As someone interested in health and fitness, you’ve probably heard of ginger, which is commonly used to spice up various dishes. Maybe you’ve even occasionally enjoyed ginger tea to experience some of its benefits.
But have you ever heard of ginger shots? The popular health beverage is touted for improving digestion and immune system function while limiting inflammation.
Read on to learn what ginger shots are, how and when to take them, what benefits they offer, and how to make them yourself.
Let’s dive in.
Why Ginger?
Ginger is a flowering plant from Southeastern Asia that grows to a meter in height. It produces green-purple flowers, but people are most interested in its root, which we’ll discuss in a moment.
The origins of ginger are unclear, but it’s believed that people in India and China have used the plant to make a health tonic for at least 5,000 years. Turmeric is a close relative to ginger and offers some similar benefits.
Today, ginger is famous worldwide and is primarily cultivated in humid tropical countries, including India and parts of China.
People use ginger root to produce tea, spices, and other products for culinary or medicinal purposes.
Why Are Ginger Shots The Best Way to Get Ginger?
At first glance, how you take ginger might not seem that important. However, it’s crucial to note that dried ginger contains less gingerol (the primary bioactive compound in ginger) than fresh ginger.
So, if you’re looking for a way to maximize the positive impact, consider fresh ginger.
Taking a ginger shot is the best way simply because it’s more convenient, and you consume all the beneficial compounds quickly in one gulp. In essence, all the benefits come in a single daily dose.
Plus, if you decide to make ginger shots yourself (more on that below), you can prepare them quickly and make many doses in advance.
How to Take Ginger Shots?
According to most sources, the ideal time for a ginger shot is early morning on an empty stomach. However, be careful because consuming more than one shot at a time can cause some heartburn or nausea.
Regarding ginger’s safety, experts agree that daily consumption is safe, but we should limit ourselves to no more than four grams (4,000 mg). Taking more isn’t necessarily dangerous, but you might experience acidity and heartburn.
For reference, the typical ginger shot contains anywhere from 1,800 to 6,000 mg of ginger. So, if you don’t consume any other ginger, you might be okay with two 1,800-mg shots or a single larger one.
Top Rated Ginger Shots You Can Buy
We tried and reveiwed the best ginger shots you can buy. The list below is ranked starting with the best.
1. +GNGR – Immunity Booster
Best Price: $46.99 at Amazon.com
Size: 2 FL Oz
Ginger Content: 35,000 MG
Additional Ingredients: Tumeric, Cayenne, Lemon
Base Liquid: Orange Juice
Storage: Needs to be refrigerated.
Buy Online:
– Amazon
– GNGRLabs.com
2. The Ginger People – Ginger Rescue Shots
Best Price: $39.19 at Amazon.com
Size: 2 FL Oz
Ginger Content: 18,000 MG
Additional Ingredients: Tumeric, Sugar, Lemon, Coconut Cream, Black Pepper
Base Liquid: Apple juice.
Storage: Does not to be refrigerated.
Buy Online:
– Amazon
– iHerb.com
3. KOR – Wellness Ginger Shot
Best Price: Price not available at Amazon.com
Size: 1.7 FL Oz
Ginger Content: Unknown
Additional Ingredients: Cayenne, Lemon
Base Liquid: Coconut Water
Storage: Needs to be refrigerated.
Buy Online:
– Amazon
4. Vive Organic – immunity Boost
Best Price: $46.99 at ViveOrganic.com
Size: 1.7 FL Oz
Ginger Content: 30,000 MG
Additional Ingredients: Tumeric, Lemon, Echinacea Root and Flower, Black Pepper
Base Liquid: Pineapple Juice
Storage: Needs to be refrigerated.
Buy Online:
– ViveOrganic.com
5. So Good So You – Immunity Ginger
Best Price: $3.99 each at Target.com
Size: 1.7 FL Oz
Ginger Content: 40,000 MG
Additional Ingredients: Honey, Cayenne,
Base Liquid: Orange Juice
Storage: Needs to be refrigerated.
Buy Online:
– Target.com
– Whole Foods via Amazon.com
6. Suja Organic – Immunity Defense
Best Price: $79.99 for 20 at SujaOrganic.com
Size: 1.7 FL Oz
Ginger Content: 7,000 MG
Additional Ingredients: Honey, Cayenne,
Base Liquid: Orange Juice
Storage: Needs to be refrigerated.
Buy Online:
– SujaOrganic.com
Ginger Health Benefits
1. Improved Digestion
Gingerol positively impacts gut motility––the process of moving food and liquids through the gastrointestinal tract.
The foods we consume exit the stomach more quickly and continue down the digestive tract, resulting in more efficient food digestion and absorption of nutrients.
These positive effects on gut motility can also reduce the risk of indigestion, which is thought to occur due to delayed stomach emptying following a meal. This can be particularly beneficial for athletes because better digestion would allow for larger pre-workout meals and improved athletic performance.
2. Immune System Strength
Ginger is renowned for its ability to strengthen the immune system. Its positive impact can be partially explained by its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions.
Take inflammation as an example. Acute inflammation has protective effects, but chronic, low-grade inflammation can harm our health and affect immune system strength.
Ginger supplies the body with potent antioxidants that protect from oxidative stress and limit inflammation.
Plus, many of the common ingredients in ginger shots, such as lemon juice and honey, are also rich in nutrients that promote immune system health.
3. Potential Weight Loss Effects
Weight loss will always require a calorie deficit. Eating fewer calories than you burn forces your body to break down lean and fatty tissue for the remaining energy it needs.
That said, some research indicates that ginger can contribute to weight loss thanks to its positive impact on fat-burning and appetite.
Put simply, ginger can stimulate fat breakdown for energy and help you feel full longer between meals, even on a calorie-restricted diet. As a result, you might find it easier to stick with your nutrition and reach your weight loss goals.
4. Improved Cardiovascular Health
Ginger can positively impact cardiovascular health in a couple of ways.
First, some data indicates ginger can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, putting people at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Second, thanks to its antioxidant abilities, ginger can protect the body from oxidative stress, reducing the amount of by-products that result from oxidation.
One prominent example is malondialdehyde (MDA). Elevated MDA is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
How to Make Your Own Ginger Shots
“Make Your Own” Ginger Shots in 10 Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound of fresh ginger root
- 5 medium-sized lemons
- ¼ cup of drinking water
- ¼ cup of honey (optional)
Directions
- Wash the ginger thoroughly and chop it up with a knife.
- Cut the lemons in halves and juice them into a bowl.
- Pour the lemon juice, water, ginger, and honey into a blender.
- Blend until you get a smooth, creamy texture.
- Place a clean kitchen towel over a fine-mesh strainer, position that over a medium-sized bowl, and pour the mixture inside. Let it drain for a few minutes.
- Once it stops dripping, grab the edges of the kitchen towel and squeeze the whole thing over the strainer until all the liquid is out.
- Discard the pulp, store the liquid in a bottle, and enjoy 50 ml shots.
FAQs
A ginger shot is a great way to supply your body with enough ginger from a quick dose, preferably in the morning, on an empty stomach. Ginger is linked to improved digestion, weight loss, a stronger immune system, and cardiovascular benefits.
You can take your ginger shot at the most convenient time, but most people agree that consuming it in the morning on an empty stomach is best.
Thanks to their rich nutritional profile and overall health benefits, ginger shots can be an excellent addition to a detox plan.
Ginger shots are safe and well-tolerated. The only potential issue is acidity, which can lead to some heartburn if you take a larger dose.
