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What are the health benefits of ginger

shots?

Medically reviewed by Sade Meeks, MS, RD, Nutrition — By Mary

West — Updated on March 6, 2023
 Benefits
 How to make
 Can they cause weight loss?
 Homemade vs. store bought
 Risks
 Summary
Ginger shots may offer several benefits. Early research on
ginger suggests that it may reduce nausea, certain pain, and
the risk of certain conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.

The above information comes from a 2020 study published in NutrientsTrusted

Source.

Ginger shots are concentrated beverages with fresh ginger root juice as the main
ingredient. They often include lemon or orange juice, as well as honey and
spices, such as turmeric.
Although there is limited research on the health benefits and safe dosage, a shot
containing up to 4 gramsTrusted Source of ginger is generally considered safe.
However, doses larger than this may cause problems, such as bleeding.

Read on to learn about ginger shots, benefits, recipes, risks, and more.

Benefits of ginger shots

Share on Pin terest Paul Taylor/Getty Images

For centuries, people in various parts of the world have used ginger as a
traditional herbal remedy for common health problems. According
to researchTrusted Source, preliminary studies indicate that it may have
beneficial properties, but clinical trials are necessary to further investigate them.

It is worth noting that studies tend to use ginger extract rather than raw ginger or
ginger juice. However, ginger juice likely offers benefits that are similar in type, if
not in magnitude. These include:

 Reducing inflammation: The anti-inflammatory effects may help relieve

the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the
 wearing away of joint cartilage due to aging, while rheumatoid arthritis is
an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints.
 Relieving pain unrelated to arthritis: Ginger may help alleviate
painTrusted Source associated with the menstrual cycle and migraine
headaches.
 Improving gastrointestinal function: This includes enhancing digestion.
 Decreasing nausea and vomiting: Ginger may help prevent and reduce
nausea and vomiting that comes with chemotherapy and pregnancy.
 Improve blood sugar control: Ginger may lower blood sugarTrusted
Source and improve factors related to the development of type 2 diabetes,
such as insulin resistance.
 Reducing the risk of other chronic diseases: This includes obesity-
related factors that increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. It
may also decrease risk factors of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of
conditions that raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Recipe and how to make

There are no rules for making ginger shots, so a person can include any fruit,
vegetable, or seasoning they like. Below are a few ideas:

Lemon ginger shot

This recipe produces 2 servings.

Ingredients

 1-inch (in) piece of fresh ginger root

 1 lemon
 a pinch of powdered or raw turmeric
Instructions

1. Slice off the lemon peel.

2. Chop ginger, lemon, and raw turmeric into small pieces.
3. Blitz in a blender or food processor.
4. Divide into two shots and strain if desired.
5. Drink immediately.

Ginger carrot recipe

This recipe produces 2 servings.

Ingredients

 1-in piece of fresh ginger root

 1 lemon
 1 teaspoon (tsp) raw, unfiltered honey
 1 medium carrot
 a pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

1. Slice off lemon peel.

2. Chop ginger, lemon, and carrot into small pieces.
3. Blitz in a blender or food processor.
4. Divide into two shots and strain if desired.
5. Drink immediately.

Orange-spinach ginger

This recipe produces 2 servings.

Ingredients

 1-in piece of fresh ginger root

 1 small orange
 1 cup spinach leaves
 1 tsp raw, unfiltered honey
 a pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Slice off the orange peel.

2. Chop ginger, orange, and spinach leaves into small pieces.
3. Blitz in a blender or food processor.
4. Divide into two shots.
5. Drink immediately.

Can they help with weight loss?

A 2019 reviewTrusted Source of clinical trials looked into the effects of ginger
shots on weight. It found that regular ginger consumption may reduce body
weight and waist-to-hip ratio, an indicator of fat around the waist.

However, the findings did not show that ginger affects body mass index (BMI).

Additionally, a 2020 studyTrusted Source involving rats tested the effects of

ginger water on weight loss and the metabolism of certain nutrients.

Ginger water is not exactly ginger root juice, but it is similar. The authors
obtained it as a byproduct of freezing ginger rhizomes, which are underground
roots of the ginger plant.
Data analysis suggested that ginger may help reduce weight and prevent obesity
and obesity-related conditions. However, because this study was done on rats,
the results cannot be directly applied to humans.

Homemade vs. store-bought ginger shots

The homemade version has some advantages.

First, a person who makes it can adjust the ingredients to their preferences.
Ginger juice can have a strong taste, so someone may reduce the amount if they
find it objectionable. They can choose to dilute it or add juices they enjoy, such
as orange juice.

Also, if an individual chooses to use only organic ingredients, making it at home

ensures that the shots do not contain pesticides. It is also best to drink ginger
shots when they are fresh.

Finally, store-bought ginger shots can be expensive. The ingredients used to

make ginger shots at home are relatively inexpensive, so the homemade option
is preferable in terms of cost.

Risks and side effects

Most ginger shot recipes contain lemon juice. This can wear awayTrusted
Source tooth enamel and make the teeth sensitive.

To prevent this, a person can swish down the shot quickly to reduce exposure.
They can also drink the shot through a straw. After drinking, they should rinse
their mouth thoroughly with water to wash away the lemon juice.

Evidence indicates that ginger is safe in doses of up to 4 gTrusted Source daily.

This equates to roughly 2 tspTrusted Source. Higher doses have the potential to
cause:
  allergic reactions
 central nervous system depression, which is the slowing of normal
neurological functions, such as breathing
 gastrointestinal discomfort, which affects the stomach or intestines
 prolonged bleeding

Doses higher than 6 g may:

 Worsen intestinal conditions: This includes diarrhea, heartburn, and

gastrointestinal reflux, which is the backward flow of stomach contents into
the esophagus.
 Negatively affect the heart and blood vessels: This may include
causing low blood pressure or arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart
rhythms.
 Cause warfarin toxicity: Warfarin is a medication that slows blood
clotting. Ginger may add to its anticlotting effects, resulting in bleeding.
 Increase bile acid secretion: The liver makes bile acid, and the
gallbladder stores it. When the secretion is high, more gallstone formation
may result.

Summary
Preliminary research suggests that ginger may offer a range of health benefits,
including reduced pain in arthritis and certain other pain-inducing conditions. It
may also decrease nausea from chemotherapy and pregnancy.

Many ginger shot recipes call for raw ginger root and lemon juice, but a person
may add spices, honey, and juice. Ginger may cause side effects in high doses,
but if someone does not consume more than 2 teaspoonsTrusted Source of
ginger root in a daily shot, they should not experience any issues.

Last medically reviewed on December 22, 2022

  Nutrition / Diet

How we reviewed this article:

SOURCES
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