Do ginger shots really do anything? I asked 2 experts and took them every day for a month to find out
WHILE immunity boosting isn’t new, particularly for those with young kids, it’s likely been on our minds a lot more since the pandemic.
There’s been a range of products released over the years, from probiotic yogurt drinks to kombucha, and all manner of vitamins and supplements.
But one of the most accessible – and perhaps appealing – is ginger shots.
Ginger has long been renowned for its wellness benefits, helping with things like nausea and vomiting.
It is also said to aid weight loss, as well as lower blood pressure, ease joint pain, treat indigestion, relieve period cramps, protect against Alzheimer’s and potentially even help us live longer.
Many of us – including celebs like Anna Kendrick, Selena Gomez and Eva Longoria – are now shotting it like tequila at our kitchen tables.
Pitch Perfect star Anna told Shape: “I am powered by ginger. I keep wellness shots of ginger, lemon and cayenne pepper in my fridge.
“If I’m travelling and I can’t have ginger, I feel sick. I’m positive it’s the only thing keeping me alive.”
Meanwhile, singer Selena said the shots “kill all the bad things” inside her, and Desperate Housewives actress Eva revealed she loves her homemade version, which also contains lemon, lime, orange, honey, turmeric and cayenne pepper.
But do ginger shots really do anything?
Registered dietitian and author of How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed Nichola Ludlam-Raine tells Sun Health: “Ginger has been shown to aid digestion and may help reduce nausea and inflammation.
“It can also contribute to heart health and support blood sugar regulation when consumed as part of a healthy, varied diet.”
Ginger didn’t hit the market in its concentrated shot form until the early 2010s, when companies like Press London and Plenish began incorporating ginger shots into their product lines.
But Nichola says there may be a setback to consuming ginger in this way.
“Ginger shots should not be relied upon as a magic bullet for health as the amount of ginger they actually contain will vary,” she says.
“They also are often combined with fruit juice, which should be limited to 150ml a day to control free-sugar intake.”
She prefers to advise patients to add ground ginger to yoghurt or porridge.
But if you’re still interested in giving them a try, here is everything you need to know…
My test
DESPITE the weather warming up (a bit anyway), trains, offices and supermarkets are still full of people coughing and spluttering.
Norovirus rates in the UK have also skyrocketed, and after getting it twice in the space of four months, I knew I needed a change. So I started looking into immunity boosting hacks.
I’d tried probiotic yoghurt drinks but as someone who was also trying to cut down on dairy, I needed another option.
Of course, I knew all about the existence ginger shots – they’ve been on the supermarket shelves for years – but I’d never put the time and effort into actually taking them regularly.
I had also heard rumours that drinking ginger first thing in the morning would damage the enamel on my teeth, so I was a little apprehensive.
That being said, with friends and colleagues repeatedly falling ill, I decided it was worth it if it would get me back on my feet, and decided I’d test ginger shots for a few weeks.
Is it worth buying ginger shots?
I WANTED to try shop-bought ginger shots first as there are so many new products out there.
I picked up the MOJU Fresh Root Ginger Shots and was lucky enough to find them on offer. Usually you’re looking at £6 or more for a bottle.
A bottle of the classic MOJU contains apple, ginger root (20 per cent), lemon, acerola cherry powder, antioxidant: ascorbic acid.
While incredibly convenient to just pick up a bottle, you aren’t in control of everything that’s added in!
Shop-bought first impressions
IT tastes great — that was my immediate thought when I had my first Monday morning MOJU shot.
Not too spicy, and surprisingly sweet considering it’s positioned as a health food option.
It was a nice way to start the day and I might say a good way to wake yourself up first thing.
I’d heard ginger shots are most beneficial if you have them in the morning before anything else, but is it necessarily true that you need to knock them back in the AM?
If you enjoy them and they make you feel good, they can be a great addition to your routine, but they’re not an essential health fix on their own
Nichola Ludlam-Raine
Nichola says: “There’s no definitive evidence that taking a ginger shot first thing in the morning enhances its benefits, but some people prefer it on an empty stomach to aid digestion.
“Pairing ginger with turmeric, which contains curcumin, may offer additional anti-inflammatory effects — especially when consumed with black pepper to enhance absorption.
“However, for those with acid reflux or a sensitive stomach, concentrated ginger shots may cause irritation.
“In these cases, consuming ginger in food or as a tea may be a gentler alternative.”
I didn’t get a sensitive stomach consuming ginger every morning and really, the most important thing for me, I didn’t get ill at all during the time I had these — not even a sniffly nose! So, maybe they were doing something.
How to make your own ginger shots
AFTER one week testing the shop-bought shots, and seeing some noticeable changes, though nothing major, I decided to make my own to see if that would make a bigger difference.
There are thousands of different ginger shot recipes online so I used these as inspiration when coming up with my own.
I used fresh ginger root (£5.50 per kg), turmeric root (£15 per kg) and Tesco’s Lemon, Ginger and Apple Juice (£2 for 1litre).
Normally you’d use classic apple juice, but as I wanted to use lemon in my shots anyway, this seemed like a happy medium.
A lot of the recipes I’d seen online used juicers but unfortunately as someone who isn’t blessed with a Ninja Cold Press Juicer, I had to do it the old fashioned way.
However, this was surprisingly easy – you just need a regular blender and a sieve.
Blend ginger root, turmeric root and a fair splash of the juice and you’ll get a kind of paste. From here, just sieve this into a jug or jar.
You may be surprised by how little juice this makes but I topped mine up with the shop-bought juice and there was plenty.
Homemade first impressions
THESE hit a lot harder in terms of spice — it could be the fresh ginger or the turmeric but the flavour was a lot stronger. And also notably sweet.
If I was going to make my own ginger shots again, I’d recommend using a low or no-sugar juice or an alternative like coconut water so it would be less sweet.
Though that could push up the cost!
Shop-bought vs homemade ginger shots
OVERALL it was close, but the freshness and quality of ingredients was always going to be better in something you make yourself from scratch.
However, I found the pre-made MOJU shots improved my immune system just as well, so if you’re looking for convenience, they’re still a fantastic option.
Are ginger shots bad for your teeth?
AFTER taking ginger shots every day for several weeks, I hadn’t noticed any difference in the sensitivity or colour of my teeth.
But often these things build up over time – so will ginger shots damage my gnashers?
Dr Rizwan Mahmood, dentist at Ruh Dental, says: “Not necessarily, but they can if they contain acidic ingredients like lemon juice, which most of them do.
“Acidic drinks can wear down enamel over time, making your teeth more sensitive and prone to cavities.
“So, if your ginger shot is really citrusy it might be worth drinking it through a straw to minimise contact with your teeth.
“If you already struggle with sensitive teeth, it’s a good idea to check in with your dentist to see if your enamel needs some extra protection.
“It’s worth noting that a lot of ginger shots also include turmeric, which stains everything, including teeth!
“This shouldn’t be an issue in moderation, but regular consumption could lead to gradual discolouration over time.”
The health benefits of ginger
YOU can buy it fresh, dried, powdered or as an oil or juice, and it's found in everything from curries to smoothies.
But is ginger really as good for you as people say it is?
- Research by the Catholic University of San Antonio de Murcia found ginger to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
- A study by Seoul National University found it to be effective against nausea, including pregnancy-related morning sickness.
- Taking a ginger supplement significantly reduced body weight and waist-to-hip ratio in overweight or obese people in a review published in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
- Ginger could also reduce pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis, according to a review in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.
- A study by Kashan University of Medical Sciences found a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes after taking ginger supplements.
- Researchers at Policlinico di Monza in Milan discovered that consuming ginger before eating a main meal significantly improved symptoms of indigestion.
- A study published in the Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggested ginger could be as effective as ibuprofen in relieving menstrual pain.
- A review of 26 trials by Tabriz University of Medical Sciences found ginger lowered levels of bad cholesterol linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
- Certain compounds in ginger may help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, according to research published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
- Ginger’s antimicrobial properties could also make it useful for fighting bacterial and fungal infections, scientists at Busitema University say.
I also spoke to him about the impact of having an acidic drink first thing in the morning and whether it could damage your teeth.
“It’s not the worst thing, but it’s not ideal either,” he says.
“Your enamel is a bit more vulnerable in the morning, and if you’re having something acidic, it can soften it temporarily.”
He went on to explain that brushing immediately afterwards could actually do more harm than good.
“It’s best to rinse your mouth with water and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.” he adds.
Does taking ginger shots every day boost your immune system?
SO the question we all want to know – will ginger shots actually keep us well?
The answer is, maybe.
“Ginger contains beneficial compounds such as gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” Nichola says.
“While these properties can support overall health, there is currently limited strong evidence to suggest that ginger shots alone significantly improve the immune system or prevent illness.”
She adds: “While ginger shots can be a convenient way to include ginger in your diet, they should not replace a balanced diet or healthy lifestyle.
“If you enjoy them and they make you feel good, they can be a great addition to your routine, but they’re not an essential health fix on their own.
“As with any concentrated food or supplement, moderation is key!”
Personally, I felt a measurable but marginal improvement within my health and overall vitality while taking ginger shots.
And it’s hard to say if I was feeling the effects of ginger shots or just finally feeling better after several bouts of illness.
Either way, I think that taking ginger shots can be a fun, and tasty way to begin your day.