Ginger Tea for Weight Loss

Many people are familiar with the aroma and taste of ginger when used as a spice; it is used in many recipes all over the world. Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for many different conditions, many of which deal with the stimulation of the digestive tract. The use of ginger tea for weight loss, however, does not appear to be very effective.

Does Ginger Tea Work for Weight Loss?

There is no scientific research to support that drinking ginger tea for weight loss is effective or useful. Ginger tea can be effective in some digestive processes, it is commonly used to reduce vomiting and nausea. Many people at one time or another drink ginger ale for an upset stomach,and it may even be given in some hospitals for light nausea. Although this may seem a good indication that ginger tea would be useful for weight loss, no medical evidence can support these claims. Ginger is often used as an appetite stimulant, which would not helpful for people who want to lose weight. Ginger tea is a good, healthy and natural beverage but may not be useful for weight loss.

Other Concerns

Using ginger in low doses does not cause any known harm for most people: 4 grams of dry root per day is judged as safe. The use of ginger with pregnant woman appears to be a bit of a controversy. While low doses of ginger have been found to help with morning sickness, TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) advises caution using ginger when pregnant. For pregnant women, the daily dose should not exceed 1 gram per day of dry ginger. Ginger tea is diluted, and drinking two to three cups a day should be safe for the average, non-pregnant adult.

Making Ginger Tea

Even though ginger tea may or may not help you lose weight, it is still a low-calorie, healthy beverage and you can judge for yourself if it helps with your diet plan. To make the freshest ginger tea, start with the ginger root which can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores. There are many ginger tea recipes that use ginger root powder or tea bags, but by starting with the root itself gives the tea a fresher, crisper flavor.