Ginger Shot Benefits You Actually Didn’t Know

Written by Rashida Ruwa on December 12, 2022

Fact checked by Ievgeniia Dobrynina

Fact checked by Ievgeniia Dobrynina

Ievgeniia Dobrynina is the Head of Nutrition and a fact checker at Unimeal.

The Unimeal team works to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information. All texts are reviewed by a panel of experts and editors and updated according to the latest research. Only evidenced-based and verified sources of leading medical publications and universities get into the article materials.

Ginger is a spice used for centuries to promote good health. From its healing properties in cooking to its ability to soothe stomach aches and sore throats, ginger has been a staple of many cultures' medicine cabinets for millennia¹³A. M. Bode, Z. Dong. (2011). The amazing and mighty ginger. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/.

However, not everyone knows that you can also consume it in the form of a shot. Ginger shots are made with fresh ginger root juice and lemon juice, a combination that creates a healthy and refreshing drink with many benefits for your body. The ingredients in ginger shots are all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about scary additives.

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The lemon and ginger shot is excellent for anyone who loves citrusy flavors but wants something that’s not too sweet. Whether in the morning to kickstart your metabolism and start your day off right or after dinner for an immune boost, ginger shots are an excellent way to get your daily dose of ginger without having to chew on it.

So, what is a ginger shot good for, and should you use it? Read on to find out some top benefits of ginger shots that are sure to surprise you.

What is a ginger shot

A ginger shot is a concentrated drink made with fresh ginger root. Some recipes contain only freshly pressed ginger juice, while others include lemon juice and orange juice as well, along with turmeric, cayenne pepper, and manuka honey for the added health benefits it provides.

It is often served in shot glasses at restaurants and bars. Still, you can also make made at home if you don't have access to a bar or restaurant that serves them by juicing grated fresh root or combining it with other juices such as lemon or carrot, or buying it as a premade drink that you can buy at grocery stores or coffee shops.

A ginger shot is usually served over ice with whatever you like best, we suggest something zesty and citrusy. 

What does a ginger shot do?

Ginger shots are the perfect way to add some spice to your day. They're good for:

1. Reducing inflammation

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory that has been shown in studies to reduce the body's inflammatory response by limiting the production of proteins that help create inflammation and reduce the pain associated with inflammation³N. S. Mashhadi., et al. (2013). Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: Review of current evidence. Int J Prev Med. PMID:23717767. Drinking a ginger shot can help with joint pain or swelling, particularly if you're suffering from arthritis or gout, and also reduce muscle soreness after a workout, so you can feel better faster after your next sweat session

2. Improving digestion

A ginger shot contains active constituents called gingerols and shogaols¹⁰R. B. Semwal, D. K. Semwal, S. Combrinck, A. M. Viljoen. (2015, Sept). Gingerols and shogaols: Important nutraceutical principles from ginger. Phytochemistry. DOI:10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.07.012, which are known to increase gastric motility, which is the process of moving food through your stomach. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce gas and bloating. When combined with lemon juice and turmeric, these compounds work together to help move food more efficiently along in your gut, so you feel less bloated, gassy, or constipated.

3. Boosting your immune system

It helps boost the immune system by providing you with a shot of vitamin C, which helps keep your body strong and healthy while fighting off germs or illnesses, while the antioxidants in both ingredients help neutralize free radicals before they can cause damage to cells in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your body's cells. They're created when the body breaks down food and oxygen, and they can damage our DNA, which can lead to cancer and other diseases⁴National Cancer Institute. (2017, Feb). Antioxidants and cancer prevention. NCI. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/antioxidants-fact-sheet#:~:text=At%20high%20concentrations%2C%20however%2C%20free,conditions%20(1%2C%202)..

4. Preventing motion sickness

If you're prone to motion sickness¹²CDC. (2022, Jan). Motion sickness. CDC. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/motion-sickness#:~:text=Motion%20sickness%20happens%20when%20the,boat%2C%20or%20amusement%20park%20ride. or you just want to prevent it, ginger shots are an easy way to stay comfortable on long car rides or flights without having to take medication or deal with side effects that come along with prescription drugs like Dramamine or Bonine which can make you drowsy. Just pop a ginger shot before boarding your flight or driving cross-country.

5. Treating colds and flu

Ginger shots contain turmeric, which has long been used in Ayurveda (an ancient Indian practice of medicine) as a treatment for inflammation. Studies⁵M. R. Jennings, R. J Parks. (2020, Nov). Curcumin as an antiviral agent. Viruses. DOI:10.3390/v12111242 have shown that it's particularly effective at reducing inflammation in the nasal cavity and throat, which means it's great for treating common illnesses like sore throats or congested sinus passages.

In addition to reducing inflammation, ginger is also good at boosting your immune system, which makes it especially useful during cold and flu season when it feels like everyone around you is getting sick. And if you're already feeling under the weather, ginger shots can help speed up recovery time by helping your body get rid of toxins faster.

6. Healing wounds

The ginger shot helps heal wounds by increasing circulation and reducing inflammation. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it's great for reducing swelling and redness. Plus, the lemon and turmeric in the shot contain vitamin C, which is essential for healing wounds because it helps build collagen (the protein in skin that keeps wounds closed). It also prevents scarring by speeding up the healing process¹N. Bhagavathula., et al. (2009). A combination of curcumin and ginger extract improves abrasion wound healing in corticosteroid-impaired hairless rat skin. Wound Repair Regen. PMID:19660044.

7. Relieving heartburn and acid reflux

Heartburn is a condition where stomach acid goes back up into the esophagus, causing pain and discomfort. The combination of lemon juice and fresh ginger in a ginger shot helps settle an upset stomach by easing the flow of stomach acid through the digestive system and also helps soothe any inflammation in the esophagus from overindulging or acidic foods. In addition, ginger is known for its ability to calm nausea, which can be helpful if you're dealing with heartburn or acid reflux⁷M. Nikkhah. Bodagh, I. Maleki, A. Hekmatdoost. (2019, Jan). Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials. Food Sci Nutr. DOI:10.1002/fsn3.807.

8. Supporting heart health

A ginger shot is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke⁹S. Fakhri., et al. (2021). Ginger and heart health: From mechanisms to therapeutics. Curr Mol Pharmacol. DOI:10.2174/1874467213666201209105005by improving circulation and lowering blood pressure. It also contains antioxidants that help fight free radicals, those pesky little molecules that cause damage inside your body. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory spice that helps lower cholesterol levels⁶S. Qin, L. Huang., et al. (2017, Oct). Efficacy and safety of turmeric and curcumin in lowering blood lipid levels in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrition journal. DOI:10.1186/s12937-017-0293-y and prevents plaque buildup in arteries.

9. Supporting hair and skin health

Ginger shots contain all-natural ingredients that support hair and skin health by improving circulation in the scalp, which helps promote cellular renewal. It can help soothe skin issues like acne and rosacea and help keep skin clear of bacteria that cause breakouts through its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The antioxidants in ginger are also great for helping protect against free radical damage that can cause premature aging⁸M. Ozkur., et al. (2022). Ginger for healthy ageing: A systematic review on current evidence of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Oxid Med Cell Longev. DOI:10.1155/2022/4748447.

10. Weight loss

Ginger shots can help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism, which means that you'll burn more calories even when you're not working out¹¹S. Sayed., et al. (2020, Jan). Ginger water reduces body weight gain and improves energy expenditure in rats. Foods. DOI:10.3390/foods9010038. Ginger is a natural appetite suppressant, so it's a great way to curb your cravings and keep you feeling full longer than other foods if you're trying to lose weight. Plus, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and inflammation in the body, making weight loss easier.

When to take?

Ginger shots are good for any time of day, but if we had to recommend one thing, it would be in the morning. This is because ginger contains antioxidants that help fight against free radicals, which cause inflammation and aging. Plus, turmeric has been shown to improve brain function and fight depression. So if you're feeling a little foggy-headed when you wake up or have trouble concentrating throughout the day, taking a ginger shot will give you the extra energy you need to get through the day.

How often can you take a ginger shot?

As often as you want! But be careful because ginger shots are spicy, so, If you're going to use them regularly, make sure to mix them with something else that will help balance out the heat, like lemon juice or honey.

Who should not drink ginger shot?

Ginger shots are a great way to get your daily dose of ginger, but there are some people who should not drink them.

• People with diabetes should not drink ginger shots because they will have the opposite effect on their blood sugar levels than intended by lowering the blood sugar levels drastically³N. S. Mashhadi., et al. (2013). Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: Review of current evidence. Int J Prev Med. PMID:23717767.
• People with bleeding disorders or if you're taking blood thinners, you should not drink ginger shots because they contain high amounts of vitamin K, which can interfere with blood clotting processes¹⁴W. Marx., et al. (2015). The effect of ginger (zingiber officinale) on platelet aggregation: A systematic literature review. PLoS One. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0141119 .It can be dangerous because it means you could bleed out even if you get just a little cut or scrape. It also means that treating some kinds of injuries might be harder than normal because doctors have to worry about whether or not your body will be able to form a clot on its own.
• If you're allergic to lemons or citrus fruits or have an allergy to ginger or turmeric, don't drink ginger shot because it can cause anaphylactic shock²ACAAI. (2018, Jan). Anaphylaxis. ACCAI. Retrieved from https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/anaphylaxis/ . This is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Common symptoms of anaphylactic shock include skin rashes or hives, mouth, tongue, face, or throat swelling, trouble breathing, and wheezing or shortness of breath.

To sum it up

Well, there you have it! Ginger shots have many health benefits, not just for your body. They're also great for your mind and spirit. When you're feeling under the weather, ginger shots are a great way to get some natural energy going and help you feel better. Whatever your goals are, ginger shots are a fun way to get a little extra kick in your day.