9 Incredible Benefits of Ginger Infusions
Used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine as a way to connect with spirituality, ginger has health benefits for both the body and mind. With the potential to regulate blood sugar levels, boost immunity, and reduce pain, drinking ginger tea is a great way to stay healthy.
These are the 9 benefits of ginger infusions that science has already studied:
- Relieves nausea
- Improves the respiratory system
- Boosts immunity
- Improves circulation
- Helps you lose weight
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Reduces bad cholesterol or LDL
- Take care of your brain health
Continue reading if you want to learn more about the benefits of ginger infusions.
What are ginger infusions?
Ginger tea is a caffeine-free infusion made with fresh or dried ginger root or powdered ginger. This root is a common ingredient in many kitchens. Ginger tea can be prepared by steeping dried ginger root, boiling fresh ginger, or dissolving powdered ginger in hot water.
With its warm, spicy flavor, ginger is one of the most common ingredients in herbal blends and one of the most important in Indian chai tea . Blended with cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, black peppercorns, and other spices, it becomes an incredibly soothing and comforting beverage.
The peculiar taste of ginger
Ginger has a spicy, powerful flavor that can be a bit intense for new palates. If ginger is too strong for your taste buds, you can use lemon or honey to tone it down.
Benefits of ginger infusions
Many of the benefits of ginger teas come from three important compounds: zingerone, shogaols, and gingerols, which give ginger root its spicy flavor. Gingerols are found in fresh ginger root. When cooked or dried, they form another compound: shogaol. Shogaols are present in dried ginger. Both can provide numerous health benefits, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergy properties.
1. Relieves nausea
Ginger has been used for centuries as a remedy for nausea and vomiting caused by morning sickness and motion sickness. A study conducted in Thailand found that when given 1 milligram of ginger daily, 28 of 32 participants experienced an improvement in pregnancy-related nausea. The study concluded that there were no detectable adverse effects in pregnant women.
2. Improves the respiratory system
If you suffer from allergies, drinking ginger tea can be a soothing way to relieve the respiratory effects of your allergies. Allergic rhinitis is an overreaction of the immune system to common stimuli. Ginger works to prevent the immune system's response that causes itchy, watery eyes, and sneezing.
Ginger is also beneficial for overall respiratory health and has been used as a healing root for 2,500 years. Ginger helps eliminate mucus, clearing the airways and making breathing easier. It also reduces inflammation that can cause wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest and throat.
3. Boosts immunity
Ginger can give your immune system the extra boost it needs to fight off the flu or a common cold. The gingerol and shogaol found in ginger fight free radicals and toxins that can cause illness.
Ginger infusions also contain antibacterial properties that help fight bacteria that can cause illness. Additionally, ginger's spicy kick can help loosen chest congestion that causes coughs and soothe a sore throat by reducing inflammation. Ginger also contains high levels of vitamin C and magnesium, which help clear colds more quickly.
4. Improves circulation
Healthy blood circulation can prevent dangerous diseases such as blood clots. Drinking ginger tea can help maintain optimal circulation, ensuring your body can perform the functions it needs to stay healthy. Ginger is a vasodilator that opens blood vessels and allows blood to flow more easily.
Ginger contains amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that improve circulation and protect heart health. By blocking fat absorption, ginger reduces the risk of heart disease by limiting its buildup in the arteries.
5. Helps you lose weight
If you want to lose weight faster, you may want to consider drinking ginger tea as part of your regular routine, as ginger has special compounds that facilitate weight loss.
Ginger can aid weight loss by helping the digestive system break down fats and blocking their absorption in the intestines. The same compounds that allow ginger to relieve nausea are also those that improve the efficiency of the digestive tract. Ginger also speeds up metabolism and controls appetite, making it a great supplement for maintaining a healthy diet.
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6 Regulates blood sugar levels
With the number of people suffering from diabetes increasing, more and more researchers are devoting time and effort to finding solutions and prevention for this disease. Ginger has shown promising results in the treatment of diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels.
A study conducted by the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences looked at 88 people who had had diabetes for 10 years or more. Participants who were given 1 gram of ginger powder three times a day showed decreased blood sugar levels after the eight-week study. Researchers believe ginger helps regulate blood sugar by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down glycogen, which can cause blood sugar spikes.
It's also important to note that the study was conducted alongside traditional medications prescribed by the diabetic participants. So, while drinking ginger tea won't cure diabetes, it may help regulate blood sugar levels.
7. Reduces pain and inflammation
Many people suffer from aches and pains caused by exercise or chronic illness. Drinking ginger tea can help relieve muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and osteoarthritis. The main reason for this health benefit is the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger root.
8. Reduces bad cholesterol or LDL
One of the leading causes of death in Spain is heart disease. Contributing factors include smoking, high cholesterol, and an unhealthy diet. Fortunately, if you suffer from high cholesterol and want to be healthier, ginger tea can help.
Drinking ginger tea can help you reduce dangerous triglycerides and bad cholesterol, or LDL. Ginger can increase circulation and reduce inflammation in the arteries while lowering cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of buildup in the arteries that can cause blood clots and heart attacks.
9. Take care of your brain health
Drinking ginger infusions can improve cognitive performance in middle-aged people, treat dementia, and help prevent neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Most of these benefits have been attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger root.
Studies have shown that ginger can help improve concentration and enhance memory, and although more research is needed, there is evidence that ginger consumption may have an effect that delays the cognitive impacts of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Contraindications of ginger infusions
In general, ginger teas don't have any significant side effects. Most nutrition experts and health professionals recommend consuming a maximum of 4 grams of ginger per day. Since each cup typically contains about 250 milligrams (0.25 grams), there's no need to worry about consuming too much. However, consuming ginger teas can cause some minor irritations, which are good to be aware of.
Heartburn
Consuming ginger can cause heartburn if you're not used to spicy foods. Consuming too much ginger can also cause diarrhea, so start with one or two cups a day and see how your body reacts.
Dizziness
Because ginger can lower blood pressure, you may occasionally experience dizziness or lightheadedness. You'd have to consume large amounts of ginger to experience these side effects, so if you stay within the recommended intake limits, you shouldn't experience any dizziness.
Interaction with medications
Ginger contains the same natural salicylates used in aspirin, which are responsible for thinning the blood. Taking ginger while taking blood thinners may increase your risk of bruising or complications. If you take blood thinners, consult your doctor before regularly drinking ginger tea.
Drink ginger infusions and feel healthy
Ginger infusions are used as a natural home remedy for a wide variety of ailments, ranging from nausea and stomach pain to reducing high cholesterol and protecting brain function. Remember to consult your doctor before using ginger as a substitute for or supplement to any medication.
