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Health-boosting ginger shots: fad or

fact?
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These days, you can find mini bottles of ginger shots in most
supermarkets and health stores. Are these so-called health shots good for
you? Or are ginger shot drinks just another fad?
Last updated by Amberley Davis  Peer reviewed by Dr Krishna Vakharia
Last updated 15 Aug 2022  Originally published 15 Aug 2022
6 mins read

The rise of the ginger shot

"Ginger shots have gained extreme popularity in recent years", says Reema Patel,
registered dietitian at Dietitian Fit. "Typically, the shots are concentrated ginger juice,
and may also contain honey, turmeric, cayenne pepper, or orange and lemon juice."
Ginger is the star of the show in these health shots; this natural root contains bioactive
compounds such as gingerols and shogaols that are thought to benefit our health in a
number of ways .
1

The rise of the ginger shot may be a recent trend but ginger itself has been used to
treat ailments since ancient times .
2
Ginger shot benefits
There is a wealth of research evidencing the health benefits of ginger, including its
ability to boost your immune system and ward off illnesses.
But how this relates to ginger shots is another story. "There isn’t enough human
research to completely outline the benefits of ginger shots," cautions Patel.

This is not to say that ginger in liquid form doesn't contain the same benefits, but the
following research should be considered with caution, as most information is
based on ginger in other forms, such as powders or capsules.
Registered dietitian Elouise Rice discusses the health and immune-boosting properties
of ginger shots:

1. Anti-emetic properties

Rice says: "Ginger is well known for its ability to reduce nausea. It has been found in
some research to improve nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy . There is
3

also limited evidence that it may be able to help with motion sickness and morning

sickness in individuals who are pregnant . However, you should always consult your
4

doctor before taking a new supplement if you are pregnant."

2. Anti-inflammatory properties

Rice says: "Ginger has been found to lower inflammatory markers such as C-reactive
protein (CRP). Therefore, taking ginger may help to both prevent and manage such
chronic inflammatory conditions ."
5

3. Weight loss properties

Rice says: "There is a limited body of research which shows that ginger
supplementation may aid weight loss . It is thought that this may be because it can
6

transform white fat tissue into brown fat tissue. Brown fat tissue is more advantageous
as it improves metabolism and energy expenditure.
"Ginger may also aid weight loss through other mechanisms such as: appetite control,
creating heat in the body which increases calorie expenditure, and breaking fat cells
down and preventing new ones from forming. That being said, ginger alone will not
help you to lose those few pounds you can't seem to shift - your overall diet and
exercise is still important."

4. Heart disease and type 2 diabetes

Rice says: "Ginger supplementation in the diet has been shown to both reduce and
regulate blood sugar levels. Ginger can also positively impact insulin resistance, blood
lipid (fat) profile, and promote weight loss, which when combined, shows promise for
treating type 2 diabetes.

"Ginger may also have a protective effect against heart disease through multiple
mechanisms such as reducing blood pressure, decreasing inflammation, increasing
good cholesterol (HDL) levels, and improving our overall lipid profile.
"This being said, most findings are from animal studies, so we still have a long way to
go until this is a legitimate treatment recommended for humans with type 2 diabetes
or heart disease."

5. Digestion

Rice says: "Ginger has been found to support gut health by

reducing bloating, dyspepsia (indigestion), and flatulence, and by
relieving constipation. This may be because ginger can speed up gastric emptying -
the process of food moving from your stomach to your small intestine ."
7

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Ginger shot downsides

Research gaps

Before you jump on the ginger shot bandwagon, remember that most studies
investigate ginger in forms other than ginger juice. Much of the research is also based
on animals or human cells in test tubes - in vitro studies - and Rice advises that more
research is needed before ginger shots can be recommended to prevent or treat
illnesses.

So, there's little evidence around ginger shots specifically, but there's also no clear
evidence to show that they're not healthy, immune-boosting, or safe.

As with most things in life, its all about moderation: "Researchers remain uncertain
regarding the maximum safe dosage of ginger and appropriate duration of treatment,"
adds Rice.

Side effects

Side effects to ginger are rare, and usually only occur when the herb interacts with
certain medications.

Possible side effects:

 Mild gastrointestinal upset may happen in rare cases.

 Large amounts of ginger can thin your blood. If you are on blood thinning
medication, such as warfarin, Patel warns that caution is advised if
consuming ginger shots.

 Asginger can lower blood sugar levels, if you are on medication for blood
sugar control it's important to be mindful of your ginger intake.
Ginger shot recipes vary, but typically the additional ingredients used to add flavour
to these juice shots - such as turmeric, cayenne spice, and lemon - are also safe and
healthy to drink in moderation.

Price tags

The final downside is the price tag. Rice points out that these trendy juice shots are
expensive for their size: "A 60 ml ginger shot can set you back £2-3, whereas, buying
100 g of raw fresh ginger will only set you back 50p or so."

How to make ginger shots

Of course, one way to cut the cost is to make ginger shots at home. All you'll need for
this very easy recipe is a blender or juicer.

Homemade ginger shot recipe

Thanks to both the fiery ginger and the complementing ingredients in this recipe , this
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mini drink packs a punch and is bursting with flavour. The other ingredients are also
good for you when consumed in small amounts, making this the ultimate health shot.
Makes six 35 ml ginger shots

Ingredients:
1 tbsp fresh ginger (roughly chopped) - the star ingredient.

 1/2 apple (roughly chopped) - adds sweetness and good source of fibre and
antioxidants.

 Juice of 1 lemon - rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar - another source of antioxidants.

1 tsp turmeric powder - anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

1 small pinch black pepper - stimulates digestive system and increases

absorption of turmeric.
  1/2 cup water.
Method:
1. Whizz all ingredients together in a blender or juicer.

2. Store in the fridge for up to seven days.

Further reading
1. Mao et al: Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger .
2. Bode and Dong: Herbal medicine: Biomolecular and clinical aspects .
3. Uthaipaisanwong et al: Effects of ginger adjunct to the standard prophylaxis
on reducing carboplatin and paclitaxel-induced nausea vomiting: a
randomized controlled study.
4. Borrelli et al: Effectiveness and safety of ginger in the treatment of
pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting.
5. Mojgan Morvaridzadeh et al: Effect of ginger (zingiber officinale) on
inflammatory markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized
controlled trials.
6. Attari et al: A systematic review of the anti-obesity and weight lowering
effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and its mechanisms of action.
7. Bodagh et al: Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of
clinical trials.
8. Ayurveda with Rebecca: Ginger turmeric and lemon shots .
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