Tea is the second most consumed beverage all over the world. Having a cup of tea is a refreshing habit among most of us. On the other hand, ginger (Zingiber officinale), which is native to Asia, is a popular root/stem used as spices, nutraceuticals, and pleasure drinks. I personally have a habit of adding a piece of ginger to my cup of tea. In fact, I’m addicted to the taste of this heavenly blend. But is ginger black tea good for you? This was something I was eagerly finding of. Now that I’ve got my answer, I thought of sharing what I have found with you.
Can you add ginger to black tea?
Yes! Adding crushed ginger to black tea is common in Asian cuisine. No evidence is found on the adverse effects of having black tea with ginger. Research and folk medicine suggest having a cup of ginger black tea daily as it gives many health benefits such as weight reduction, blood sugar control, etc.
Both ginger and black tea are abundant in compounds called polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants. These polyphenols aid in the provision of marvelous health benefits for us, the ginger black tea drinkers.
Polyphenols are several biologically active compounds that can keep us healthy. Polyphenols in tea comprise catechins, myricetin, and phenols, while polyphenols in ginger comprise gingerols, shogaols, and catechins.
Research says that catechin can fight against cancer, microbial infections, other viral infections, inflammation, diabetes and work as an active agent to reduce free radicals in our body. These health benefits are driven by various pharmacological effects of ginger black tea, such as anti-ulcer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-lipidemic actions.
Research has shown that ginger black tea blend extracts have higher antioxidant content than ginger or black tea alone. It has further recognized water as the most effective extraction solvent for a ginger black tea blend, which means ginger black tea consumption provides you more health benefits than consuming ginger or black tea separately.
According to research, black tea polyphenols are more effective than green tea polyphenols[1]Pan, H., Gao, Y. and Tu, Y. (2016) ‘molecules Mechanisms of Body Weight Reduction by Black Tea Polyphenols’. doi: 10.3390/molecules21121659.. Besides the polyphenols, amino acids, volatile compounds, and alkaloids in black tea exhibit a range of promising pharmacological properties.
Benefits of black tea with ginger
- It is refreshing
Caffeine is a stimulant for our central nervous system. It makes you feel more energetic, increases your alertness, and makes you stay awake. That’s why most of us have a habit of consuming a cup of tea when we need to defeat sleepiness. Indeed, ginger does not have caffeine in it.
According to research, 1 oz. or 234 mL of brewed black tea has 47 mg of caffeine. But if you want less caffeine, you may use decaffeinated brewed black tea, which contains only 2 mg of caffeine per 1 oz. / 234 mL [2]Lieberman, H. R., Agarwal, S. and Fulgoni, V. L. (2019) ‘Daily Patterns of Caffeine Intake and the Association of Intake with Multiple Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors in US Adults Based on the NHANES 2007–2012 Surveys’, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Elsevier B.V., 119(1), pp. 106–114. doi: 10.1016/J.JAND.2018.08.152..
Ultimately the caffeine content of ginger black tea varies based on the black tea type you use without any effect from ginger. However, caffeine in ginger black tea increases mental alertness and boosts energy giving you a refreshed feeling after an exhausting day. Also, it can help you reduce stress.
- Preventing cardiovascular diseases
Research has confirmed ginger as an effective agent against hypertension and coronary heart disease. Several polyphenols in ginger can act as inhibitors of Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) properties. ACE inhibitors are widely used as a treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Polyphenols in ginger can also prevent lipid peroxidation of your heart, thus protecting you from cardiovascular diseases [3]Y, W., H, Y., X, Z., Q, F., X, G., S, L., R, L., D, C. and Y, M. (2017) ‘Evaluation of daily ginger consumption for the prevention of chronic diseases in adults: A cross-sectional study’, Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). Nutrition, 36, pp. 79–84. doi: 10.1016/J.NUT.2016.05.009.. Ginger oleoresin (a form of ginger extract) is used as a treatment for hyperlipidemia as well. It is proven for its blood lipid (especially triacylglycerides) and cholesterol-reducing effects.
Tea and tea polyphenols have protective action against the oxidation of lipoproteins. Lipoprotein oxidation is a process that contributes to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, tea consumption can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. [4]Khan, N. and Mukhtar, H. (2007) ‘Tea polyphenols for health promotion’, Life sciences. NIH Public Access, 81(7), p. 519. doi: 10.1016/J.LFS.2007.06.011.
Altogether, bioactive compounds in ginger black tea may improve your blood circulation, lower blood pressure, prevent blood clots, relieve heartburn, and help you with lowering blood lipids and cholesterol levels. Thus ultimately, it prevents heart attacks supporting you in maintaining a healthy blood circulatory system.
- Effective pain reliever
Have you ever tried folk medicine for joint pains? If so, you might have found ginger extract in many recipes. Ginger is claimed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-swelling, and pain-relieving properties, according to health studies.
Ginger is a well-known pain-relieving agent for knee pain in osteoarthritis. Having ginger with black tea may help you relax your aching body and relieve your pain quickly. Anti-inflammatory drug treatments could indeed reduce your pain. But such drugs cause gastric ulcers whilst relieving pain [5]Rahmani, A. H., shabrmi, F. M. Al and Aly, S. M. (2014) ‘Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities’, International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. e-Century Publishing Corporation, 6(2), p. 125..
So, why try pain-relieving tablets at once when you have such a natural magical pain reliever? Next time when your body gives you pains and aches; try having a cup of ginger black tea.
Tea polyphenols protect you from rheumatic diseases as well. A study done among 65 to 76-year-old British women has concluded that tea drinkers have higher bone mineral density than non-tea drinkers. Higher bone mineral density is protective against osteoporosis as it delays the onset of the disease[6]VM, H., HM, M. and KT, K. (2000) ‘Tea drinking and bone mineral density in older women’, The American journal of clinical nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr, 71(4), pp. 1003–1007. doi: 10.1093/AJCN/71.4.1003..
Furthermore, ginger black tea aids in relieving migraine headaches, menstrual cramps, sore muscles, etc. [7]Bode, A. M. and Dong, Z. (2011) ‘The Amazing and Mighty Ginger’, Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects: Second Edition. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, pp. 131–156. [8] Rahmani, A. H., shabrmi, F. M. Al and Aly, S. M. (2014) ‘Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities’, International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. e-Century Publishing Corporation, 6(2), p. 125..
- Control blood sugar level
Diabetes, which is a metabolic disorder, has become a major global health problem. Ginger plays a pivotal role in controlling diabetes and its complications. The anti-hyperglycaemic effect of ginger drives this.
Research suggests this effect is due to the inhibition of oxidative stress in the body and the anti-inflammatory process [9] Rahmani, A. H., shabrmi, F. M. Al and Aly, S. M. (2014) ‘Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities’, International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. e-Century Publishing Corporation, 6(2), p. 125..
Specifically, ginger extract in ginger black tea aids in reducing HbA1C levels (a common blood test used to track diabetes) and insulin levels among patients with type 2 diabetes.
- It’s a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the large intestine which requires long-term management. Symptoms of IBS, including cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea/constipation, can be eased by consuming ginger with your tea.
Regardless of gender, both men and women suffer from peptic ulcers (ulcers develop on the inside lining of the stomach and upper segment of your small intestine). Ginger has anti-ulcerative effects. Thus, it can prevent ulcers from developing in your stomach.
Ginger does this via increasing mucus secretion of your stomach lining. Gingerols and shagaols are major components in ginger black tea that contribute to this effect [10] Rahmani, A. H., shabrmi, F. M. Al and Aly, S. M. (2014) ‘Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities’, International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. e-Century Publishing Corporation, 6(2), p. 125..
Ginger black tea is a well-known natural laxative that effectively promotes bowel movements. Thus it can ease defecation, giving you ease in chronic constipation. Ginger has been regularly used for the improvement of digestion as well [11]Rasheed, N. (2020) ‘Ginger and its active constituents as therapeutic agents: Recent perspectives with molecular evidences’, International Journal of Health Sciences. Qassim University, 14(6), p. 1..
- It can make you look younger
Ginger tea plays a remarkable role in preventing and removing freckles. Ginger contains a variety of volatile oils, amino acids required by the human body.
Gingerols in ginger are an antioxidant that can effectively deal with oxygen-free radicals. (Oxygen free radicals cause damage to our body tissues and accelerate the aging process. It triggers various disease conditions as well).
Furthermore, antioxidants in ginger black tea help strengthen the immune system, thus making the consumers healthy.
Also, there are exciting benefits you can get for your hair and skin by drinking black tea.
- Prevent from cancer
Black tea has a strong antioxidant capacity. Thus research suggests regular black tea consumption could prevent and cure cancer. This activity is suggested to be due to regulating oxidative damage for biomolecules of our body, working as endogenous antioxidants, and inhibiting mutagenic pathways of your body [12]BN, S., AK, R., RM, B. and BR, S. (2017) ‘Black tea: Phytochemicals, cancer chemoprevention, and clinical studies’, Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 57(7), pp. 1394–1410. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2014.994700..
Black tea and ginger can prevent several cancer types, such as pancreatic cancer [13]Akimoto, M., Iizuka, M., Kanematsu, R., Yoshida, M. and Takenaga, K. (2015) ‘Anticancer Effect of Ginger Extract against Pancreatic Cancer Cells Mainly through Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Autotic Cell Death’, PLoS ONE. Public Library of Science, 10(5). doi: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0126605. and colon cancer [14]A, J., M, C., C, M., H, M. and EI, O. (2017) ‘Inhibitory Effects of Culinary Herbs and Spices on the Growth of HCA-7 Colorectal Cancer Cells and Their COX-2 Expression’, Nutrients. Nutrients, 9(10). doi: 10.3390/NU9101051..
- Fight against the flu and common cold
Acute viral respiratory illnesses are the most common human infectious disease. The human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is one of the most common airway viruses.
Research suggests fresh but not dried ginger is effective against HRSV-induced plaque formation on airway epithelium. This is done by blocking the attachment of the virus and internalization [15]Chang, J. S., Wang, K. C., Yeh, C. F., Shieh, D. E. and Chiang, L. C. (2013) ‘Fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) has anti-viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines’, Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Elsevier, 145(1), pp. 146–151. doi: 10.1016/J.JEP.2012.10.043..
Theaflavins, another type of polyphenols found in black tea, have several proven effects against several types of viruses such as HCV, influenza A, and influenza B. The same study suggests using tea as a dietary supplement during the COVID-19 pandemic [16]S, M., T, S., S, N. and V, P. (2021) ‘Antiviral activity of green tea and black tea polyphenols in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19: A review’, Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. Phytomedicine, 85. doi: 10.1016/J.PHYMED.2020.153286..
Ginger has been regularly used to fight against the flu and the common cold[17]Rasheed, N. (2020) ‘Ginger and its active constituents as therapeutic agents: Recent perspectives with molecular evidences’, International Journal of Health Sciences. Qassim University, 14(6), p. 1.. Inhaling the steam of ginger black tea is also known to reduce and relieve the common cold symptoms.
Is ginger black tea good for weight loss?
Yes! The unique flavonoids in black tea have weight reduction effects, while ginger contributes to fast calorie burning. So combining black tea and ginger in a beverage collectively promises weight reduction. But remember, you have to consume ginger black tea frequently to have its maximum benefits.
Obesity is a root cause for many chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, several types of cancers, etc.
Though there are drugs to inhibit obesity, their side effects dominate the benefits. Thus the effect of natural remedies for weight loss is favorable. According to research, black tea or ‘fermented tea’ has shown obesity reduction in many animal models.
Ginger could modulate obesity as well. Both ginger and black tea promote the fat breakdown in your body and slow down fat production, leading to less lipid accumulation.
Furthermore, ginger black tea could reduce lipid digestion, absorption, and intake of yours by controlling your appetite. It ultimately leads to reducing your calories intake.
Black tea can also reduce oxidative stress, thus blocking the pathological processes of obesity and comorbidities of obesity [18]Ebrahimzadeh Attari, V., Malek Mahdavi, A., Javadivala, Z., Mahluji, S., Zununi Vahed, S. and Ostadrahimi, A. (2017) ‘A systematic review of the anti-obesity and weight lowering effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and its mechanisms of action’. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5986. [19]Pan, H., Gao, Y. and Tu, Y. (2016) ‘molecules Mechanisms of Body Weight Reduction by Black Tea Polyphenols’. doi: 10.3390/molecules21121659..
Ginger black tea during pregnancy
Pregnant women often experience nausea and vomiting. This sometimes can reduce the optimum food intake of the pregnant mother, which is a threatening condition for the baby. Several compounds in ginger, such as gingerols, shagaols, and galanolactone, can reduce the sensation of nausea and vomit [20]Rahmani, A. H., shabrmi, F. M. Al and Aly, S. M. (2014) ‘Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities’, International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. e-Century Publishing Corporation, 6(2), p. 125..
However, pregnant women should consume herbal products with caution.
During pregnancy, active components in ginger can help you relieve nausea caused by chemotherapy and surgery even.
As ginger is a natural anti-nausea drug, it is beneficial for people who cannot tolerate standard, traditional anti-nausea drugs [21]Haniadka, R., Rajeev, A. G., Palatty, P. L., Arora, R. and Baliga, M. S. (2012) ‘Zingiber officinale (Ginger) as an anti-emetic in cancer chemotherapy: A review’, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18(5), pp. 440–444. doi: 10.1089/ACM.2010.0737.. Gingerols in ginger contribute more to this anti-nausea effect of ginger black tea.
Disadvantages and side effects of ginger black tea
Any food or beverage can have disadvantages along with its benefits. Caffeine is the major ingredient in ginger black tea, which could cause both benefits and disadvantages.
- The caffeine content in ginger black tea may make you flutter, irritable and may cause irregular heartbeat in some people. In some cases, caffeine may raise eye pressure and worsen glaucoma. If you are worried about caffeine content; you may try adding decaffeinated black tea instead of normal black tea during ginger black tea preparation.
- If you are planning to have ginger black tea as an anti-nausea agent after surgery; it is better to get advice from your doctor before consuming it because gingerols in ginger black tea might interfere with blood clotting.
- Consuming ginger black tea just after major meals may interfere with iron absorption; especially when you are having meals rich in non-haem irons[22]A, J., M, C., C, M., H, M. and EI, O. (2017) ‘Inhibitory Effects of Culinary Herbs and Spices on the Growth of HCA-7 Colorectal Cancer Cells and Their COX-2 Expression’, Nutrients. Nutrients, 9(10). doi: 10.3390/NU9101051.. It may cause anemia if you are already having reduced iron levels in your blood. Thus avoid consuming ginger black tea just before and after having major meals.
- Frequent consumption of ginger black tea is questionable for patients with hormone-dependent tumors. Black tea exhibits estrogen-like effects which might contribute to negative health complications for patients with hormone-dependent tumors such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and uterine cancer.
However, no evidence of danger with long-term use of ginger is found, and studies suggest consulting a doctor before starting supplementation [23]Ryan, J. L. and Morrow, G. R. (2010) ‘Ginger’, Oncology nurse edition. NIH Public Access, 24(2), p. 46..
How much ginger black tea to consume?
Several research studies have shown consumption of 1 cup of ginger black tea per day for continuous 3 days is effective for reducing symptoms of slight colds such as runny nose, fever, cough, sore throat, and headache.
Regardless, you get an ample amount of antioxidants by consuming ginger black tea. According to another study consumption, 1g of ginger per day than in your usual diet could reduce your chance of being ill [24]Y, W., H, Y., X, Z., Q, F., X, G., S, L., R, L., D, C. and Y, M. (2017) ‘Evaluation of daily ginger consumption for the prevention of chronic diseases in adults: A cross-sectional study’, Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). Nutrition, 36, pp. 79–84. doi: 10.1016/J.NUT.2016.05.009..
So, if you are a healthy individual and do not have allergies to ginger or black tea, I recommend consuming one cup of ginger black tea daily, and much research suggests having ginger black tea in the morning. But there are important things you should know if you think drink black tea on an empty stomach.
How to make ginger black tea?
Now I’m going to share my own recipe for preparing ginger black tea. You may need a piece of fresh ginger, 1 cup of water at 90C/ 194F, black tea powder, and a strainer.
- First, heat the water gradually up to 90C/ 194F (do not boil the water).
- While water is heating, peel the piece of your fresh ginger and crush it into small pieces. You may need 1 heaped teaspoon of fresh ginger per 1 cup of tea.
- Add crushed ginger to the water, cover the mix with a lid and let it steep for 5 minutes. Then you can add black tea powder as your requirement and mix well.
- Then again, cover the jar with a lid and let the mixture steep for another 5-10 minutes (the more you let the ginger steep, the spicier your tea would be).
- Finally, strain the mixture into a cup to remove tea leaves and ginger particles. Now you have a refreshing ginger black tea. (You may use half a teaspoon of powdered ginger instead of fresh ginger)
- You can simply make it using a ginger black tea bag by letting it steep for 10-15 minutes in a cup of 90C/194F water.
- I recommend you to use fresh ginger rather than dried ginger as there are more gingerols in fresh ginger. Gingerols are the major component in ginger which provides a significant taste.
So now you are aware of the pros and cons of ginger black tea. Obviously, it is good for us and gives us a range of valuable health benefits. It’s up to you to consider the benefits and risks of drinking ginger black tea and adopt it as a life habit.
Bottom-line
Feel free to enjoy a cup of ginger black tea every day and receive its magical health benefits. Stay refreshed with ginger black tea!
References
