Ginger tea has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a wide variety of ailments, registered dietitian Hayley Cimring divulged to The List. Still, you might not think of it as a morning beverage. Although plenty of Americans enjoy starting their day with coffee, it’s also common to kickstart the morning with a cuppa. With so many varieties available — from black tea to green tea — you can enjoy any number of flavors either in a steaming mug or iced cold. Ginger tea, in particular, has a pleasant, sweet taste along with a zing that wakes up the taste buds and gives your breath a nice cleanse — and who doesn’t need that in the morning?
Whether you enjoy a cup or more of ginger tea on a regular basis or are just considering adding it to your diet, you’re probably wondering the effects it has on your health. The List talked to the experts and found out exactly what happens to your body when you drink ginger tea every day.
If you’re pregnant, you may want to start drinking ginger tea every day
Chances are you’ve taken the struggle bus to morning sickness town if you’ve ever been, or currently are, pregnant. In fact, two-thirds of people who get pregnant suffer from the condition, according to the Cornell Chronicle, which shows just how widespread it is.
If you’re attempting to stave off nausea thanks to a bun in the oven, you should consider brewing a cup of ginger tea to keep the vomiting at bay, says certified personal trainer Jamie Hickey. “It’s a great home remedy for pregnant women who are experiencing morning sickness,” he explained to The List. “Ginger has been used to cure nausea from sea sickness and car sickness. It has also been used in relieving nausea in chemotherapy patients.” Yes, ginger is well-equipped to combat all kinds of upset stomachs.
If you’re not pregnant but suffer from menstrual discomfort, ginger tea can help with that too, according to nutritionist Katie Boyd. “It will also help with any bloating you may experience especially around that time of the month,” she revealed.
You will boost your immunity if you drink ginger tea every day
If you’re looking for a natural way to boost your immune system while still not breaking the bank, you may want to consider adding ginger tea to your daily beverage regimen, advised registered dietitian Hayley Cimring. “Ginger has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, not to mention vitamin C,” the expert told The List. “This makes it an excellent natural remedy for supporting a healthy immune system.”
But, how exactly does ginger tea work to strengthen your immune system? “The ginger root contains compounds called gingerols, shogaol and paradols,” Cimring continued. “These cool little compounds are capable of supporting your body’s fight against inflammation and free radicals.”
While drinking ginger tea is not a cure-all by any means, it certainly can’t hurt to have an additional tool in your anti-illness arsenal. And, you know, it doesn’t taste half bad either.
Your mouth will thank you if you drink ginger tea every day
Oral hygiene is, as you well know, all kinds of important, which is why you need to brush your teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time, use the right equipment, have the proper technique, and make sure to floss every day, according to the Mayo Clinic. In doing so, you can protect yourself against tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can take quite the toll on your beautiful pearly whites. Regular checkups at the dentist are also vital for a healthy mouth, as is quitting smoking.
But, if you already do all these things are simply looking to add another layer of protection to your oral hygiene regimen, why not drink ginger tea every day? Henry Hackney, a doctor of dental medicine, told The List, “Its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties kill harmful germs and as a result, keep cavities away.” He continued, saying, “Moreover, using ginger daily supports plaque reduction and strengthens your gums.”
Note that you’ll want to refrain from adding sugar to your ginger tea, however, as drinking sugary beverages can contribute to tooth decay, as noted by the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.
Struggling with tooth pain? Drink ginger tea every day
If you’ve ever experienced a toothache, you well know just how painful and distracting it can be. Fortunately, drinking ginger tea every day can help you deal with that ache, Mike Golpa, doctor of dental surgery, revealed to The List. How? “Raffinose, the main active ingredient in ginger, is a big help in soothing various dental pains,” the expert further explained. “Toothaches caused by infection can be diminished by applying some ginger on it, the same for easing swelling gums.” He also advised that you let the ginger tea cool down some before drinking it so as not to irritate the vulnerable spot in your mouth.
Of course, it is inevitable that you’re going to have to do more than that at some point in time, revealed Henry Hackney, a dentist based in the Chicago area of Illinois. “Please remember that this is just a temporary solution, and a dental visit is a must,” he cautioned when speaking to The List. But certainly having a natural and healthy way to deal with the ache leading up to your appointment is super helpful.
Drinking ginger tea every day can help with indigestion
Most people know the discomfort that comes with eating a meal that’s too large, something that can happen on Thanksgiving, game day, or when you’re out at your favorite restaurant and overdo it. But if you find yourself suffering with heartburn more than two times per week, you may help make up the 15 to 30 percent of Americans who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to Healthline.
If you fall into that category, you may find that drinking ginger tea every day helps you fight GERD, certified personal trainer Jamie Hickey explained to The List. “One of the benefits of ginger tea is that it will help speed up the process of digestion, helping you to empty your stomach and alleviate indigestion and heartburn,” he continued. “Failure to empty your stomach contents is the main reason you’ll experience indigestion.”
Ginger tea is completely natural so if it works for you, awesome! If it doesn’t, though, be sure to talk to your doctor to see what medical options are available, both over-the-counter and prescription.
Drinking ginger tea every day can help keep you regular
Drinking ginger tea every day can help you combat a particularly troublesome issue that stems from digestion. According to registered dietitian Amanda A. Kostro Miller, ginger tea is particularly beneficial to the lower part of your digestive tract. “Ginger can help with bowel regulation and annoying bloat,” she revealed to The List. “Ginger works on the digestive tract to reduce gas and bloating as well as increase GI movement to relieve constipation.”
Ginger tea doesn’t just help get things moving though. If you’re struggling with the opposite issue, diarrhea, sipping on a mug of ginger tea on the reg may just be able to give you some relief. According to Healthline, Eastern practitioners have been prescribing ginger tea as a remedy for loose stool for thousands of years. That’s because it has antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe an irritated colon. On top of that, drinking ginger tea can help to re-hydrate you after an episode of diarrhea, which is vital.
Drinking ginger tea every day can help you fight chronic inflammation
