Ginger shots have become a popular health trend in recent years. Some people take them daily with the goal of enjoying potential benefits like reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and boosting immunity. But what really happens if you take ginger shots every day?
What are ginger shots?
Ginger shots are concentrated doses of ginger, usually mixed with lemon juice and sometimes other ingredients like honey or cayenne pepper. They are typically 1-3 ounces in size.
Compared to eating raw ginger, ginger shots provide a much more potent serving. This allows you to get a concentrated dose of the active compounds in ginger, including gingerol, zingerone, and shogaol.
Some of the potential benefits attributed to ginger shots include:
- Reducing nausea and vomiting
- Decreasing inflammation
- Improving digestion and reducing gas and bloating
- Increasing immunity
- Providing antioxidant protection
- Boosting energy levels
However, more research is still needed to substantiate some of these claims.
Potential benefits of daily ginger shots
Here is a closer look at some of the key potential upsides of incorporating a daily ginger shot into your routine:
1. May reduce nausea
Multiple studies have found that ginger is effective at reducing nausea related to motion sickness, pregnancy, and chemotherapy. It’s believed that the active compounds in ginger have anti-nausea effects by activating serotonin receptors.
Taking a ginger shot each day may help ward off nausea. One study gave 80 new sailors either a ginger shot, placebo shot, or nothing each day. After only three days, those who got the ginger shot had a significant reduction in motion sickness.
2. Could decrease inflammation
Chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in many modern diseases. Test-tube and animal studies suggest that ginger possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
For example, one study found that giving rats with colon inflammation daily ginger shots reduced inflammatory markers by up to 53%.
Although human research is limited, regularly consuming concentrated ginger shots could help decrease inflammation, especially when combined with an overall healthy lifestyle.
3. May aid digestion
Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy to treat digestive issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion. This is likely due to its ability to speed up the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
According to one study, taking ginger capsules reduced bloating scores by 50% compared to a placebo. Another study found that ginger accelerated emptying of the stomach by 50% compared to a placebo.
Enjoying ginger shots daily may support healthy digestion by minimizing bloating, gas, indigestion, and constipation.
4. Could provide immune support
Animal and test-tube research indicates that ginger possesses antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that could protect against infections.
One study even found fresh ginger was effective against a drug-resistant form of staph infection.
Additionally, ginger may enhance immunity by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are linked to weakened immune function when they become chronic.
By keeping your immune system strong, regular ginger shots could help you stay healthy and fight infection.
5. May boost energy
Some people report getting an energizing effect after taking ginger shots. This makes sense, given that they provide concentrated doses of potent plant compounds.
Ginger increases circulation, which improves blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body. Proper circulation is essential for sustained energy levels.
Through their antioxidant effects, ginger shots may also enhance energy by reducing oxidative stress. Excess oxidative stress can lead to fatigue.
Routine ginger shots combined with a balanced diet and active lifestyle can help support your energy levels. If you have fatigue or low energy, ask your doctor if ginger shots could help.
Potential downsides of daily ginger shots
Despite the multitude of possible upsides, taking ginger shots every day may come with some potential drawbacks:
1. May cause heartburn
For some people, the powerful concentrated dose of ginger found in ginger shots may worsen heartburn.
If you have chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ginger shots could make your symptoms worse rather than better. Start with a small amount and avoid them if you experience discomfort.
2. Could delay blood clotting
Ginger may impair blood clotting by decreasing platelet aggregation. This means it could increase bruising and bleeding in some people. Those with bleeding disorders or who take blood-thinning medications should consult their healthcare practitioner before regularly consuming ginger shots.
3. Might irritate the mouth
The strong taste and spiciness of ginger shots could irritate sensitive mouths. Some report mouth pain or sores after taking ginger shots, especially if you have ulcers.
Diluting ginger shots with water or milk could make them easier to tolerate if you experience mouth irritation.
4. Interacts with some medications
Ginger can interact with some medications like blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and certain heart medications.
If you take prescriptions, consult your healthcare provider before adding daily ginger shots to your routine. Their anti-platelet effects could lead to complications for some people.
5. Might cause gastrointestinal distress
For some people, ginger shots may cause side effects like diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, or nausea – especially when taken in excess.
If you experience GI distress after taking ginger shots, try lowering your dose and frequency.
Who should not take ginger shots?
Though ginger shots are likely safe for most people, certain groups should exercise more caution or avoid ginger shots entirely:
- Those with ulcers or chronic heartburn
- People with bleeding disorders
- Individuals taking blood thinners or NSAIDs
- Anyone scheduled for surgery within 2-3 weeks
- Pregnant women without medical approval
- Those allergic to ginger
If you fall into one of these categories, consult your healthcare provider before adding daily ginger shots to your health regimen.
Are there benefits to fresh ginger vs. ginger powder?
Ginger shots can be made using either fresh ginger or dried ground ginger powder. Here’s how the potential benefits of these two forms compare:
Potential benefits of fresh ginger
- Higher gingerol content
- More balanced profile of active compounds
- Enzymes remain intact
- Higher antioxidant capacity
Potential benefits of ground ginger powder
- More concentrated dose of key compounds
- Less spicy flavor
- More affordable and accessible
- Longer shelf life
Both fresh and dried ginger contain the important active compounds. However, research shows that fresh ginger retains more antioxidants and scores higher on certain medicinal properties.
Therefore, daily ginger shots made from fresh ginger may provide slightly more therapeutic effects. However, ground ginger powder still offers benefits and can be a convenient alternative.
How much ginger should you take per day?
There is no official recommended daily intake for ginger. However, most health organizations consider ginger safe when consumed in doses of up to 4 grams per day.
Many experts suggest limiting your intake to no more than 2-4 grams of ginger root daily from all sources including food, ginger shots, capsules or tablets.
For reference:
- 1-inch piece of raw ginger = ~1 gram
- 1-3 fluid ounce ginger shot = ~2-4 grams
- 0.5-1 gram powdered ginger = ~500 mg-1 gram
Start with a low dose of ginger shots like 1 ounce per day. Gradually increase your intake while monitoring your response. This allows you to find the optimal dosage for you.
Talk to your healthcare provider to get personalized advice about ginger intake based on your health history.
How to make ginger shots
It’s easy to make refreshing ginger shots at home. Here are some simple recipes to try:
Basic ginger shot
Ingredients:
- 1 inch knob of fresh ginger
- 1 lemon
- 1-2 ounces water
Instructions:
- Peel ginger and chop into chunks
- Juice the lemon
- Blend ginger with lemon juice and water in blender or food processor until smooth
- Strain mixture through fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth
- Pour into a shot glass and enjoy!
Apple cider ginger shot
Ingredients:
- 1 inch ginger, peeled and chopped
- 2 ounces apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.
- Pour through strainer into shot glass.
- Drink immediately.
Orange ginger immune booster shot
Ingredients:
- 1 inch ginger, peeled and chopped
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Pinch of turmeric
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour through fine mesh strainer.
- Enjoy your orange ginger shot!
Feel free to customize your ginger shots with different fruit juices, sweeteners, spices and mix-ins to suit your taste.
How long do ginger shots last?
Fresh ginger shots only stay good for 1-3 days when refrigerated in an airtight container. For longer shelf life, freeze your ginger shots in ice cube trays or muffin tins. Frozen ginger shots can be stored for 4-6 months.
Dried ground ginger powder lasts 6-12 months when sealed and stored away from direct light and moisture.
Look for signs your ginger shots have gone bad like mold, unpleasant odors, fizzing, or change in color. Discard if you notice any deterioration in quality.
Tips for taking ginger shots
Here are some tips to make taking daily ginger shots easy and enjoyable:
– Chill your ginger shots before drinking for a refreshing feel.
– Drink ginger shots slowly instead of taking them as a quick shot.
– Have a chaser like fruit juice ready to wash it down.
– Add lemon, honey, or other ingredients to improve the flavor.
– Dilute with a bit of water if you find it too spicy.
– Take ginger shots before meals to enhance digestion.
– Pair ginger shots with a healthy breakfast or snack.
– Brush your teeth after to prevent lingering spiciness.
– Start with a small 1 ounce dose and work up from there.
– Drink plenty of water throughout the day when taking ginger shots.
Precautions with ginger shots
To minimize risk and experience the optimal benefits of ginger shots, keep these precautions in mind:
– Avoid ginger if you have gallstones or are prone to kidney stones.
– Start with small doses and gradually increase to assess tolerance.
– Don’t exceed recommended maximum daily intakes.
– Avoid taking ginger shots on an empty stomach if you have ulcers.
– Check with your doctor if taking medications, pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.
– Don’t give ginger shots to children under age 2.
– Stop using ginger shots at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgeries.
Conclusion
Incorporating daily ginger shots into your routine may offer advantages like reducing nausea, inflammation, chronic pain, and bloating. They provide a simple way to get a concentrated dose of protective plant compounds.
However, ginger shots could cause issues for some people, especially in excess. As with any supplement, it’s best to start slowly and check with your healthcare practitioner to make sure it’s right for you.
Overall, ginger shots are a safe, natural way to optimize health when consumed responsibly by most healthy adults. Try adding them to your morning routine and see if you notice any benefits.
