Do you often sip a cup of green tea added some ginger slices during winter days? It does not only help you get warm at the right time but also brings about great incredible benefits in the long term.
Both green tea and ginger have great impacts on our health. The powerful antioxidants in green tea has done great in multiple works, from making the skin healthy and youthful, burning fat to improving immune system, reducing the cancer risks.
Regarding ginger, with high levels of Vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals, ginger is extremely beneficial for health. When the two combine, they become one of the most popular and healthiest beverages that you can consume. Keep reading to know more!
Origin of green tea and ginger
Green tea comes from the plant called Camellia sinensis, like black and oolong teas. In fact, they are the same tea but proceed differently. It’s is made from unfermented leaves – that makes it green when being brewed. Nowadays, the amount of green tea produced of this plant is 20-22% and the majority is grown in China, covering 20 provinces.
Original in southern China, ginger (ginger root) is a rhizome of a flowering plant with the same name – ginger and has been used as a spice and as medicine. It spread to India, rest of the Asia and West Africa and currently, India is the greatest producer of ginger in the world.
Nutrients facts of green tea and ginger
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which are beneficial to our health. Its distinctive taste – bitterness is caused by caffeine and a group of chemicals, called catechin polyphenols (commonly known as tannins). Not just that, it contains amino acids, xanthine alkaloids, pectin, saccharides and several vitamins,like Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C, and E.
Ginger provides a variety of vitamins and minerals. In 100 grams of fresh ginger root, there are: Vitamin C (7.7 mg), sodium (14 mg), protein (3.57g), iron (1.15g), carbon hydrate (17.86 mg), and calories (79). It also contains some nutrients like Vitamin B6, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Benefits of ginger green tea
Green tea with ginger is a healthy drink that you may consume regularly. It’s because both of them are beneficial to our health. Take a look at its benefits:
Reduce the risks of cancer
The proper intake of green tea with ginger may lower the risks of cancer. The anti-cancer properties in ginger and powerful antioxidant in green tea, especially catechins (tannins) plays an important role in eliminating free radicals, cancelling cancerous cells and preventing them from rising and scattering.
Free radicals is primarily leading contributor of cancers, Parkinson’s and numerous other debilitating and terminal diseases. They occur in our bodies both naturally and through exposure to environmental toxins, like UV rays from the sun and cigarette smoke.
Improve blood circulation
Drinking ginger green tea may improve blood circulation. The vitamins, minerals and amino acids that it holds help decrease the chance of cardiovascular problems. It’s also supposed that ginger may prevent fat from depositing in the arteries helping to prevent heart attacks and stroke.
Control diabetes
The powerful antioxidants present in green tea are effective in lessening dangerous properties of diabetes caused by genetic factors, life style choice or a combination of the two.
For those, who were diagnosed with diabetes, drinking a cup of ginger green tea will help regulate your blood sugar level. Even when you are not a victim of diabetes, this healthy drink will work as a preventative measure when consumed on a daily routine.
Strengthen immunity
Ginger green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, a natural defense against infections and inflammations, making it an unexpected antibiotic that you can safely add to your diet.
The catechins in green tea have ant-viral and anti-bacterial properties that can help prevent bacteria and viruses from attaching themselves to cell walls in order to infect them.
Not just that, the tea can help in fighting respiratory problems associated with environmental allergies like common cold and flu.
Aid in skin
Ginger green tea can keep your skin looking healthy and youthful thanks to antibacterial properties and antioxidants. They can protect your skin from aging and skin-damage causes like external pollutants and free radicals, thereby help in fighting off wrinkles, skin sagging and a variety of other skin problems.
Relieve nausa
Drink a hot cup of ginger green tea can decrease nausea and vomit associated with motion sickness. For those, who are enduring nausea from pregnancy, consuming ginger green tea or ginger tea is effective to ease their stomach and aid digestion.
Even if you have travel sick, a cup of this concoction will help a lot in preventing nausea and related symptoms.
Ease arthritis pain
If you often experience the pains in your joint, you must hear about the benefits of ginger in easing them. The anti-inflammatory property of ginger and antioxidants in green tea help in this case. Not just that, those who always get cold feet in winter, giving foot a bath of ginger, warm water and some salt in about 15 minutes will help warm the body up and get circulation moving.
Relax
Ginger green tea can calm down your mind due to the tea’s caffeine and ginger’s strong aroma and healing properties. After a long day, it would be great to sit back and sip a hot cup of green tea added some slices of ginger root. It enables you to totally relax, then, recover from stress and tension.
Green tea with ginger recipe
As ginger green tea is one of the favorite daily drinks in winter, it could definitely be right at home. The recipe is super simple: putting 2 or 3 thin slices of ginger to a cup of hot water.
To enjoy the best benefits, you may add a slice of lemon or a spoon of honey. By doing so, you can receive a better flavor and additional benefits, including Vitamin C and antibacterial properties.
Potential side-effects of ginger green tea
Ginger green tea is relatively safe for a regular intake. However, it may have several side effects. The first must comes to the caffeine presenting in green tea. Although it help in giving you some energy boost, it may do harm when consumed in a long term, causing adverse effects on the liver and internal organs.
The second is the excessive consumption of ginger. When taking too much ginger, you may experience heartburn or diarrhea. Finally, if you are diagnosed with diabetes or at pregnancy, you must consult your doctor about whether or not the this concoction may help you.
During winter days or at the end of hard-working days, treat yourself a hot cup of ginger green tea would be a great thing. Not just to relax at the right time but enjoy the long-term benefits it brings to your health. Make sure that you consume a proper amount and follow the advice of doctor before taking it.