Ginger tea is a powerful beverage that has a variety of health benefits. It can improve digestive health, lower blood sugar and more.
Despite its healing properties, it’s best to drink ginger in moderation. Overconsumption can cause side effects such as heartburn and stomach upset.
1. Lowers Blood Sugar
Ginger tea is a natural alternative to medications that help regulate blood sugar levels. It helps manage diabetes because it encourages your body to produce insulin and reduces your blood sugar levels.
Several studies have shown that ginger can improve glucose control in patients with diabetes. In one study, people who drank ginger tea for 12 weeks had better fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c levels than those who did not drink ginger tea.
Another study found that ginger also lowered blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics, even without medication. This is because ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help lower your blood sugar level.
Aside from improving your glycemic control, ginger may also reduce your risk of heart disease and other health issues. It has antioxidant properties that can help fight inflammation and support weight loss.
In addition, ginger can help prevent the development of cataracts and slow down their progression. It also has calming effects that can lower your stress levels.
To make a cup of lemon ginger tea, add fresh ginger root to a saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer for five minutes or more, depending on your preference. Strain the tea into mugs or teacups and garnish with a thin slice of fresh lemon, if desired.
Adding lemon to your ginger tea can help to increase the antioxidant content of the drink and boost its nutritive benefits. In addition, the sour flavor of the lemon can help to balance out the spicy flavors of the ginger. Both lemon and ginger can also reduce oxidative stress in the body, which can help to keep your blood sugar levels steady.
2. Prevents Heart Disease
Taking ginger on a daily basis can help prevent heart disease. It can also improve blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and help fight inflammation.
In a study of more than 4,628 men and women, researchers found that those who consumed more ginger had a lower risk of heart disease than those who ate less. This was especially true in people over 18 years of age.
One of the main causes of heart disease is high cholesterol, which can clog your arteries and lead to a heart attack. The antioxidants in ginger can reduce cholesterol levels.
Another way ginger tea can help prevent heart disease is by improving blood circulation. The root also contains substances that can widen blood vessels and decrease blood pressure.
It also contains compounds that fight oxidative damage, which can cause disease-causing free radicals in your body. These free radicals can cause cancer, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and other conditions.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger can lower your risk for other chronic diseases such as diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. The antioxidants in ginger can also protect your brain from oxidative stress, which can cause cognitive decline and mental health issues like depression.
Moreover, it can help treat digestive problems such as heartburn and indigestion. It can also relieve nausea and vomiting. It can help control morning sickness in pregnant women and alleviate nausea associated with chemotherapy treatment. It can also improve blood clotting in some patients.
3. Fights Inflammation
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation is a normal immune response that occurs whenever your body detects a foreign substance, fights an infection or deals with an injury. However, chronic inflammation can be harmful to the body and is often a precursor to many chronic health conditions.
Although there are many benefits to drinking ginger tea, it’s important to note that too much of this spice can be bad for your health. Overconsumption of this spice can lead to digestive issues, a weak immune system and even cancer.
To get the most out of your ginger tea, be sure to use fresh, robust roots. Look for a root with a smooth skin and spicy fragrance.
Once you’ve sourced your ginger, add it to a pot of boiling water and let it steep for 10 to 20 minutes. This makes the most of the antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that can be found in the root.
The anti-inflammatory components of ginger include gingerol, shogaol and paradol, according to an article published in 2019. These substances can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause inflammation in the body.
This prevents the inflammatory process from occurring in the first place, making it an excellent way to improve your health. In addition, it can help fight off diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Inflammation is a natural part of the immune system’s response to disease and injury, but it can also be a problem if it becomes chronic. Constantly fighting inflammation can be difficult on the body, and may increase your risk of chronic disease, including diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
4. Relieves Stress
The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of ginger can help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. It can also improve the overall mental health of the person who is suffering from anxiety, enhancing mood and helping to banish negative thoughts.
The antioxidant compounds that are found in ginger can also relieve stress by promoting better blood flow and reducing the risk of high blood pressure. This can help prevent heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disorders.
In addition to its benefits as an anti-inflammatory, ginger can help you manage anxiety and stress by boosting serotonin levels. It can reduce inflammation that causes depression, and it can even treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ginger tea can be made by boiling a knob of fresh ginger root in water for 10-20 minutes. It isn’t necessary to peel the ginger root, although it may add more flavor if you do.
Besides being an effective stress reliever, ginger can also increase energy by balancing blood sugar. When you’re under stress, your body produces more insulin than usual, which can lead to weight gain and type 2 diabetes.
You can prevent the onset of stress and the associated health problems by drinking ginger tea regularly. This is because it lowers blood sugar and improves the function of your adrenal glands, which are responsible for managing the stress response system in your body.
This is because it helps to regulate your hormones, which in turn can improve your mood and promote a positive outlook. It also increases your immune system and protects you from viruses and bacteria that can cause illnesses.
It can also boost your brainpower, improve memory, and enhance focus and attention. Its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce oxidative stress in the brain, which is one of the causes of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Strengthens the Immune System
When you drink ginger tea, it helps boost your immune system by helping to prevent colds and flu. It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that improve coughs, lower fevers, fight infections, relieve headaches, and ease other symptoms associated with common colds and the flu.
The antioxidants in ginger help combat oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic disease. Oxidative stress can occur as a result of exposure to UV light, pollutants, and dietary choices.
This type of stress can cause the body to produce excess free radicals, which can damage cells and lead to chronic diseases like cancer. However, ginger contains a powerful antioxidant called shogaols that reduce this oxidative stress and help keep the body healthy.
Moreover, shogaols can also boost the immune system by inhibiting inflammation in your body. This can protect you against a variety of health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.
You can make a hot cup of ginger tea anytime of the day to help strengthen your immune system. The key is to brew the tea in boiling water, not just hot water, to help release all of the beneficial compounds that are in the ginger.
In addition to boosting your immune system, ginger tea can also improve blood flow and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. It can help decrease the amount of cholesterol in your blood and reduce blood pressure by increasing substances that widen blood vessels. Lastly, ginger can help keep your blood sugar levels in check by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing certain enzymes that break down carbohydrates and increase glucose metabolism.
