Ginger is well known as a medicinal ingredient, and yet few of us consume it every day! If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to start reaping the benefits of ginger, then you need to try ginger water.
What Is Ginger Water?
Ginger water is a simple and convenient way to consume the health-giving benefits of ginger root. It can be consumed hot, as more of a ginger tea, or cold as a refreshing pick-me-up. All you need to make ginger water is ginger and… you guessed it, water! So there’s no excuse not to give it a try.
Why Drink Ginger Water Every Day?
One of the easiest healthy habits to pick up is to drink enough water, so why not combine the benefits of proper hydration with the health benefits of ginger for a whole-body boost. Here are just six reasons why you should drink at least one glass of ginger water every day.
Ginger Water Is Good For Digestion
Drinking a glass of ginger water every day is a great way to support your digestive system. Not only does ginger help to prevent indigestion, but it also helps food to digest more easily. Ginger Water Helps To Lower Your Blood Sugar
Studies have shown ginger to be effective at lowering blood sugar levels in those with type-2 diabetes. Ginger Water Supports Weight Loss
Ginger is the perfect partner for those looking to lose weight. Not only does ginger help to heal some of the damage caused by obesity and excess weight, but it also helps to keep hunger cravings at bay and can even increase the number of calories you burn.Ginger Water Can Help To Reduce Inflammation
Ginger is a potent anti-inflammatory which means that it can help to reduce the symptoms of inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Even if you don’t have an inflammatory disease, ginger water can help to keep your overall inflammation levels under control. Ginger Water Is Good For Oral Health
Gingerol, a compound found in ginger, is an effective antimicrobial and has been found to kill some of the most common oral bacterias. Drinking ginger water every day can help you to keep the bacteria in your mouth under control, preventing bad breath and bacterial infections.
Ginger Water Can Help To Relieve Period Cramps
Lastly, ginger has been proven to be as effective as ibuprofen at relieving period cramps when consumed during the first three days of a woman’s period. Even if you don’t drink ginger water every day of the month, you may want to add it into your routine at this stage of your menstrual cycle.
How Do You Make Ginger Water?
If you want to make hot ginger water, then check out our post on ginger tea - but if you’re looking to make refreshing cold ginger water or a ginger shot - then read on.
How To Make Ginger Water
To make ginger water, grab your favorite water bottle and a thumb-size piece of fresh ginger. Although ginger tea can be made with both fresh and dried ginger, ginger water works best with fresh ginger.
- Scrape the skin from your ginger with a teaspoon. Ginger skin is bitter and isn’t pleasant to drink.
- Grab a cheese grater and grate your ginger on the finest side. The smaller your ginger is grated, the easier it is for the water to absorb its goodness.
- Fill your water bottle water. You can use room temperature water and add ice later on, or cold water if you prefer.
- Spoon your grated ginger into your bottle and secure the lid before giving it a good shake.
- Leave your ginger water to infuse for around 30 minutes or so, and you’ve got ginger water!
What If You Don’t Like Bits?
If you leave your ginger water standing in the fridge for 30 minutes, most of the ginger pieces will fall to the bottom, but you could still end up with some ginger in your mouth. If you don’t like bits, then here are our top tips.
Use a tea strainer.
You can purchase metal tea strainers and reusable tea bags reasonably cheaply online. Simply add your grated ginger to the strainer or tea bag before you infuse your ginger water, and then remove it before you enjoy your drink.Use an infuser water bottle.
Infuser water bottles have an internal compartment for you to add ingredients to your water. These compartments have small holes in which allow the water to circulate while keeping any larger chunks away from your mouth.
What If You Don’t Like The Taste?
Ginger can be an acquired flavor, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying ginger water. To make your drink more palatable, try adding in additional flavors such as some frozen fruit, a little honey for sweetness, or even some lemon juice. Have a play around with flavors and find what suits you.
How Do You Make A Ginger Shot?
A ginger shot is just a much more concentrated version of ginger water; in fact, some are so concentrated they don’t even contain any water at all! Generally speaking, ginger shots aren’t very tasty, which is why they’ve taken as a shot and are not savored like ginger water. To make a ginger shot, all you need to do is blend your ginger with a bit of water and then knock it back! To make them more palatable, some ginger shot recipes include fresh apples for a little sweetness.
FAQs
Some studies suggest that adding ginger to your diet can help reduce not only LDL cholesterol but also total cholesterol and triglycerides. This could lower your risk of heart problems and other cholesterol-related health issues.
What happens if you drink ginger water every day? ›
Some studies suggest that adding ginger to your diet can help reduce not only LDL cholesterol but also total cholesterol and triglycerides. This could lower your risk of heart problems and other cholesterol-related health issues.
What is the best time to drink ginger water? ›
Ginger tea can be consumed at any time of day. It works well as a pick-me-up first thing in the morning, but you may also find it helps after a meal to ease digestion. You can add fresh lemon or honey, or buy different flavoured tea bags, such as lemon and ginger or ginger green tea.
What are the 10 benefits of ginger? ›
Health Benefits of Ginger
- Fights Germs. 1/11. Certain chemical compounds in fresh ginger help your body ward off germs. ...
- Keeps Your Mouth Healthy. 2/11. ...
- Calms Nausea. 3/11. ...
- Soothes Sore Muscles. 4/11. ...
- Eases Arthritis Symptoms. 5/11. ...
- Curbs Cancer Growth. 6/11. ...
- Lowers Blood Sugar. 7/11. ...
- Eases Period Pains. 8/11.
One of the biggest ginger juice benefits is that it acts as a natural immune booster, fortifying the body against infections. The juice is also renowned for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, promoting stable energy throughout the day.
Does ginger water detox your body? ›
Some people use ginger water mixed with lemon juice as a detox. There is only anecdotal evidence to support this use. Since ginger may fight germs, illness, inflammation, and cancer-causing molecules, taking a little bit every day can support your overall health.
Is ginger water good for kidneys? ›
Our study confirms that ginger precludes the toxic impact of ethanol against kidney damage at both histological and biochemical levels. The findings of this study indicated that ethanol induced renal oxidative damage and ginger could improve all of these condition.
Does ginger water reduce belly fat? ›
Ginger Chia water is a natural remedy for weight loss and reducing inflammation and discomfort. The reason why experts suggest drinking this lukewarm detox water is because it naturally helps in targeting belly fat and also helps in reducing water weight and inflammation.
Does ginger detox your liver? ›
Ginger is widely used food as medicine due to its ability to “cleanse the body by stimulating digestion, circulation, and sweating. Its digestive actions may serve to cleanse the build-up of waste and toxins in the colon, liver, and other organs.”
What happens if we drink ginger water before bed? ›
Drinking lemon-ginger tea before bed may help improve mindfulness and hydration. It may also reduce indigestion, nasal congestion, and more. If you're among the 10–30% of adults who have difficulty falling or staying asleep, you may be looking for ways to get more rest ( 1 ).
Ginger is not just delicious. Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, benefits gastrointestinal motility ― the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process. Eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn't linger as long in the gut.
What diseases does ginger treat? ›
Ginger has also been used to help treat arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart conditions. It has been used to help treat the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and painful menstrual periods. Ginger is native to Asia where it has been used as a cooking spice for at least 4,400 years.
What are the side effects of ginger? ›
Ginger can have side effects such as abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation, especially if taken in large doses. Some studies of the use of ginger during pregnancy suggest it is safe, but the evidence is not conclusive.
What medications should not be taken with ginger? ›
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with GINGER. Ginger might slow blood clotting. Taking ginger along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Who should not drink ginger water? ›
People with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and gallstones should talk to their doctor before taking ginger as a supplement.
Is ginger better in the morning or night? ›
Ginger tea is great anytime during the day, but the best time to drink ginger tea is in the morning. When taken in the first 30 minutes after you awake, it helps your body end its overnight fast, charge up your metabolism, and prevent nausea.
What are the side effects of drinking ginger everyday? ›
It can cause mild side effects including heartburn, diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Taking higher doses of 5 grams daily increases the risk for side effects. When applied to the skin: Ginger is possibly safe when used short-term. It might cause skin irritation for some people.
Is too much ginger bad for the liver? ›
Fortunately, ginger is a food that has all the elements needed to prevent and treat liver problems. Experts suggest that ginger supplementation represents a new treatment strategy for NAFLD by improving the body's antioxidant activity, reducing inflammation and insulin resistance.
