Ginger has been one of the world’s most popular spices since ancient times. It’s considered one of the most versatile and healthy foods nature has to offer and has a variety of benefits for the health.
More recently, it’s become common to drink ginger in the form of tea or even as a shot. Ginger water can give the body energy and speed up the metabolism, amongst other things.
In this article, I’ve covered a recipe for ginger water to help give you the perfect start to the day. Take a look at the points below to learn more about ginger and how to brew your own ginger water. Feel free to share this article with all your friends and family on Facebook – who knows, maybe they’ll thank you afterwards!
Ginger boost
For hundreds of years, ginger has been used for medicinal purposes, and it’s not difficult to understand why. The spice has many health benefits, such as:
Strengthening the immune system
Ginger contains an abundance of anti-oxidants and also acts as an anti-inflammatory. It’s therefore a good option when it comes to strengthening the immune system and keeping healthy. Keep in mind it’s not a remedy, more a prevention. If a cold has already broken out it won’t do much good – you should take ginger regularly to help fight disease!
Calming your stomach
Ginger can be also be used to help digestion, as it stimulates the intestines and increases the production of digestive enzymes. In addition, it can be used to calm your stomach, reduce gas formation and prevent constipation.
Relieving muscle and joint pain
According to research from the University of Georgia, ingesting ginger daily can ease muscle and joint pain by as much as 25 percent. For best results, eat or drink ginger on an empty stomach in the morning.
Relieving menstrual pain
Ginger’s not only an effective pain reliever for muscles and joints; it can also be used to combat menstrual pain. In one study, 150 women were given ginger during menstration – and the results showed that the spice was as effective as the painkiller ibuprofen.
Ginger and fat burning
You may also have heard that ginger can increase fat burning. Technically, yes, it’s true that you can lose a few kilos and burn fat around your waist, back and thighs through consuming ginger.
However, what you need to keep in mind is that your energy intake must be less than your energy consumption if you are to lose weight. Ginger alone is not enough to induce weight loss – though it has been scientifically proven to contribute.
“We always burn a mixture of carbohydrates and fat. Fat burning is difficult to influence, and the best tip is to build muscles. Food such as ginger and chilli can help increase the body’s heat production marginally,” dietician Karin Magnusson says to Top Health.
Taking ginger in the morning
A common tip is to try and take ginger in the mornings. Studies at Columbia University have shown that people who had a breakfast that included ginger burned 43 extra calories each day.
A quick recipe to make ginger tea is as simple as boiling a cup of water, taking it off the heat when it’s ready, adding a small piece of fresh ginger and leaving it to stand, covered, for five minutes. At the end of the five minutes, add the juice from one lemon.
Ginger water
If you want to actually brew your own ginger water, it’s actually a very simply process.
You need:
- Ginger chopped into fine slices.
- 1.5 litres of water.
- Lemon juice.
Then:
Bring the water to the boil and add the ginger slices. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes and remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir the mixture and add the lemon juice.
Drinking ginger water twice a day can give your body a real boost. If you take a shot of it before breakfast, on an empty stomach, and once again in the evening before dinner, it can be of real benefit.
Thanks to ginger’s health properties, this useful drink can help in an abundance of ways. It’s certainly worth a shot!
Help us help the masses by spreading this article on Facebook with all your friends and family. Hopefully, more people can learn about the benefits of ginger, and live healthier lives as a result.
