Is Ginger Tea Healthy?
Ginger tea, refreshing and spicy, but is it healthy? And why? Find out why you should choose ginger tea!
Is ginger tea healthy?
Ginger tea is very healthy, provided it does not contain sugar or honey. Ginger could possibly provide a longer feeling of satiety and protect against various diseases. This tea is also a good substitute for sugar-containing drinks.
What is ginger tea?
A cup of ginger tea is made from boiling water and fresh ginger. Ginger is the underground part of the stem (rhizome) of the tuber of the ginger plant. According to some cultures, this is a medicinal plant.
There are also ready-made ginger tea bags. However, these often contain hardly any ginger. Therefore, make ginger tea yourself if you want to enjoy the health benefits of this tea.
You can also combine ginger tea with many other ingredients, such as cinnamon, turmeric and mint. This way you can vary widely with ginger tea in a healthy way.
What are the health benefits of ginger tea?
Drinking ginger tea can have several health benefits. The health benefits are very similar to the health benefits of fresh ginger . This could provide a saturated effect. Some of the health benefits are listed below.
It has a moisturizing effect
Your body needs sufficient fluid to function properly. On average we need 2 liters of fluid per day. When you exercise and during hot days, you need more fluid. Healthy choices for fluids include water, tea and coffee (without sugar). Ginger tea also goes well with this. A major advantage of ginger tea is that it has a flavor, which many people like as a change with water.
It may work saturated
There are several studies in which ginger appears to have a satiating effect. This is evident, for example, from a study among overweight men. Drinking more fluids can also make you feel full. Many people confuse the ‘hunger stimulus’ with the ‘thirst stimulus’, because they are very similar.
By drinking more you prevent yourself from feeling thirsty. This stimulus only comes when you are thirsty and you actually have to drink before that. Both effects can make it easier to maintain or lose weight.
A healthy weight means you have a lower risk of developing weight-related diseases, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (metabolic complaints).
Ginger helps against nausea
Ginger may reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, during pregnancy and after some operations, according to several studies. For example, a study was conducted among 100 subjects who were undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Half of the group of test subjects used ginger tea. This group suffered less from nausea, vomiting and retching. The fear of this also decreased in this group of subjects. Are you pregnant? Then it is definitely worth a try!
It is said to have a diuretic effect
Ginger is said to have a diuretic effect. Whether this is really the case has not yet been scientifically proven. Many people notice this in practice. Do you suffer from fluid retention? Then you can definitely try ginger tea. Be careful not to drink too much ginger tea, because that is detrimental if you already suffer from fluid retention.
It contains antioxidants
Ginger tea contains gingerol, a powerful anti-inflammatory. Gingerol is an antioxidant that can protect our body against diseases. Antioxidants play an important role in neutralizing free radicals, which arise as a result of normal body processes and external factors such as smoking.
Free radicals can cause damage to tissues and cells. In the long term, this damage can lead to diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. With ginger tea we can provide our body with antioxidants. This way you have a lower risk of inflammation and you protect yourself against certain diseases.
Because you do not use the entire ginger with ginger tea, you get a lot fewer antioxidants than if you eat whole ginger. In our article health and ginger you can read more about all the health effects of ginger.
In addition to ginger tea, there are also more and more other products containing ginger, such as ginger shots and ginger ale. These variants often contain a lot of sugar, which makes them less healthy.
RESUME
Ginger tea is hydrating and can help you maintain a healthy weight or even lose weight. Ginger tea is also said to contain medicinal substances. Unfortunately, more research needs to be done before there is hard evidence for this.
Is ginger tea good for weight loss?
Are you curious whether ginger tea can also help you lose weight? Of course. Ginger tea won’t help you lose many pounds, but it can contribute to your weight loss journey. Replace sugar-containing drinks with ginger tea, for example.
You can read more about this in our article ginger tea and losing weight . In our article ginger and losing weight you can read about how fresh ginger can help you lose weight.
There is also ginger oil on the market, which is said to help with weight loss. You can read more about this in our article about ginger oil and losing weight .
How much ginger in ginger tea?
For ginger tea you only need a few strips of fresh ginger, namely eight to ten thin slices. Want a stronger cup of ginger tea? Use ten to twelve thin slices.
Can you detox with ginger tea?
There is no evidence that ginger tea cleanses your body of toxins or waste. Moreover, detoxing is not necessary. You already have a natural waste processing system for cleaning up potentially toxic and foreign substances: your liver.
When is ginger tea dangerous?
Now you may be wondering, ‘Can ginger tea also be dangerous?’ For most people, ginger tea is not dangerous. Ginger tea can be dangerous if used excessively. Too much ginger can lead to palpitations and stomach and intestinal complaints, such as bloating.
Fortunately, it is not easy to ingest too much ginger. So you can safely drink a few cups of ginger tea every day without worrying.
However, it is easier to drink too much fluid. A disruption of your fluid balance can be dangerous, leading to heart problems and nutrient deficiencies, for example.
If you are allergic to ginger, ginger tea can also be dangerous. Fortunately, an allergy to spices is very rare.
There are indications that ginger can lower blood sugar levels and have a blood-thinning effect. Are you taking blood thinners or medications for your blood sugar levels? Then discuss the use of ginger tea with a healthcare professional [6].
Can you drink ginger tea before going to bed?
In principle, you can drink ginger tea before going to bed. It is naturally caffeine-free, so you don’t have to worry about a sleepless night. This applies to all types of herbal tea, such as mint tea and chamomile tea .
Green tea and matcha tea do contain caffeine, but not as much as coffee . These types of tea contain about half as much caffeine as coffee. Do you often have to go to the toilet at night? Then don’t drink anything a few hours before going to sleep.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, fresh ginger tea is an excellent part of a healthy diet. Preferably drink the tea without honey and sugar. Would you like to make the tea a little sweeter? Then use the natural sweetener stevia.
Ginger tea can help you stay hydrated and keep you feeling full. It is also an excellent substitute for sugar-containing drinks.