10 Incredible Benefits of Ginger Tea

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

A cup of ginger tea can be one of the most revitalizing and warming beverages, provided you know how to prepare it, when to drink it, and what some of the possible side effects may be. Before adding this to your health regimen, you should understand what this tea contains, as well as the potential health benefits it may hold for you.

What is Ginger Tea?

Ginger tea, as the name implies, is a tea made from the ginger root or powdered ginger. For thousands of years, ginger root has been a valuable part of traditional medicine, particularly in the Ayurvedic tradition. However, its popularity has spread to the rest of the world, in large part because ginger is also one of the most useful and uniquely flavorful spices available. The rhizome (root) of ginger is the useful part of the Zingiber officinale plant and can be ground down into a powder, peeled and sliced, or even used in the whole form. [1]

The tea is easy to brew and has a number of powerful effects on the body, thanks to its impressive nutrient composition. Ginger tea is rich in various antioxidants, active ingredients, and organic compounds, as well as vitamin C and magnesium, among others. [2]

A cup of ginger root tea with halved gingers on a white background

Ginger root tea is very helpful in relieving your cold. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Ginger Tea Health Benefits

Some of the most notable health benefits of ginger tea include its ability to aid weight loss, boost the immune system, reduce pain and inflammation, potentially prevent certain types of cancer and optimize digestive processes, just to name a few.

Weight Loss

The active ingredients in ginger are known to speed up the metabolism, specifically due to their thermogenic qualities. This can increase your body’s level of passive fat-burning and aid weight loss efforts; ginger is also known to suppress the appetite, which can further help you shed those pounds. [3]

Anticancer Potential

A 2018 research study by Tayyeba Rehman and Qindeel Fatima shows that ginger has antimutagenic properties and anticarcinogenic activity. Further studies are required for the development of this herbal root as a therapeutic tool for cancer. However, not only does ginger tea have antioxidant properties, which can help reduce the presence of free radicals and oxidative stress in the body, it also has anti-nausea properties, making it ideal for people undergoing chemotherapy, as nausea and vomiting are some of the most common side effects of that treatment method. [4] [5]

Pain and Inflammation

The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger tea can help ease joint pain, soothe the stomach and prevent the triggering of pain receptors in the body. These analgesic properties affect every part of the body, particularly if you regularly consume this tea. [6]

Digestion

Ginger root is famous around the world for treating gastrointestinal problems. Ginger tea functions in much the same way and is able to optimize digestion by treating irritation in the gut. [7]

Immune System

Ginger tea does provide some amount of vitamin C, which is the body’s primary line of defense against infectious pathogens since it can stimulate the production of white blood cells. [8]

Circulation

The minerals and vitamins in ginger tea can help support healthy circulation, ensuring that resources and oxygen reach the parts of the body that need it most.

Respiratory System

This tea is commonly recommended for people with sore throats and other respiratory afflictions. It can act as an anti-inflammatory agent, as well as an expectorant, helping to eliminate mucus and phlegm, while also attacking the underlying infection. [9]

Menstrual Cramps

Women around the world use ginger tea as a remedy to effectively reduce painful menstrual cramps and balance hormonal levels during that difficult time of the month. [10]

Stress and Anxiety

Studies have found that gingerol and the other active ingredients in ginger tea can relieve anxiety by balancing hormone levels in the body. [11]

When to Take Ginger Tea?

Ginger tea is well known to have warming qualities, making it an ideal beverage for the autumn and winter months. Furthermore, at the very first sign of a cold or respiratory illness, ginger tea is an excellent first response to try and quickly knock out the infection. Furthermore, if you are feeling fatigued, stressed or under the weather in any way, ginger can provide an energetic and healthy boost to your life!

Word of Caution- Excessive consumption of ginger tea is not recommended, as it can have some negative side effects, such as gastrointestinal distress. For others with specific conditions, such as pregnancy, heart conditions, diabetes or bleeding disorders, ginger tea can exacerbate these problems. If you suffer from any chronic disease, speak to your doctor before adding ginger tea to your daily intake. [12]

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About the Author

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

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