Ginger tea is a popular drink many people turn to for its healing properties. It’s often used as an ingredient in cooking and herbal remedies due to the medicinal benefits it is said to offer. Ginger tea is claimed to help alleviate pain, soothe sore throats, and reduce nausea, while also being low in calories.
As with any food or beverage, there are some health risks associated with ginger tea if consumed improperly or too much. There are few side effects of ginger tea but they can be very unpleasant. Read on to learn more about the nutrition facts of this delicious drink and how best to enjoy it.
Read more: Mate Tea Facts, Health Benefits And Side Effects
Ginger Tea Nutrition Facts
Ginger contains compounds, such as shogaols and gingerols, that might be beneficial to a person’s health. One teaspoon of fresh ginger contains approximately:
- Calories: 2
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0.4 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
It also contains trace quantities of some vitamins and minerals including:
- B vitamins
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Copper
Ginger Tea Health Benefits
Drinking ginger tea may offer the following health benefits:
Contains Gingerol That Has Powerful Properties
The gingerols are the active components in ginger that are responsible for many of its potential health benefits. These compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects (1).
May Prevent Nausea And Vomiting
Ginger is known to reduce nausea and vomiting associated with post-anesthesia, cancer treatment, and motion sickness. It may also relieve morning sickness in early pregnancy (7).
BetterMe app is a foolproof way to go from zero to a weight loss hero in a safe and sustainable way! What are you waiting for? Start transforming your body now!
May Enhance Muscle Recovery
Although more research is needed, ginger seems to decrease muscle pain caused by exercise and speed up recovery after exercise (12). The reason lies in the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger.
Improves Blood Sugar Control
Several studies indicate that ginger might help lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes mellitus or prediabetes (11).
May Reduce Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is linked to many health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. Preliminary evidence suggests that ginger may help reduce chronic inflammation (7).
May Help Soothe Sore Throats And Colds
Ginger has long been used as a folk remedy for sore throats and colds. Some evidence suggests that it may help reduce inflammation and pain in the throat and have antibacterial properties.
Read more: Tea That Makes You Lose Weight: Health Benefits And Side Effects
May Help With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver and causes inflammation. Some evidence suggests that ginger may help reduce steatosis (fatty deposits) and inflammation of the liver (9).
May Help With Weight Loss
Ginger might reduce feelings of hunger, which can help you eat less if you are trying to lose weight (5).
May Aid Digestion
Ginger may help relieve indigestion, gas, and bloating (6).
May Help Alleviate Menstrual Symptoms
Some women report relief from menstrual cramps, nausea, and vomiting when they drink ginger tea during their periods (3). However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.
Low In Calories And Saturated Fat
Ginger tea contains very few calories and no saturated fat. This makes it a smart choice for people who are trying to lose weight.
Dropping pounds by the dozens without putting yourself through the wringer is everyone’s weight loss pipe dream. But what if we told you that the BetterMe app can make that happen? Keep yourself in prime shape with our fat-blasting workouts, delicious budget-sparing recipes, and body-transforming challenges with our app!
Ginger Tea Side Effects
While ginger tea is generally safe for most people, drinking too many cups of brewed ginger tea per day is inadvisable. Excessive consumption may cause (4):
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Upset stomach
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ginger is likely safe in typical amounts when eaten in foods. Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about using it for nausea in pregnancy. If you are taking medication for diabetes or blood-thinning medication, or calcium channel blockers or certain antibiotics, consult your healthcare provider before drinking ginger tea, as it may interfere with the effectiveness of these medications.
The Bottom Line
Ginger root tea has many potential health benefits and is generally thought to be safe. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your healthcare provider before drinking ginger tea. Ginger tea can be brewed fresh or bought pre-packaged. Enjoy a cup today!
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
SOURCES:
- Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity: Review of Current Evidence (2013, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Effects of Ginger and Its Constituents on Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation and Calcium Regulation (2013, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Efficacy of Oral Ginger (Zingiber officinale) for Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2016, hindawi.com)
- GINGER: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (n.d., webmd.com)
- Ginger consumption enhances the thermic effect of food and promotes feelings of satiety without affecting metabolic and hormonal parameters in overweight men: A pilot study (2012, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials (2018, onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
- Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials (2020, mdpi.com)
- Ginger Root Tea: Is It Good For You? Pros and Cons, Nutrition Information, and More (2020, webmd.com)
- Ginger Supplementation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study (2016, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- The Amazing and Mighty Ginger – Herbal Medicine (2011, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar, Hemoglobin A1c, Apolipoprotein B, Apolipoprotein AI and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients (2015, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- The Effects of Pre-Exercise Ginger Supplementation on Muscle Damage and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (2015, onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
