Ginger makes the top 10 list of fat-fighting foods in an Australian newspaper, and anecdotal evidence of its weight-reduction powers abound. But there's not a lot of science to back up the claims. Ginger has demonstrated limited pounds-shedding, metabolism-boosting properties under clinical conditions, but you may find other health benefits of drinking ginger root tea.
Edible Amphetamine
Australia's "Sunday Telegraph" said ginger is an "edible amphetamine" that can boost metabolism by as much as 20 percent. The newspaper said that imbibing ginger in tea form or adding it as a culinary spice in sweet and savory dishes can limit your body's fat accumulation. Ginger dilates blood vessels and produces body heat in ways similar to garlic, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, mustard and curries. If you're looking for something to eat with your cup of ginger tea, foods that made the "Telegraph's" top 10 list include citrus fruits, berries, lean meat, low-fat dairy products, avocado, chickpeas and sweet potatoes.
Clinical Studies
Two animal studies link ginger to weight loss. Raw ginger helped rats lose weight in a study conducted at Kuwait University and published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" in January 2007. In a more recent study, mice lost weight when ginger was include in their diets even though the mice did not reduce the amount of fat or calories they consumed daily. The second study, led by L.K. Han, was reported in 2008 in the "Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan." Zingerone, a property found in ginger, significantly reduced body weight in mice fed high-fat diets. An extract of ginger root was used in both studies. Ginger root tea is less condensed than an extract but contains the same properties.
Other Health Benefits
Ginger root tea may improve other conditions in addition to the state of your waistline. Its use in Asian, Arabic and Indian cultures dates back more than 2,000 years. It has been used to treat nausea, arthritis and digestion. Ginger's link to digestion may be related to its metabolism-boosting qualities. Ginger has also been used in western cultures to treat morning sickness and the side effects of chemotherapy. It remains under study for treatment of cancer, blood clots and cholesterol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
How to Make
You can make your own ginger tea in two simple ways: Grate a teaspoon of ginger root into a cup and pour boiling water over it. The second method is to place slices or chunks of ginger root into a pot of water and boil until the water turns a golden yellow. The latter method takes longer, but you could make larger quantities of tea and store for future use. Ginger tea is also available commercially, but some of its potency may be lost through processing. Some ginger tea bags also contain additional ingredients.
Safety Considerations
If you buy ginger tea at a store or online, check for additional ingredients and consult with your physician about whether they might be harmful to you. Ginger itself is generally safe, but is ill-advised for persons with gallstones. It could also interfere with blood-thinners, including aspirin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Less serious side effects -- generally caused by taking ginger in large quantities -- include heartburn and diarrhea. Some people suffer irritation in their mouths from drinking ginger tea. If you're among them, you could take ginger in capsule form instead.
References
- "Daily Mail"; Health Boosting Brews; Lucy Elkins; June 2010
- "Biotech Business Week"; Researchers' Work From Kuwait University, Kuwait, Adds to Body of Knowledge; January 2007
- "Drug Week"; Study Results From L.K. Han and Colleagues Update Understanding of Life Sciences; August 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
- "The Express"; Pregnancy Relief That Can Suit You to a Tea; Anne Diamond; August 2001
- "Sunday Telegraph"; Top 10 Fat-Fighting Foods; Christina Larmer; August 2001
Member Comments