Ginger Tea: Helps to Lose Weight and Offers Several Health Benefits

Maybe you’ve never heard of mangarataia, but you’ve certainly tried a dish or drink that contained ginger – the most popular name for the food.

Native to Asia, ginger is a root used in both cooking and medicine, as what not everyone knows is that it offers numerous therapeutic benefits. In addition, it is very popular among those who follow a balanced diet and want to lose weight.

With an eye on the advantages that the consumption of this root can provide, ginger tea has gained more and more prominence among people who like to take care of their body and health.

But, after all, does ginger tea really help those who want to lose weight? What health benefits does it offer? Clear all your doubts below!

Ginger tea benefits

The nutritionists Ms. Clarisse Zanette and Ms. Keli Vicenzi, coordinators of the Postgraduate Program in Phytotherapy in Clinical Practice at Faculdade Fátima/RS and postgraduate students in Functional Phytotherapy at VP/UNICSUL, emphasize that teas represent one of the ways of using medicinal plants for domestic use, and their benefits are associated with the properties contained in the plant used. “Like, for example, in the case of ginger, which has anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, etc.”, they comment.

Lucyane Crosara, functional nutritionist, specialist in Phytotherapy, anthroposophic and vibrational therapist, highlights that ginger can be used fresh or dried. “When you make the decoction (tea), you can extract more components,” she says.

Below you know the main benefits of ginger:

It’s thermogenic: Clarisse and Keli explain that ginger is a thermogenic food, as it increases body temperature, accelerating metabolism and facilitating the weight loss process.

Improves digestion: Ginger tea is seen as a good “home remedy” for nausea because, in addition to relaxing the gastrointestinal system, it is a digestion stimulant, helping to stop and prevent nausea. “Ginger is a root or excellent rhizome to improve nausea, gas and digestion”, emphasizes Lucyane.

Protects the heart: Lucyane highlights that ginger is considered a cardiovascular protector.

Protects against colds and flu: nutritionists Clarisse and Keli explain that ginger is a root that, when used as tea, helps in the treatment of flu, colds and coughs. That’s because it strengthens the immune system by fighting the viruses that cause these problems.

It’s antioxidant: Lucyane highlights that ginger tea has antioxidant properties (which prevent the formation of free radicals that favor cellular aging).

It has anti-inflammatory properties: ginger has a substance called gingerol, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, protecting the body from bacteria and fungi. Gingerol is also responsible for the spicy flavor of the root.

It has anticancer action: Lucyane also points out that ginger has anticancer properties, thus being a great ally of health.

Decreases blood glucose: Lucyane highlights that ginger has a hypoglycemic action (lowering blood glucose).

Ginger tea for weight loss?

According to Lucyane, ginger tea can indeed help those who want to lose weight. “That’s because it increases metabolism, which means you burn calories more efficiently,” she says.

In addition, highlights the functional nutritionist, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action helps the body to work better, “which decreases resistance to losing weight (caused mainly by chronic inflammation)”.

“As it facilitates digestion, it also facilitates the absorption of nutrients. And the deficiency of some nutrients also causes weight gain. Ensuring absorption, an efficient fat breakdown is guaranteed”, adds Lucyane.

How to prepare and consume ginger tea

Ginger can be found in powder or as a root (its natural form). Lucyane suggests making ginger tea with the root. Check out the step-by-step, which is very simple:

1. Put 1 teaspoon of the grated root to boil with 150ml of water;
2. When it boils, turn off the fire and stifle for 5 minutes;
3. Strain the tea and serve it warmer.

“I recommend taking it twice a day, usually 30 minutes before lunch and dinner,” says Lucyane.

The functional nutritionist highlights that the ideal is not to sweeten. Another option, according to her, is to use ginger powder to make tea. In this case, one spoon (of coffee) of the powder is used for the same amount of water.

“I’ve seen industrialized ginger teas, but these are sweetened (with sugar or sweetener) and, in this case, much of the therapeutic effect is lost. Not to mention that we should avoid sweeteners and preservatives”, adds the functional nutritionist.

Nutritionists Clarisse Zanette and Keli point out that the consumption of ginger tea should not exceed 300ml per day. “And it should not be consumed continuously for more than 30 days”, they point out.

Ginger tea contraindications

Lucyane highlights that you should avoid excess ginger tea who:

• Has gallstones;
• Has gastric irritation;
• Has high blood pressure;
• Use anticoagulants or blood coagulants.

“That’s because ginger can interfere with all these processes,” he says.

Ginger tea recipes

Lucyane comments that some people find the ginger tea taste strong. “In this case, it is interesting to add drops of lemon or even add 1 piece of pineapple to the boil – it tastes good and multiplies its digestive effect”, she says.

“You can also use the tea in preparations such as cooking rice or sautéing fish and shrimp. It gives an exotic taste to the meal and adds all the benefits of ginger”, adds the functional nutritionist.

Clarisse and Keli point out that many recipes can use ginger tea as a base. “Like, for example, green juice. Instead of using water as a base, tea is used”, they explain. Write down the recipe passed by the nutritionists:

Green juice with ginger tea

• 200ml of ginger tea
• 1 cabbage leaf
• 1 mint leaf
• ½ apple
• 2 slices of pineapple

Preparation: Blend all ingredients in a blender. Then strain and drink cold.

“Other recipes that we can use ginger tea as a base are cakes. Instead of a cup of milk, we use ginger tea, respecting the same amount”, add Keli and Clarisse. Check out a recipe below:

Cake with amaranth

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup demerara sugar or fructose
• 4 tablespoons of oil
• ½ cup of ginger tea
• 1 glass of coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon of chemical yeast
• 1 cup of cassava starch
• 1 cup brown rice flour
• 2 tablespoons of amaranth grains
• 2 tablespoons green banana flour

Preparation: Beat the yolks with the sugar and oil until creamy. Add the coconut milk, banana flour and mix well. Add the tea and add the rice flour, manioc starch and amaranth. Finally, add the yeast which should be a very full tablespoon. Beat the egg whites and gently add the dough. Pour in a greased shape with oil and take it to the preheated oven for 10 minutes at 200°C.

Ginger Tea Options You Can Find

In the market you can find some options of ginger teas (and other flavors), especially in sachets. They can be an idea for a busy day when you won’t have time to prepare tea at home or to take it to work, on a trip, etc. But remember that the ideal is to make the tea with the root itself or with ginger powder.

Check out the gallery below for tea options made with ginger:

Now you know the benefits that ginger tea can offer your health, but remember: its consumption should not be excessive. Therefore, the best way is always to rely on the guidance of a nutritionist to include it in the diet!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.