In this day and age, we’re getting more health-conscious. We explore many ways on how to take care of our health, how to prevent diseases from entering our system, and how to treat the current illness we have our ginger shots benefits guide.
Not discounting the expertise of the medical professional, natural home food remedies are now regarded as one that helps treat an ongoing illness. With the many benefits ginger is known to offer, it’s worth a shot, along with your prescribed medicine.
Benefits ginger offers will not replace the prescriptions, but it does help in alleviating the symptoms and lead to fast recovery resulting in a healthy body.
Natural home food remedies are enjoyed and wanted by many because it is not very demanding to the wallet. This has been the first line of defense for some illness. The only time people will visit the doctor is if nothing happened after taking these natural home remedies for a specific observation period.
One of the home therapies is to use fresh herbs and plants around us. A sample of this is ginger which we all know has many benefits for the body. Apart from ginger being a usual ingredient in the recipe we’re cooking, based on studies, there are lots of therapeutic properties that we can enjoy from ginger root, giving us a healthy body. It contains kinds of stuff like gingerols, paradols, sesquiterpenes, shogaols, and zingerone that are needed in the fast recovery of a person in pain.
Ginger benefits those with lung problems such as asthma. It may also help alleviate nausea, hypertension, and even common colds. In this article, we will explore ginger deeper, particularly the popular ginger shot.
What Is A Ginger Shot?
A ginger shot is concentrated fresh ginger roots in liquid form. This is enjoyed by many people despite its strong taste. But for some who cannot stand the taste of pure ginger root juice, they mix it with other ingredients such as citrus lemon, honey, and other ingredients which are approved by their taste buds. Note that regardless of the ingredients mixed in grated or pounded ginger root, it is still called a ginger shot because of the high ginger root concentration.
A ginger shot can be bought from wellness stores. This usually comes in powder form. If you found a ginger shot and seems to be pricey for you, you may just create your ginger shot at home with ginger root. You will enjoy the same benefit of ginger shots. There are lots of recipes you may refer to.
But before you get excited in making or drinking a ginger shot, make sure you did your research or consulted your doctor to ensure that there will be no harm in taking this. Again, ginger shots are not to replace medication and may affect your health, such as your blood sugar. Just like other home remedies, it will just help whatever medication you are currently taking to increase one’s health and wellness.
Ginger Shots Benefits
So, what are the benefits of ginger? The benefits ginger shot offers are vast!
First, let’s focus on the main ingredient; Ginger root. There are many benefits of ginger, so if you were to ask, “is ginger good for you?” That’s a huge YES! In fact, fresh ginger was considered something healthy and used as a therapeutic ingredient in many Asian countries centuries before. Here are some of the benefits of ginger:
Anti-Inflammatory
Fresh ginger is composed of many compounds treating inflammation. Its high anti-inflammatory effect is the most known benefits of ginger.
There were studies on the benefits of fresh ginger conducted on diabetic patients. They were given ginger juice for 2 months. Results showed reduced production of an inflammatory protein in their system. Another study done was on male athletes. The same dosage of fresh ginger juice was given for 6 weeks and they also showed a reduced inflammatory protein.
This is the reason why lots of ginger products are used in addressing inflammation, redness, and pain. Athletes, gym buffs, and those in their elder years usually take fresh ginger juice to ease any pain felt, whether nausea or physical discomfort around your body, especially the back.
Because of its curative impact on inflammation, one common health issue that fresh ginger combats is colds. It has compounds named gingerols and shogaols that kill the rhinovirus that causes colds. Added to that is the cooling effect in the throat when ginger juice is taken. This eases out the post nasal drip that aggravated colds that may cause cough and asthma attacks.
Ginger Gets Rid of Migraine
No one likes the irritating migraine attacks that ruin their entire day! This is especially for those who are extremely stressed, hungover, or suffer from morning sickness.
Besides treating muscle pain, did you know fresh ginger root can also help with your migraines and nausea? One of the main benefits of ginger is its effectiveness against headaches and nausea, known as an old sea sickness remedy.
This is because ginger can help increase one’s serotonin levels, which is the messenger that’s involved with migraines. Besides this, the chemical compounds in ginger have pain-relieving effects that treat migraines, nausea, and vomiting, with the last two being symptoms of intense migraine attacks.
Lower Cholesterol Levels
Higher levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can increase the risk of heart diseases and other serious conditions. In one study with individuals who have high cholesterol, they were given three grams of fresh ginger root powder, which positively affected their cholesterol levels.
This study is also supported by another research on hypothyroid rats, as ginger extract lowered their LDL cholesterol levels, comparable to cholesterol-lowering drugs. Besides this, the studies showed how ginger reduced total cholesterol and their blood triglycerides.
May Improve Brain Function
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation is known to accelerate one’s aging process, which results in poor brain function. Because of this, it can cause cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s. Studies show that the bioactive compounds and antioxidants found in fresh ginger can help improve inflammatory responses happening in your brain, lessening the risk or age-related decline in the brain.
Furthermore, there is evidence on how fresh ginger root enhances one’s brain function. This ginger health benefit has shown to improve one’s working memory and reaction time! That’s why the drink can be taken by seniors, who can benefit a lot from the ginger juice.
Antioxidant
Ginger is rich in phytochemistry compounds. These compounds help ward off excess free radicals in the body. Free radicals are produced during energy production through oxidation. This process most of the time generates increased radicals that may only be eliminated through anti-oxidants. These radicals, if left undermined, cause the body to age fast, cause cancer, damage the hair, and even destroy the DNA.
The ginger compound responsible for its antioxidant effect is gingerol. Regular intake of ginger juice is recommended to intensify its antioxidant effect that will eliminate excess free radicals and maintain good blood sugar health.
Regulates Glucose
Diabetes Mellitus or Type 2 diabetes is the most common diabetes. Based on clinical studies, this is the most common endocrine disorder and many are afraid to catch one because of the high chances of complications that might happen in the body if left untreated. Good thing ginger shots were proven to reduce blood sugar level and help in optimizing the body’s insulin response when taken regularly.
An experiment was conducted to 22 individuals in ginger and 19 in placebo or 12 weeks. The results showed a reduced glucose during and even after the experiment, improving blood sugar levels and overall health and wellness.
A word of caution though, there is a tendency to overdose ginger, which can negatively affect your blood sugar. Make sure that you will not consume more than 4 grams of ginger in a day, whether it’s in a form of ginger shots or tablet or other ginger-based supplements.
Improved Blood Circulation
Our body needs healthy vessels for good circulation. If not, oxygen transport will be deprived. Some people are into medications to make their blood a little thinner or diluted so it won’t have a hard time traveling into the vessels.
And this is another one of the awesome health benefits of drinking ginger. Regular intake increases the flow by regulating its consistency. Ginger roots give an aspirin-like effect. But just be careful when having this. If you’ve been diagnosed with diluted or thinner consistency, please avoid drinking ginger aggressively. Just take a ginger shot occasionally for wellness.
Aids in Digestion
The stomach needs healthy acid to help it in digesting food. This is what is being produced when a ginger shot is taken especially every morning. We might have that notion that stomach acid is not good for your health. It is. It helps the stomach in the digestion and production of vitamins and minerals. It helps in preventing heartburn and bloated feelings after eating, keeping you in good health and wellness.
Weight Loss
A daily dose of ginger shots helps the stomach produce acid that helps in healthy digestion and metabolism. Your body’s metabolic rate is intensified hence, resulting in weight loss for some. We all know that if metabolism is slow, obesity comes after. Good thing ginger shots help prevent this from happening.
Aside from helping you lose weight, ginger shots may also be expected to support your muscle-building journey. It is mainly because ginger root tends to stimulate more acid production in the stomach. This may result in better metabolism. The additional acid produced within your body also aids in burning more fats and calories, which helps in your confidence and wellness.
While it does not aid in weight loss directly, the extra calories and fat burned with better metabolism still makes a huge difference. Besides this, it decreases the bloating feeling from better digestion. This can help with your overall feeling of confidence as you continue your weight loss journey.
Helps deal with some stomach issues
Another one of the great health benefits of ginger shots is that they serve as natural treatments for common stomach issues, like indigestion and bloating. This treatment even stimulates the smooth and proper movement of food through the stomach. It may lessen bloating and intestinal cramps as well as deal with indigestion.
You will also find it useful whenever you experience nausea, keeping your stomach in good health and free from vomiting.
Strengthens your immunity
A ginger shot may also strengthen your health and immune system with the aid of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can combat inflammation, which is the key to boosting the health of your immune system. Your immunity will also be further strengthened with ginger’s antibacterial and antiviral properties. Some ingredients used in a ginger shot, like lemon and honey, can work together in promoting better immune system health.
Combats infection
Fresh ginger root is known for having natural antimicrobial properties, making them capable of killing bacteria. Taking a ginger shot, therefore, aids in removing harmful bacteria that have been accumulated within your body. With that, expect the ginger shot to be a big help in protecting you from infections. Ginger also serves as an excellent natural antifungal agent, which may fight nasty fungus present in the body.
How to Make Ginger Shots
Even if you want it pure, you should mix it with lemon for a better taste experience. Fresh ginger roots alone has a high strong taste that you may not want. But it depends. If your taste buds agree with it, then drink it pure. If not, there are other ways on how to make it by mixing with other food ingredients that will enhance its strong taste so you can enjoy it.
How do I make ginger shots with a blender?
To make a ginger shot with a blender, all you need to do is to chop your ingredients to small and thin pieces. That way, it can go through the juicer or blender easier. Be sure to cut off all seeds and do not use the peel!
Afterwards, add everything to the juicer and blender, then allow it to do its thing. When using a juicer, push the harder ingredients through, following with softer ingredients. When using a blender, you can add ingredients in any order.
Once blended and juiced, divide it in small shot glasses and enjoy! You can even drink it as a juice, provided that you only added enough ginger made for safe consumption.
Ginger shots without a Juicer or Blender
Nothing to worry if you don’t have a blender or a juicer. The next best thing to do is to create a ginger hot tea. You still will reap the health benefits if it’s in the form or tea. This is almost the same procedure, but this time you will need to boil the ingredients together with the fresh ginger so the juices will be mixed and blended as a tea.
For best results, longer boiling time is recommended. 40-60 minutes is ideal. This is to make sure that all nutrients from the ginger and the other ingredients will be part of the tea. You can serve hot or cold.
Awesome Ginger Shots Recipe Ideas
There are many concoction recipes discovered by those who want to make ginger shots. This only proves that many health conscious are benefiting from ginger shots. In this article, we will highlight the best ginger shot recipes enjoyed by many all over the world. Note that in preparing ginger shots, you only have 2 choices. Either you juice or blend it, or you boil it. It’s your choice on how to create the ginger shot, depending on the tools you have at home.
When it is blended and stored in the fridge, the ginger shot may last up to 48 hours & When it is boiled, you can try and store your ginger shot for up to 1 week.
Ginger Honey Lemon Shot
Ingredients
• ½ Lemon
• 2 oz. ginger
• 1-2 spoonful of honey
This recipe when served hot is best for treating common colds because of the vitamin C from the lemon and soothing feeling from honey. For an added Vitamin C boost, you may add ½ orange and cayenne pepper in the mixture.
Ginger Oregano Shots
Ingredients
• 3 oz. ginger
• ½ Lemon
• 3 big leaves of oregano
This recipe is used as a healthy weight-loss regimen. People who tried this experienced a full feeling after. The juice prevents your appetite from boosting. This is also an energy booster from the lemon and its vitamin C. The oregano adds to the juice’s anti-bacterial effect. Surfers from Australia make this part of their juice before surfing.
Ginger Kale Shots
Ingredients
• 1 Apple
• 1 Cucumber
• 2 Kale Leaves
• ½ Lemon
• 3 oz. Ginger
While you can still boil all the ingredients together, this recipe is best prepared using a juicer or blender. Kale is considered the super food of this generation. There are lots of advantages Kale provide. It is a super antioxidant preventing cancer leading to a healthy body, as well as the other ingredients like lemon and cucumber.
Ginger Apple Shot
Ingredients
• 3 oz. ginger
• 1 oz. turmeric
• 1 small apple
• ½ cup of Club Soda
This is done by blending or boiling all ingredients then add the juice to the soda. This is great for weight loss.
Ginger Cherry Shots
Ingredients
• 3 oz. ginger
• 1 cup of cherries
This recipe is super antioxidant. Ginger itself is an antioxidant and cherries will double the antioxidant power of this recipe.
Ginger, Carrot & Garlic Shot
Ingredients
• 2 oz. ginger
• 1 carrot
• 1 small garlic clove
This recipe is used for an immunity boost coming from the garlic. The carrot will couple it with a vitamin C boost.
Ginger Lemon Coconut Shot
Ingredients
• 2 oz. ginger
• ½ lemon
• Coconut Water
Lemon dilutes the strong taste of ginger. If the mixture of these 2 ingredients isn’t enough, you can dilute the strong ginger taste more by mixing it with coconut water. This recipe gives an immunity boost.
Ginger Cayenne Shot
Ingredients
• 2.5 oz. ginger
• Cayenne Pepper
The very strong taste of the 2 ingredients will surely fire up your breath. This is a sure way to perk up your day. This is good for treating chronic colds.
Ginger Beetroot Lemon Shots
Ingredients
• 1 Beetroot with tops if possible
• 2.5 oz. ginger
• 1 Lemon
This recipe is for an immunity boost.
Ginger Cayenne Lemon Shots
Ingredients
• Large knob of ginger
• Pinch of Cayenne
• ½ lemon
Cayenne adds up to the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger. When taken regularly it enhances your vision, skin, and mental condition.
Ginger Turmeric Shot
Best Time to Drink Ginger Shots
For you to ensure that you will reap the good health benefits of your ginger juice recipe, it is important to know the best time to take a ginger shot. The answer varies depending on the health benefits.
It is okay to drink your ginger shot in the morning with an empty stomach. Since a ginger shot enhances the absorption of stomach acid, it prevents nausea, helps in digestion, and helps the stomach absorb more nutrients while maintaining better blood sugar. When mixed with an energy booster like oregano, it is, of course, not advisable to make ginger juice and take it at night when you’re about to sleep. You’ll end up awake the whole night after taking ginger juice.
Bottom line, before you drink your ginger shot, check the impact of the other ingredients like sugar and lemon to your body. Do not always think that the effect in other people will be the same in you. You need to try and feel for yourself.
Ginger Shots Benefits Frequently Asked Questions
Do ginger shots help you lose weight?
Yes, ginger shots can support weight loss. Taking them in the morning can help you start your day correctly while stimulating your metabolism. Aside from helping you lose weight, ginger shots can also be expected to support your muscle-building journey. It is mainly because ginger root tends to stimulate more acid production in the stomach. This can result in better metabolism. The additional acid produced within your body also aids in burning more fats and calories.
How often should you do ginger shots?
You can take advantage of ginger shots once every day. You can make the ginger shot a part of your regular diet if you want to improve your body and overall health and strengthen your immunity. It is also helpful as an antioxidant as the ginger root used in it can combat toxins and free radicals within your body, as well as maintain blood sugar.
Can I take a ginger shot on an empty stomach?
Yes, you can take a ginger shot on an empty stomach. However, many still prefer to have it after they have already eaten food because doing so makes them feel more comfortable. It also helps avoid an upset stomach and negatively affecting blood sugar.
What happens when you drink ginger every day?
Drinking a ginger shot every day can produce plenty of amazing health benefits for your health and body. The daily consumption of it will let your body take advantage of its powerful components designed to reduce your blood sugar level and your risk of dealing with a heart ailment. Besides blood sugar, consuming a ginger shot daily may control insulin production for diabetic patients who have serious disease or conditions.
Are ginger shots good for colds?
Yes, ginger shots and juice are extremely useful in preventing colds. It is because of the shots’ main properties that can boost or strengthen your immunity. You can further boost their ability to fight the common colds by incorporating other ingredients, like lemon, apple, and turmeric. You can even help them fight the flu because of their natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Are ginger shots good for your skin?
Yes, ginger shots could work wonders for your skin. If you are dealing with acne then you can take advantage of these shots to improve your skin. It is because ginger contains antiseptic properties designed to fight bacteria-causing pimples and acne. It helps lighten scars, especially when incorporating lemon to it.
How much fresh ginger is too much?
It is highly recommended to consume a max of 3 to 4 grams of ginger in their juice daily. Make sure to stick to that recommendation as too much of it might only lead to unwanted results. Pregnant women are advised not to consume over one gram of ginger daily.
Conclusion
We are in a generation where home and natural remedy is making waves. And with the ginger shots properties shared on the internet, it is no longer difficult to find and try to prove if this is effective. But then again, we must always be reminded that our reaction to a particular substance will differ because we have different physiological identities, like our DNAs.
We can always try and enjoy natural remedies like ginger shot, observe, and assess if it works for us. If it works, then, by all means, go and continue taking it. If not, to stop is the next best thing to do. Not because it is natural, it is already safe to try for consumption. It is always a case to case basis and you should always be prioritizing your health.
Nonetheless, with this information shared, now is the best time to try taking ginger shots and see for yourself the health benefits it provides, from better blood sugar levels to less migraines. Include it in your daily routine and read up on more recipes to reap lasting results.