheral tissues, which is important for maintaining blood glucose balance and improving diabetes control,” says Ivanina. Simply put, ginger may aid in moving glucose from the bloodstream into cells, thereby reducing blood sugar levels.
Potential Risks and Precautions
Pouring a daily cup of ginger tea is unlikely to pose serious risks for most people. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers ginger safe by at doses of up to 4 grams. Fortunately, common ginger tea formulations contain around 1 to 1.5 grams per tea bag. However, if ginger is consumed in high amounts, it may cause several side effects, including “mild heartburn, diarrhea, and mouth irritation,” says Ivanina.
You should also be cautious of ginger consumption if you take certain medications. For example, “ginger has antiplatelet effects, which may increase the risk of bleeding if it’s used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, such as warfarin,” says Bright. “Also, because it may reduce blood sugar, consuming ginger alongside anti-diabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar),” Bright adds. “Ginger also might increase the risk of hypotension, or low blood pressure, when taken alongside calcium channel blockers, as it’s thought to share the same mechanism of action,” explains Bright. Therefore, you should talk to your doctor before making ginger tea a normal part of your daily routine—especially if you are taking the above medications or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Related: 3 Ways Turmeric Can Affect Your Medication, According to a Dietitian
How to Make Ginger Tea
Whether you decide to steep a tea bag of dried ginger or boil fresh ginger root, the preparation process is very similar and straightforward.
Step 1: If you opt for fresh ginger, begin by peeling (optional) and thinly slicing a 1-inch piece of the ginger root.
Step 2: Bring a cup of water and the sliced ginger root to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Once a rolling boil is reached, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes.
If you use a tea bag, simply boil a cup of water.
Step 3: Strain the tea into a cup and discard the ginger root.
For bagged ginger, pour the boiling hot water into a cup over the tea bag and steep for the recommended time in the product instructions.
Step 4: Serve warm and enjoy!
Optional Add-Ins: To enhance the flavor of your ginger tea, you can add a touch of sweetness with honey or maple syrup, add a few lemon, orange or pineapple slices, or simmer your ginger along with turmeric or cinnamon sticks.
Related: Our Favorite Way to Peel Ginger Is So Simple All You Need Is a Spoon
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good to drink ginger tea every day?
“As long as ginger tea is something you like, it doesn’t cause negative side effects for you, and it doesn’t interact with any of your other medications, supplements, and/or medical conditions, it’s fine to enjoy ginger tea every day,” says Bright.
Why is ginger tea good for your stomach?
Ginger tea can ease stomach discomfort associated with nausea and vomiting. Thanks to a compound called 6-gingerol, ginger has anti-nausea properties, which can relieve nausea and increase GI motility to help reduce the time you experience queasiness.
Is it good to drink ginger tea before bed?
“Yes, drinking ginger tea after dinner or before bed can help aid in digestion and gut motility,” says Ivanina. In addition, “ginger tea is a great caffeine-free option to drink before bed, especially if you experience muscle aches or pains as its anti-inflammatory properties may help to comfort these and help you get a better night’s sleep,” Bright adds.
Does ginger tea cleanse the stomach?
“While ginger may have specific benefits for the gastrointestinal system, it does not “cleanse” the stomach, nor does it participate in our body’s natural detoxification processes. However, it may help to ease stomach pain and even possibly prevent the growth of a common infection in the stomach caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria,” Bright explains.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a beverage that can help relieve nausea and vomiting, reduce inflammation, ward off pathogens, alleviate pain or support blood sugar control, look no further than ginger tea. This refreshing infusion is packed with several plant compounds that not only impart its distinctively spicy flavor but also give it its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiemetic properties. So, it is safe to say that the regular consumption of ginger tea may help improve health. However, you should always talk to your health care team before adding herbal teas to your dietary regimen, especially if you have a medical condition or take medications.
Related: 18 Recipes Featuring Ginger to Help Lower Blood Pressure
Read the original article on Eating Well.
