Ginger, celebrated for centuries for its culinary and medicinal properties, emerges once again as a star in the realm of wellness with its elixir-like creation: ginger water. Packed with an array of health benefits, this simple yet potent concoction offers a treasure trove of advantages that contribute to overall well-being.
The infusion of ginger into water results in a beverage that goes beyond just a flavorful refreshment. The unique combination of ginger's active compounds infuses the water with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and essential nutrients that have been revered for their therapeutic qualities for generations.
Recipe for Ginger Water:
Ingredients:
1-2 inches fresh ginger root
4-5 cups of water
Optional: Honey, lemon, or mint for flavor
Instructions:
- Wash the ginger root thoroughly. You can either peel the ginger or leave the skin on for added nutrients. Slice the ginger thinly or grate it to increase surface area for better infusion.
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot.
- Add the sliced or grated ginger to the boiling water. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Simmering allows the ginger to release its flavors and beneficial compounds into the water.
- Once infused, remove the pot from heat. Strain the ginger pieces using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Let the ginger water cool down to room temperature.
- You can enhance the flavor of ginger water by adding a squeeze of lemon juice, a spoonful of honey for sweetness, or a sprig of fresh mint for a refreshing touch.
- Store the ginger water in a pitcher or bottle in the refrigerator. It can be consumed cold or at room temperature.
Tips:
Adjust the ginger quantity based on your preference for a stronger or milder taste.
Experiment with different flavor combinations to suit your taste preferences.
Ginger water can be made in larger batches and refrigerated for up to a week.
Health Benefits of Ginger Water
# Ginger can help quell nausea
If you're feeling queasy, reaching for ginger water could be a smart move. The Mayo Clinic lists ginger as helpful way to combat both morning sickness and chemotherapy-induced nausea.
What the ginger will help do is speed up stomach emptying, so things can go from the stomach into the small bowels more efficiently.
# It may relieve period pain
Countless home remedies claim to help relieve symptoms during that time of the month, but here's one that has some substance behind it. Ginger helped reduce menstrual cramp pain in a 2015 randomized clinical trial published in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Additional research has suggested ginger is more effective at relieving pain than a placebo when taken during the first three or four days of your cycle. The idea is that ginger's anti-inflammatory properties may work in a similar way to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Advil.
# Ginger may also help balance blood sugar
While drinking sugary ginger beer certainly won't help you here, ginger does have some ties to improving blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Consuming 3 grams of powdered ginger per day helped patients improve their glycemic indices compared to a placebo.
# Ginger water can promote weight loss
No, ginger water won't melt belly fat or torch calories, but it's still worth sipping if you enjoy the taste and want a more flavorful alternative to plain water.
Ginger tea is no weight-loss elixir in that it can’t directly impact metabolism. We see this effect mostly in green and black teas that have caffeine, but only in preliminary studies and the results appear to be both minimal and temporary.
# It could reduce your risk of chronic disease
Ginger along with other vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains – contain high amounts of phytonutrients. These antioxidant-like compounds may help counteract chronic inflammation, a physiological state where your body's cells stay on high alert due to a lingering or past threat. That response mechanism isn't always bad, but it can occasionally go awry and get hyperactive. Over time, this may play a big part in the development of diseases like arthritis and cancer.
Phytonutrients like the ones in ginger may help by reducing the inflammatory response and protecting your body's cells from DNA damage.
