Why Ginger Tea Is Our Favorite Fall Drink
Let's get to the root of the matter.
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Sure, ginger tea is delicious — and calming, too, with a spicy kick. It's easy to make, too, and comforting as the temps start to fall. But is it good for you? Yup. As long as you’re drinking tea with actual ginger in it, go ahead and sip away.
Ginger may help reduce inflammation in the body, per a review study in International Journal of Preventive Medicine. And it may also help decrease post-surgery nausea and vomiting, according to a review study in Phytomedicine. “Just like ground ginger, ginger tea has many of the same health benefits of fresh ginger due to its powerful phytonutrients and phytochemical,” says Emily Kyle, MS, RDN, CLT, author of The Hashimoto’s AIP Cookbook. “Sipping on pure ginger tea will provide many desired anti-inflammatory health benefits, which can help with inflammatory conditions like arthritis, gastritis and hepatitis.”
“Ginger has several health benefits — this popular root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and as a natural remedy to help soothe ailments,” says Nadia De La Vega, tea content manager at David’s Tea. “Thanks to its clean and zesty taste, it is widely used to help quell nausea and motion sickness, aid digestion and help soothe nasty colds.”
There’s one caveat with drinking ginger tea: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure to chat with your doctor before regularly consuming any herbal teas. Because the spiciness of ginger may take some getting used to, the tea version can be a good option. “Drinking ginger tea, as opposed to consuming the fresh ingredient, can be easier on the palate and stomach,” notes De La Vega. And you don’t have to drink your ginger tea straight. You can use it as a base for a tropical fruit smoothie, or add it to your favorite pho or curry recipe. “Its characteristic fresh and zingy flavor really comes out when infused in recipes,” adds De La Vega.
Ready to sip some ginger tea? You can of course purchase the store-bought variety, or you can make your own by steeping sliced ginger in hot water — the more ginger you add, and the longer you boil it down, the spicier your resulting tea will be. Also enjoy the following ginger-based drink ideas:
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Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area. She’s a regular contributor to many publications, including EverydayHealth.com, ReadersDigest.com, NBCNews.com, and more. She also pens a recipe-focused blog, Amy’s Eat List, where she shares easy, healthy recipes. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
