Over the first week, I began to notice that I also felt more energised and less fatigued throughout the day. Usually, I hit a slump mid-afternoon. I was amazed by long the effects of one ginger shot lasted.
By the end of the first month, I felt kind of invincible. You have a cold? Don’t worry, I’m immune. Insomnia? Don’t worry, it doesn’t affect me! I even felt that my mood improved as a result of my increased energy levels.
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To further validate my theory about the power of ginger shots, I present you with this piece of evidence: after about a month of religiously taking my daily ginger shot, I went to Canada on a three week holiday. My partner and I were hopping around from place to place and, sadly, no blender and, by extension, no ginger shots. Interestingly, my energy dipped and feeling of cleared out sinus health slowly began to disappear. Ergo, ginger shots — a total game changer.
What are the benefits of taking a daily ginger shot?
Ok, clearly, I am sold on ginger. But what does the science say?
I spoke to Brea Lofton, a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist at Lumen to find out.
First of all, what’s so great about ginger? “Ginger is considered an antioxidant and may be anti-inflammatory. This may help support a healthy immune system,” she says.
And apparently, it really can contribute to higher, more sustained energy levels. “Ginger can also help balance blood glucose levels, which can support sustained energy, reduce fatigue, and help with overall mood,” she says. “Blood glucose spikes and crashes can have negative impacts on energy levels throughout the day.”
So, how long does it take for the daily shot to really kick in, I ask her. “The effects of ginger in conjunction with a healthy diet can start helping blood glucose levels immediately, however, for sustained energy, mood, and immunity this is more of a ‘long game’,” she tells me. “You want to combine ginger shots with other healthful habits to best support your health long-term.”
Lofton does warn that ginger shots may not be suitable for everyone. “For generally healthy individuals, ginger shots should not have negative effects,” she says. “For those with health concerns such as diabetes it is always best to consult with your medical professional.”
Lofton also recommends trying shots that are as natural as possible. She says: “If you do want to consume ginger shots, we recommend focusing on shots that are low in fruit juice or added sweetener as these can have negative impacts on blood glucose levels and can increase your intake of sugar.”
Make your own batch of ginger shots at home
While time-pressed ginger shotters can easily buy single shots or batches from most supermarkets, you can also make your own ginger shots at home — it’s cheaper, less wasteful, and fresher.
We used the BBC Good Food recipe. All you need is fresh ginger, fresh apple juice, a lemon, a blender/ food processor, and a strainer. Match a batch every Sunday and store it in your fridge to have throughout the week. And voila! You too can be powered by ginger.