Are Ginger and Turmeric Shots Healthy?
Are Ginger Shots Healthy?
This article is for information only and does not represent medical advice. Always seek a consultation with your general practitioner and healthcare provider before making any decisions which may affect any medications, diagnosis or ongoing treatment.
Background
I first saw ginger shots appear in Starbucks, sat there on the shelf waiting to be tried and experienced. The contents stated 100 mls of a punchy apple, ginger and lime blend; said to be a great source of vitamin C. With 37Kcal and a higher in both (7.7g) Carbs and (7.7g) sugar, they certainly tasted great – but at £2.50 for the 100mls, it seemed rather expensive. In comparison, Sainsbury’s also sell an ‘Unrooted Mighty Ginger Shot’ drink priced at £2.00 for 100ml. Prices correct as of 17 Nov 22.
Ginger is native to Southeast Asia and is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, it has been used for centuries as both a spice and sweetener. In popular traditional herbal medicine, ginger is believed to have therapeutic effects, especially when used as a remedy for coughs. Did you also know that ginger is used for the alleviation of pain, nausea and vomiting?
Popularity
After the recent lockdowns and in the wake of the covered 19 pandemic, doctor’s surgeries and chemists seem to be struggling with the sheer volume and backlog of people seeking treatments and help. People appear to seek greater control of their own journey towards health; they are seeking a return to preventative techniques and remedies which are both natural remedies but also are an integrative approach to health. Today, there is a distrust of the differing chemicals and formulations which people don’t understand but are putting into their bodies. It seems there is a demand for small bottles of instant health!
I decided to see if this drink which is gaining in popularity was healthy and if I could make my own authentic tasting shot and how much that would be in price. So, is it great health wise or simply a nice drink?
The Question of Health
First, is ginger healthy? I decided to look at a recent journal article for some answers. It appears that there some good news whilst also raising further questions. Ginger has previously been documented for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infection and weight reducing properties. In a recent study it was concluded that Ginger may have a positive effect on the microbiota which in turn may help to reduce body fat and fatty liver and also insulin resistance, however, Ozkur (2022) points out that there are very few studies available which have looked at effective dosages.
T the possible health benefits that have been suggested:
- Immune system boost
- Weight loss
- Blood sugar control
- Antioxidant properties
- Decrease in digestive issues
- Reduced inflammation
Key Point
For me it seemed a simple choice, have a ginger and turmeric shot and enjoy any unexpected health benefits whilst also having a nice but incredibly good value drink…
How do you make an amazing effective ginger shot?
Ingredients:
- Water – 50mls
- Apple juice – 240mls
- 1 x lemon
- Tsp ground Turmeric (6mls)
- 30g Ginger - adjust to taste, I prefer more.
- Tbsp Honey (18mls)
Method:
- set up your blender and put in the splash of water and apple juice
- Chop the lemon into 2 halves and squeeze in the lemon juice
- Add in the teaspoon of tumour and a tablespoon of honey
- cut off 30 g of ginger, peeling the outside and then chopping into smaller pieces
- Add the ginger to the mixture and blend
…really… it’s that simple... Experiment and adjust to taste.
Cost
The cost (at 17/11/2022 priced from Sainsbury’s online) = 87p for 240mls which is just 36p per 100ml
References:
Healthline. 2019. Are Ginger Shots Healthy. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginger-shots. [Accessed 17 November 2022].
Hewlings SJ, Kalman DS. Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods. 2017 Oct 22;6(10):92. doi: 10.3390/foods6100092. PMID: 29065496; PMCID: PMC5664031.
Mahluji S, Ostadrahimi A, Mobasseri M, Ebrahimzade Attari V, Payahoo L. Anti-inflammatory effects of zingiber officinale in type 2 diabetic patients. Adv Pharm Bull. 2013;3(2):273-6. doi: 10.5681/apb.2013.044. Epub 2013 Aug 20. PMID: 24312847; PMCID: PMC3848205.
Ozkur, M. et al., 2022. Ginger for Healthy Ageing: A Systematic Review on Current Evidence of Its Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anticancer Properties. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2022, 4748447–16
