Can a juicer juice ginger?
Juicing has become an increasingly popular way to get more nutrients into your diet. Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that can provide health benefits. Juicing allows you to consume larger quantities of these beneficial nutrients than you could typically eat whole. One vegetable that is becoming more popular to add to juice blends is ginger.
Ginger root contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and antimicrobial agents. It has long been used in traditional medicine to treat nausea, digestive issues, pain, colds and flu. Some research shows that ginger may also help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. With all of these potential benefits, it’s no wonder people want to include ginger juice in their diet.
But can you actually juice fresh ginger root? And will it yield the same benefits as other forms of consuming ginger? Let’s take a look at what happens when ginger meets your juicer.
Can You Juice Fresh Ginger Root?
The short answer is yes, you can juice fresh ginger root. Ginger is a knobby, tough root, but most juicers are equipped to handle it.
There are a few factors to consider when juicing ginger:
- Use mature, firm ginger root. The older the ginger is when harvested, the tougher the texture will be. More mature ginger is better able to withstand the juicing process.
- Cut the ginger into smaller pieces. Cutting ginger into coins or small chunks before feeding it into the juicer will help it juice more easily.
- Alternate ginger with other ingredients. Pass ginger through the juicer alternately with fruits, veggies, and/or greens. This will help purge any remaining fibers from the juicer.
- Use a powerful juicer. A centrifugal or masticating juicer with a strong motor provides the best results when juicing ginger. Citrus juicers and weaker motors may struggle with ginger’s firmness.
Provided these precautions are taken, most juicers can successfully extract the liquid essence of fresh ginger root. The key is working with mature, firm ginger and cutting it to size to feed through the juicer. Let’s look at how much juice you can expect to yield from ginger next.
Ginger Juice Yield
When juicing most fruits and vegetables, you can typically expect a juice yield of anywhere from 30% to 75% of the starting ingredient weight. So if you start with 1 pound of apples, you may get approximately 0.3 to 0.75 pounds of apple juice.
Ginger is on the lower end of that spectrum. The juice yield from ginger averages around 20-30%. This is due to ginger’s firm, fibrous texture. The juicer is unable to thoroughly extract liquid from the tough fiber networks within.
Here is an example juice yield from 1 pound of fresh ginger root:
| Starting Ginger Root Weight | Ginger Juice Yield |
|---|---|
| 1 pound | 0.2 to 0.3 pounds (3.2 to 4.8 oz) |
As you can see, 1 pound of ginger root produces around 1/4 to 1/3 pound of ginger juice. This may seem low compared to leafy greens or fruits. But because ginger has such a strong, concentrated flavor, you don’t need a high volume of juice to benefit.
A little ginger juice can go a long way in terms of flavor and potential health effects. An ounce or two is ample for most juice blends. Ginger also combines especially well with lemon, apple, carrot, and green vegetable juices.
Ginger Juice Nutrition
Now let’s examine the nutrition you can expect to get from fresh ginger juice. Below are some of the key nutrients found in a 1-ounce serving of ginger juice (about 2 tablespoons):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 9 |
| Sugars | 0.7g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.1g |
| Vitamin C | 0.5mg |
| Folate | 1mcg |
| Potassium | 27mg |
| Magnesium | 1mg |
Ginger juice is low in calories, sugar, and fiber since most of the plant matter is removed during juicing. The main nutrients left over in ginger juice are vitamins, minerals, and the beneficial plant compounds gingerol and zingerone.
Some research estimates that these compounds may account for up to 4% of raw ginger root. Juicing condenses these substances into a small volume of liquid, so you get a concentrated dose.
Keep in mind that juice contains less fiber than eating whole ginger. Fiber helps slow the absorption of sugars and keeps you feeling full. If you struggle with blood sugar spikes, you may want to pair ginger juice with a fiber-rich juice or food.
Benefits of Ginger Juice
Drinking ginger juice provides a simple way to harness the many potential benefits of ginger. Here are some of the top wellness advantages of incorporating ginger into your juice routine:
May Reduce Nausea
Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for nausea related to motion sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy, and sea sickness. The compounds gingerol and shogaol give ginger anti-nausea effects. Sipping small amounts of ginger juice may help calm an upset stomach.
Contains Anti-Inflammatory Compounds
The compounds in ginger have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming ginger may help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, injuries, and some chronic diseases. Ginger juice provides an easy way to add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet.
May Boost Immunity
Ginger contains antimicrobial components, including gingerol, zingerone, and shogaol. These compounds may help fight harmful bacteria and viruses. Adding ginger juice to your routine, especially during cold/flu season, may give your immune system a boost.
Can Aid Digestion
Ginger has traditionally been used to help relieve digestive issues, including bloating, gas, cramps, and indigestion. The compounds in ginger encourage the production of bile, enzymes, and gastric juices. This can facilitate proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.
May Lower Blood Sugar
Some research indicates ginger may help improve long-term blood sugar control. Ginger appears to act like insulin and enhance glucose uptake by muscles and fat cells. More study is needed, but ginger juice may aid blood sugar regulation.
Keep in mind that juice is not a cure-all. But ginger juice can be a tasty, convenient way to supplement your diet with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Can You Juice Ginger Skin?
When preparing ginger root for juicing, you may be wondering whether to peel the ginger first or just juice it skin and all. So, can you juice ginger with the skin on?
The skin or peel of fresh ginger root is very thin. Ginger skins are edible and contain nutrients and fiber. However, juicing ginger peel creates a few potential issues:
- Tough texture: Ginger peel is fiber-rich and rather tough. Pieces of peel may get lodged in juicer parts.
- Bitter flavor: Ginger peel boasts a stronger, more bitter taste than the interior flesh. Juice with peel may have an unpleasant flavor.
- Pesticide residue: Ginger peel is more prone to holding onto dirt, debris, and pesticides. Peeling ginger first results in cleaner juice.
For the reasons above, it is usually advisable to peel ginger before juicing. Use a spoon or peeler to remove the thin outer layer. This prevents juicer clogging and makes for better tasting ginger juice.
However, peeling ginger takes time. If you are juicing large batches, you can try juicing ginger peel and all. Just be sure to wash the ginger thoroughly first. Mix the finished juice with sweeter ingredients to mask any strong flavors.
Can You Juice Pickled Ginger?
Pickled ginger is ginger that has been sliced, sweetened, and brined in vinegar. It is commonly served alongside sushi and other Asian dishes. With its neon pink hue and pungent flavor, you may wonder if pickled ginger can be juiced.
It is not recommended to juice store-bought pickled ginger. Pickled ginger contains added sugars and dyes to achieve the sweet flavor and vibrant color. Juicing pickled ginger concentrates these unhealthy additives into your juice.
Also, the vinegar used to pickle ginger can degrade the juicer parts over time with prolonged exposure. This could damage the juicer.
However, you can make your own quick pickled ginger juice. Here is a simple recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced thin
- 1 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place sliced ginger in a glass jar or bowl.
- In a small saucepan, warm the vinegar, honey/agave, lime juice and salt just until dissolved. Stir to combine.
- Pour vinegar mixture over ginger slices and let sit 10-30 minutes.
- Drain pickled ginger, reserving vinegar for another use.
- Juice pickled ginger slices as normal in your juicer.
- Pour ginger juice through a strainer to remove any fibers.
This quick DIY method allows you to juice ginger lightly pickled in vinegar and natural sweeteners. The flavors complement the spicy ginger beautifully. Just avoid heavily dyed and sugared store-bought pickled varieties.
Other Ways to Enjoy Ginger
Juicing is just one way to incorporate ginger into your healthy lifestyle. Here are some other ways to use fresh or ground ginger:
- Add to smoothies
- Steep in hot water for tea
- Blend into dressings, marinades, and sauces
- Use in baked goods like muffins and cookies
- Stir into oatmeal or yogurt
- Simmer grated ginger into soups
- Mix with honey and lemon for a wellness shot
Opt for fresh ginger whenever possible to maximize the nutrient content. Look for plump, firm ginger root with smooth, tight skin. Store fresh ginger in a paper or mesh bag in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Conclusion
Ginger root can be successfully juiced to yield a concentrated, flavorful juice. The fibrous nature of ginger means that juice yields are lower than other fruits and veggies. However, the powerful benefits of ginger remain. Ginger juice contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may aid nausea, digestion, immunity, blood sugar, and more.
When juicing ginger, peel the root first and alternate pieces with other ingredients. For best results, use a high-power juicer. Fresh ginger juice can add a flavor boost and nutrition to all kinds of juice blends.
Drinking up to 2 ounces per day provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Pair ginger juice with green veggies, fruits, and lemon. Ginger juice is also delicious mixed into dressings, teas, baked goods, and other recipes. Get creative with this zesty and nutritious root.