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NUTRITION
Evidence Based

What Are Ginger Shots? Everything

You Need to Know

By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Updated on March 15, 2023

 What they are
 Benefits
 Downsides
 Recipe
 Bottom line
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How we vet brands and products

The health benefits of ginger shots may include decreasing

inflammation, calming indigestion, and boosting immunity. But watch
out for their sugar content when buying or making them.
Ginger shots, which are drinks made from concentrated amounts of ginger root (Zingiber
officinale), are claimed to help ward off illness and boost your immune system.

Although ginger shots have only recently become popular in the wellness community,
ginger elixirs have been used since ancient times to treat a variety of ailments (1Trusted
Source).

While ginger offers impressive health attributes, you may wonder whether taking ginger
shots is truly beneficial.

This article reviews ginger shots, including their potential benefits, downsides, and
ingredients.

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What are ginger shots?

Ginger shots are concentrated beverages made with fresh ginger. The ingredients vary
depending on the recipe.
Some shots contain only fresh ginger juice, while others include lemon juice, orange
juice, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and/or manuka honey.

They’re made by juicing fresh ginger root or combining fresh, grated ginger with other
juices, such as lemon or orange.

Ginger shots are available pre-made or made to order at juiceries or specialty health food
stores.

You can also whip them up at home by using a juicer, adding freshly grated ginger to
citrus juice, or mixing a knob of ginger with other ingredients in a high-powered blender.

Due to their high concentration of this powerful root, ginger shots can be spicy and
unpleasant to drink. Thus, they’re made in small quantities and typically consumed in one
or two swigs.

SUMMARY

Ginger shots are compact drinks made from juiced or grated ginger root. They’re
sometimes combined with various other ingredients like lemon juice or manuka honey.

Potential health benefits of ginger shots

Ginger may boost your health in many ways.

Although robust evidence supports its benefits, research on the shots themselves is
limited.

As most of the following research is based on high-dose ginger supplements, it’s unclear
whether ginger shots have the same effects.

Powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

Ginger boasts many potent anti-inflammatory compounds, including a variety
of antioxidants, which are substances that protect your body from damage by unstable
molecules called free radicals.

For example, ginger is packed with gingerols, paradols, sesquiterpenes, shogaols, and
zingerone, all of which have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
(2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

Numerous test-tube and animal studies show that ginger extract reduces inflammation in
those with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory gut disease, asthma, and
certain cancers (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

Human studies reveal similar results.

A 2-month study in 64 people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 2 grams of ginger
powder daily significantly reduced levels of inflammatory proteins like tumor necrosis
factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and C-reactive protein (CRP), compared to taking a placebo
(8Trusted Source).

In another study, male athletes who received 1.5 grams of ginger powder daily for 6
weeks had significant reductions in levels of inflammatory markers, such as TNF-alpha,
interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1-beta), compared to athletes who
received a placebo (9Trusted Source).

Additionally, other common ingredients found in ginger shots, including lemon and
turmeric, have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (10Trusted
Source, 11Trusted Source).

May soothe nausea and digestive issues

Ginger is a common natural treatment for stomach issues, such as bloating and
indigestion.
Studies demonstrate that supplementing with ginger can help increase the movement of
food through your stomach, improve indigestion, decrease bloating, and reduce intestinal
cramping (12Trusted Source).

Ginger is also used to help treat nausea and often taken by pregnant women seeking
a natural and effective nausea remedy that is safe for both them and their baby.

A study in 120 pregnant women showed that those who took 750 mg of ginger daily for 4
days experienced significant reductions in nausea and vomiting compared to a control
group. No adverse side effects were reported (13Trusted Source).

Ginger may also help relieve nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy and surgery
(14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).

Additionally, animal studies suggest that ginger may protect against and treat stomach
ulcers (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

May benefit immune health

Due to its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, ginger may boost immune
health.

Although acute inflammation is an important part of normal immune response, chronic

inflammation can harm your immune system, potentially increasing your chances of
illness (18Trusted Source).

Upping your intake of antioxidant-rich foods and beverages like ginger shots may combat
inflammation and keep your immune system healthy.

Many test-tube and animal studies suggest that ginger can enhance immune response.
What’s more, ginger has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties (19Trusted
Source, 20Trusted Source).
One test-tube study found that fresh ginger had antiviral effects against human respiratory
syncytial virus (HRSV), which causes respiratory infections, and helped boost immune
response against HRSV (21Trusted Source).

Plus, many common ginger shot ingredients, such as honey and lemon juice, may
also improve immune health. For example, both honey and lemon have been shown to
have antibacterial and antiviral effects (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).

Additionally, honey may safeguard your immune system and enhance immune response

(24Trusted Source).

Other benefits

Aside from the above benefits, ginger shots may:

 Benefit blood sugar control. Several studies note that ginger supplements

can reduce blood sugar levels and improve hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-
term blood sugar control (25Trusted Source).

 Boost weight loss. Ginger has been shown to significantly reduce body weight,
decrease hunger, and increase the thermic effect of food, or the calories you burn
during digestion (26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source).

 Exhibit anticancer properties. Research indicates that ginger may help protect

against certain types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, possibly due to its
antioxidant content (28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).

Depending on additional ingredients, such as spinach and apple, ginger shots may offer
other health benefits, too.

SUMMARY

Ginger and other ingredients added to ginger shots may help reduce inflammation,
decrease digestive issues, and enhance immune function, alongside other benefits.
Ginger shot downsides
While downing a ginger shot is generally considered safe for most people, there are some
potential side effects worth noting.

Ginger, especially when consumed in large amounts, might have blood-thinning effects.
However, research in this area is mixed, as some studies find that ginger has no effect on
blood thinning (30Trusted Source).

Nevertheless, those taking blood thinners like Warfarin may want to avoid ginger shots
and moderate their ginger consumption.

As ginger may decrease blood sugar levels, people with diabetes on certain blood sugar
medications should be mindful about consuming large doses of ginger.

That said, this blood-sugar-lowering effect is only associated with concentrated ginger
supplements, not necessarily ginger shots (25Trusted Source).

Additionally, people who are allergic to ginger should avoid ginger shots (31Trusted
Source).

Added sugar is also a concern. Some recipes call for sweeteners, such as honey or agave
nectar, and use fruit juices like orange juice to blunt the spicy taste of ginger.

While consuming a small amount of juice or honey is not harmful, regularly downing
ginger shots with added sugar or fruit juice may lead to excess calorie intake and blood
sugar issues (32Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Ginger shots are generally safe. Still, concentrated ginger products may thin blood and
reduce blood sugar levels. Be mindful of added sugar in ginger shots as well.

How to make ginger shots at home

Juice bars regularly make various types of ginger shots, including some with unique
ingredients like spirulina or cayenne pepper.

Pre-made ginger shots can also be purchased at specialty grocery and health food stores,
as well as online.

However, it’s quite easy to make your own ginger shots in the comfort of your kitchen. If
you don’t have a juicer, you can use a blender instead.

1. Combine 1/4 cup (24 grams) of peeled, fresh ginger root with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of
freshly squeezed lemon juice.

2. Blend on high speed until cloudy.

3. Pour the mixture through a fine strainer and reserve the juice.

Enjoy 1 ounce (30 ml) of this ginger mixture daily and store the rest in your refrigerator
in an airtight bottle.

If you want to get creative, try adding other ingredients like a dash of cinnamon
or cayenne pepper. Many possible flavor combinations and recipes are available online.

If using sweet ingredients, such as apple juice, orange juice, or honey, start with only a
small amount to limit your sugar intake.

SUMMARY

You can easily make ginger shots at home or order pre-made ones online. Depending on
your tastes, mix up your shots with added ingredients like spirulina or honey.

The bottom line

Ginger shots are a popular wellness beverage that may provide health benefits.

Ginger and other shot ingredients like lemon juice may help reduce inflammation, soothe
digestive issues, and enhance immune function.
That said, it’s best to watch out for added sugar in pre- or homemade shots.

Try making your own ginger shots for a tasty, powerful health boost.

How we reviewed this article:

HISTORY
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles
when new information becomes available.

Current Version
Mar 15, 2023

Written By
Jillian Kubala MS, RD

Edited By
Alina Sharon

May 3, 2019

Written By
Jillian Kubala MS, RD

Edited By
Alina Sharon

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