This morning, right before I made my way to the office, I stopped by Joe and the Juice and headed straight for the ginger shots. And yes, I did down it like I'd made it to midnight on New Year's Eve. This has become something of a ritual of mine. Every single time I feel a little off or under the weather, ginger shots are the first line of defense. But… do they actually work?

The idea of using ginger as a traditional herbal remedy for general health problems first originated in China and India over 5,000 years ago. Fast forward to today, and it's a root that TikTokers and Very Famous People all swear by. Selena Gomez is just one adherent, who endorsed ginger shots in 2016 on an appearance of Carpool Karaoke. And according to trend platform Glimpse, searches for ginger shots have skyrocketed by almost 40 percent over the past few months.

What are ginger shots?

In a 2020 interview with Shape Magazine actor Anna Kendrick once said, “I am powered by ginger… If I’m traveling and I can’t have ginger, I’ll feel sick. There was a time when I was in Germany for three months and I couldn’t find a crushed juice place. So I bought a juicer and a bunch of ginger to make it myself because I was positive it was the only thing keeping me alive.”

Ginger shots have slowly but surely infiltrated the diets of many, and they're basically concentrated beverages made with fresh ginger juice. Because ginger can be pretty spicy and not all that pleasant by itself, the shots themselves are often infused with lemon or orange juice to make things a little more palatable.

What are the benefits?

“Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties attributed to compounds such as gingerol,” says Clarissa Lenherr, a London-based nutritionist who has spent the last couple of years re-educating and removing the stigmas and preconceptions around health and wellness. “So ginger shots may help support a healthy immune system.”

If you suffer from nausea or motion sickness, ginger shots should definitely be on your radar. According to a 2020 paper by American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology (or ACOG, for short), they're an acceptable non-pharmaceutical remedy. This is supported by research conducted by the Osakidetza-Basque Health Service in Spain that found ginger to be “an effective and inexpensive treatment,” which is nice to know.

“Ginger contains certain enzymes that may help with bloating, reducing gas and constipation, so may help those with IBS,” says Lenherr. “It also has vasodilatory effects, meaning it can help relax blood vessels and potentially improve blood circulation. But, one of the main reasons why so many people have started drinking ginger shots is because it has been shown to have positive effects on glucose management and insulin sensitivity.” This essentially means that it can balance out your blood sugar levels, give you a boost of energy and improve your mood.

In a 2009 issue of the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, a 30-day study found that ginger can increase the level of two of the most important mood-boosting neurotransmitters: serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is known as the “happiness molecule” and dopamine is called the “motivation molecule,” so while ginger shots won't cure you of absolutely all of your aches and pains, they may actually help a little.

“Ginger shots are awesome and, as you can already see, there's plenty of evidence out there to back this up,” says Amanda Hamilton, a nutritional expert and author of number-one Amazon bestseller The G Plan Diet. “However, you should bear in mind that the quality of the research behind this science doesn't always stand up to scrutiny, and trials are small-scale. And, while ginger does have some positive effects on things like your immune system, nausea, and bloating, it might not work for everyone and depends on a series of factors that might be out of your control. Not everyone will experience the same benefits, if any at all.”

A 2020 article by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) also found that a selection of people experienced “discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation” after consuming the root. If you encounter any of these side effects, it's recommended that you stop taking it as soon as possible.

Can ginger shots help you lose weight?

Ginger shots sound great so far, and proponents often point to their magical ability to help one lose a few pounds. It all sounds too good to be true. Which should make you dubious.

In an experiment by the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, a series of clinical trials were held to look into the effects of ginger shots on weight. It found that regular consumption may reduce body weight and waist-to-hip ratio—an indicator of fat around the waist. Additionally, a 2020 study tested the effects of ginger water on weight loss and the metabolism of certain nutrients. The data suggested that ginger could prevent obesity and obesity-related conditions. However, it's very, very important to note that these results may not be entirely accurate.

“The science isn’t fully there to full support this yet,” says Lenherr. “A substantial portion of the research relies on animal studies or in vitro experiments using human cells in controlled environments, and therefore we need further extensive research before endorsing ginger shots as a way to lose weight.”

Who should avoid drinking ginger shots?

“If you get acid reflux or have a sensitive stomach, I advise diluting the ginger shot in some water and testing your tolerance and reaction,” says Lenherr. “While ginger is sometimes recommended to alleviate morning sickness, it's essential that you seek guidance from a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and ensure safety during pregnancy.”

“Not much is known about whether it’s safe to use ginger while breastfeeding,” says Hamilton. “Furthermore, ginger contains something called salicylate, which is a natural blood thinner. So if you're on blood thinning meds like warfarin or rivaroxaban, taking ginger shots might not be a good idea. If you want to try them though, contact your doctor or GP and they'll give you the best advice.”

Should you drink ginger shots every day?

“If you feel good and enjoy the taste of ginger, and you don’t have any health concerns and aren’t on any medications, then you can enjoy and use ginger shots daily,” says Lenherr. “One thing to add is that many ginger shots have added ingredients which can potentially provide other benefits such as turmeric, lemon juice, cayenne, and apple cider vinegar.”

“There's no one size-fits-all approach when it comes to the frequency of dosage,” says Hamilton. “However, it's helpful to remind ourselves that there's no such thing as a magic bullet. Ginger shots won't undo excess in other aspects of our diet or lifestyle, but it can be an accessible addition to an overall plan.”

Which ginger shots should you be drinking?

“I would recommend either buying good quality ginger shots with no artificial sweeteners and low in fruit juice,” says Lenherr. But, over the past couple of months, influencers and nutritionists have been taking over platforms like Instagram and TikTok to show off their own homemade recipes, and they've become surprisingly popular.

If you're thinking of making them yourself (look at you!), you can adjust the ingredients to match your own personal preferences and go organic to make them extra healthy and extra fresh. Also, if you've ever bought a ginger shot, you'd know that they can be expensive. Homemade will save you a few bucks.

This story originally ran on British GQ.

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Adam Cheung is a writer who specialises in sneakers and streetwear. Over the past few years, he's curated features and guides for everyone from Burberry to Nike. Often travelling between the UK and Hong Kong, don't be too surprised if you find Adam anywhere else around the world taking street... Read moreInstagramLinkedInRelated Stories for GQHealthFood