When You Drink Ginger Tea Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Body
Ginger tea has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a wide variety of ailments, registered dietitian Hayley Cimring divulged to The List. Still, you might not think of it as a morning beverage. Although plenty of Americans enjoy starting their day with coffee, it's also common to kickstart the morning with a cuppa. With so many varieties available — from black tea to green tea — you can enjoy any number of flavors either in a steaming mug or iced cold. Ginger tea, in particular, has a pleasant, sweet taste along with a zing that wakes up the taste buds and gives your breath a nice cleanse — and who doesn't need that in the morning?
Whether you enjoy a cup or more of ginger tea on a regular basis or are just considering adding it to your diet, you're probably wondering the effects it has on your health. The List talked to the experts and found out exactly what happens to your body when you drink ginger tea every day.
If you're pregnant, you may want to start drinking ginger tea every day
Chances are you've taken the struggle bus to morning sickness town if you've ever been, or currently are, pregnant. In fact, two-thirds of people who get pregnant suffer from the condition, according to the Cornell Chronicle, which shows just how widespread it is.
If you're attempting to stave off nausea thanks to a bun in the oven, you should consider brewing a cup of ginger tea to keep the vomiting at bay, says certified personal trainer Jamie Hickey. "It's a great home remedy for pregnant women who are experiencing morning sickness," he explained to The List. "Ginger has been used to cure nausea from sea sickness and car sickness. It has also been used in relieving nausea in chemotherapy patients." Yes, ginger is well-equipped to combat all kinds of upset stomachs.
If you're not pregnant but suffer from menstrual discomfort, ginger tea can help with that too, according to nutritionist Katie Boyd. "It will also help with any bloating you may experience especially around that time of the month," she revealed.
You will boost your immunity if you drink ginger tea every day
If you're looking for a natural way to boost your immune system while still not breaking the bank, you may want to consider adding ginger tea to your daily beverage regimen, advised registered dietitian Hayley Cimring. "Ginger has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, not to mention vitamin C," the expert told The List. "This makes it an excellent natural remedy for supporting a healthy immune system."
But, how exactly does ginger tea work to strengthen your immune system? "The ginger root contains compounds called gingerols, shogaol and paradols," Cimring continued. "These cool little compounds are capable of supporting your body's fight against inflammation and free radicals."
While drinking ginger tea is not a cure-all by any means, it certainly can't hurt to have an additional tool in your anti-illness arsenal. And, you know, it doesn't taste half bad either.
Your mouth will thank you if you drink ginger tea every day
Oral hygiene is, as you well know, all kinds of important, which is why you need to brush your teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time, use the right equipment, have the proper technique, and make sure to floss every day, according to the Mayo Clinic. In doing so, you can protect yourself against tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can take quite the toll on your beautiful pearly whites. Regular checkups at the dentist are also vital for a healthy mouth, as is quitting smoking.
But, if you already do all these things are simply looking to add another layer of protection to your oral hygiene regimen, why not drink ginger tea every day? Henry Hackney, a doctor of dental medicine, told The List, "Its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties kill harmful germs and as a result, keep cavities away." He continued, saying, "Moreover, using ginger daily supports plaque reduction and strengthens your gums."
Note that you'll want to refrain from adding sugar to your ginger tea, however, as drinking sugary beverages can contribute to tooth decay, as noted by the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.
Struggling with tooth pain? Drink ginger tea every day
If you've ever experienced a toothache, you well know just how painful and distracting it can be. Fortunately, drinking ginger tea every day can help you deal with that ache, Mike Golpa, doctor of dental surgery, revealed to The List. How? "Raffinose, the main active ingredient in ginger, is a big help in soothing various dental pains," the expert further explained. "Toothaches caused by infection can be diminished by applying some ginger on it, the same for easing swelling gums." He also advised that you let the ginger tea cool down some before drinking it so as not to irritate the vulnerable spot in your mouth.
Of course, it is inevitable that you're going to have to do more than that at some point in time, revealed Henry Hackney, a dentist based in the Chicago area of Illinois. "Please remember that this is just a temporary solution, and a dental visit is a must," he cautioned when speaking to The List. But certainly having a natural and healthy way to deal with the ache leading up to your appointment is super helpful.
Drinking ginger tea every day can help with indigestion
Most people know the discomfort that comes with eating a meal that's too large, something that can happen on Thanksgiving, game day, or when you're out at your favorite restaurant and overdo it. But if you find yourself suffering with heartburn more than two times per week, you may help make up the 15 to 30 percent of Americans who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to Healthline.
If you fall into that category, you may find that drinking ginger tea every day helps you fight GERD, certified personal trainer Jamie Hickey explained to The List. "One of the benefits of ginger tea is that it will help speed up the process of digestion, helping you to empty your stomach and alleviate indigestion and heartburn," he continued. "Failure to empty your stomach contents is the main reason you'll experience indigestion."
Ginger tea is completely natural so if it works for you, awesome! If it doesn't, though, be sure to talk to your doctor to see what medical options are available, both over-the-counter and prescription.
Drinking ginger tea every day can help keep you regular
Drinking ginger tea every day can help you combat a particularly troublesome issue that stems from digestion. According to registered dietitian Amanda A. Kostro Miller, ginger tea is particularly beneficial to the lower part of your digestive tract. "Ginger can help with bowel regulation and annoying bloat," she revealed to The List. "Ginger works on the digestive tract to reduce gas and bloating as well as increase GI movement to relieve constipation."
Ginger tea doesn't just help get things moving though. If you're struggling with the opposite issue, diarrhea, sipping on a mug of ginger tea on the reg may just be able to give you some relief. According to Healthline, Eastern practitioners have been prescribing ginger tea as a remedy for loose stool for thousands of years. That's because it has antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe an irritated colon. On top of that, drinking ginger tea can help to re-hydrate you after an episode of diarrhea, which is vital.
Drinking ginger tea every day can help you fight chronic inflammation
When you cut your hand or sprain your ankle, you probably notice that your body reacts by becoming inflamed in order to facilitate the healing process. And while that's a normal and healthy response to injury, not all inflammation is beneficial to the body, according to NPR. Specifically, chronic, low-level inflammation can lead to an increased risk of diseases like diabetes and depression, to name just a few.
If you're concerned about the inflammation levels in your body and want to try battling it naturally, nutritionist Katie Boyd advises sipping on ginger tea every day. "The biggest win that I receive from drinking ginger tea is it supports a natural inflammatory response," she told The List. That in turn can lower your risk of disease.
That's not all decreasing inflammation can do. It can actually help you look better in addition to feel healthier. "The less inflammation the less bloat. The less bloat the leaner and more vibrant you look," Boyd continued. "Who doesn't strive for that?"
Your cancer risk may drop if you drink ginger tea every day
Some people are willing to do whatever it takes in order to decrease the odds that they'll get cancer. Whether they start cutting down on the amount of red meat they consume or choose to stop drinking alcohol – both of which can help you reduce your cancer risk — many find it's simply worth it to have a little more piece of mind, even if you miss the burgers and the beer.
Fortunately, drinking ginger tea every day is another way you can help prevent cancer, as noted by registered dietitian Amanda A. Kostro Miller. "You're getting an antioxidant boost," she revealed to The List. "Ginger contains many antioxidants (e.g. vitamin C) and nutrients (e.g. potassium) to combat overall inflammation and disease." And one of those diseases is, of course, cancer.
There's additional science out there on the topic as well. As the PLOS One journal revealed in 2015, researchers concluded that ginger can help stave off pancreatic cancer. Plus, a study in the journal Nutrients found that ginger can put the kibosh on colorectal cancer cells. Now that's some great news!
You will balance your blood sugar levels if you drink ginger tea every day
Your blood sugar level is the amount of glucose that's found within your blood, which, when it's at a healthy level, nourishes your cells and keeps your body functioning, according to MedlinePlus. When you have too much glucose in your blood, though, it can cause damage to your body. That's why it's so important to ensure your blood sugar stays within a normal range.
In addition to eating a healthy diet and keeping a regular eating schedule, sipping on ginger tea every day can help you balance your blood sugar, as noted by registered dietitian Hayley Cimring. "According to research, ginger tea can be a secret weapon in keeping your blood sugar levels healthy and has long-term benefits in supporting healthy blood sugar," she explained to The List.
That can in turn keep you feeling healthy in a variety of ways, says Cimring. "Keeping your blood sugar in check can give you more energy, help manage cravings, can aid in weight management and help you sleep better," she continued.
You may lose weight if you drink ginger tea every day
According to Time magazine, 49 percent of all Americans are trying to lose weight — practically one out of every two people — which is quite a staggering statistic! Additionally, they're doing so by either eating less, exercising more, avoiding fast food and junk food, drinking more water, or some combination thereof.
If you're one of the folks looking to get a little leaner, certified personal trainer Jamie Hickey recommended drinking ginger tea every day. "The ginger root contains properties known as gingerols and shogaols which aid in the body's biological activities," he shared with The List. "In other words," he explained, "they increase your metabolism and work to reduce your cholesterol levels."
While drinking ginger tea alone isn't going to cut it, it can help you fit into those skinny jeans if you combine the habit with some other healthy choices, said Hickey. "If you add ginger tea to your daily diet accompanied with the correct type of fitness and nutrition plan it can be a great aid in reaching your goals," he added.
Your mental focus will improve if you drink ginger tea every day
According to the CDC, approximately six million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and that number is expected to almost triple in the decades to come. Plus, two-thirds of that population are women, showing how important it is for ladies to be aware of their risk factors. To that end, the CDC encourages people to adapt healthy behaviors to combat Alzheimer's disease, including lowering your blood pressure, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and preventing and managing diabetes.
Are you looking for additional ways to prevent this disease and its related complications? As it turns out, if you drink ginger tea every day, you can protect your noggin. "Consuming ginger tea has been linked to supporting your brain health," registered dietitian Hayley Cimring told The List. "Studies using ginger extract have shown that it can improve cognitive function and enhance working memory." Of course, ginger tea isn't a magic bullet, but if it helps, it helps!
Drinking ginger tea every day is good for your heart
Drinking ginger tea every day can make your heart happy. According to a 2017 study in the journal Nutrition, which surveyed 4,628 individuals — 2,805 women and 1,823 men — between the ages of 18 and 77, consumption of ginger was shown to decrease the risk of high blood pressure. Additionally, researchers concluded that consuming ginger lowers your chance of having a heart attack and developing blood clots as well as lowers your cholesterol levels and improves your blood circulation, according to Healthline. That's pretty impressive for one humble herb.
But wait, there's more! According to a study in Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, scientists found that the consumption of ginger helped to decrease heart abnormalities in rats that had diabetes. While more research is needed to see how effective that would be in humans, it certainly bodes well for daily ginger tea-drinkers.
Drinking ginger tea every day can cause issues for some people
Drinking ginger tea every day certainly has a lot of health benefits, as noted by Medical News Today. But are there any risks or dangers that could be lurking in your daily mug of steamy ginger goodness? Unfortunately, yes.
According to an article in Healthline, there are a few small things a person should consider before brewing themselves some ginger tea. For one thing — and perhaps the most obvious one — if you're allergic to the pungent root you should not consume it in any form, including in tea.
It's also not advisable for anyone to consume more than four grams of ginger per day — but that would be difficult unless you're constantly drinking copious amounts of ginger tea. Furthermore, since ginger lowers blood pressure, it may cause lightheadedness. So if you have a blood disorder, you should talk to your doctor before drinking ginger tea. Lastly, while some people say that ginger stimulates bile production, there's no evidence to prove it. As such, anyone who has a history of gallbladder problems should seek the advice of their doctor before drinking ginger tea.
Drinking ginger tea every day may benefit your body more than other kinds of tea
For most people, ginger tea is a sure bet. Registered dietitian Hayley Cimring sees no problem with the majority of folks consuming the beverage. "Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for many ailments," she shared with The List. "It is, in fact, regarded as one of the healthiest spices around!"
In fact, ginger tea is so good for you that it's perhaps even preferable to other teas, according to Cimring. "So, move over green tea," she continued. "Ginger tea is one of the simplest ways to avail yourself of a myriad of health benefits."
You can also add flavors to your ginger tea to enhance it, such as lemon, lime, or mint. And if you're able to safely have sugar, adding a splash of honey or agave will sweeten things up. Finally, if you're more of a milk tea type, bring on the moo juice, says Healthline.