Benefits Of Ginger And Honey Tea

Overview

Ginger and honey tea is a delicious drink which can be bought as packets of tea bags, but it can also be made at home by following recipes which are readily available online. In their separate forms, ginger and honey both have various uses within traditional medicine, and their medicinal benefits can still be seen today, although the consumption of these for health benefits is considered to be a home remedy. 

Modern studies suggest that honey has been found to be beneficial to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous system health, as well as having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.¹ Honey is most commonly consumed as a food, but some people prefer to use it as a sweetener in drinks. Ginger is known to provide benefits to gastrointestinal health and it contains antioxidants.² Additionally, ginger may work as an anti-inflammatory,but more research is needed to confirm this. Ginger can be consumed in a variety of forms including through drinks such as ginger ale and ginger tea, and foods such as ginger biscuits, but ginger ale and ginger biscuits typically contain a higher sugar content than ginger tea. 

So honey and ginger have various uses and health benefits separately, but what are the benefits when these ingredients are combined? 

About ginger and honey tea

Health benefits of ginger and honey tea

There are various benefits that come from drinking ginger and honey tea including nausea relief, relief from coughs, supporting heart health, weight management and weight loss.

Ginger has been used for hundreds of years as a traditional remedy for nausea and vomiting, and recent clinical studies have shown that it is an effective alternative treatment for nausea for those who do not want to use traditional medications. Additionally, studies have found that ginger is particularly effective for treating nausea and vomiting caused by morning sickness³ which, despite the name, can occur at any time of the day. 

The main active compounds in fresh ginger are gingerols and shogaols, and research suggests that it is these compounds which contribute to the nausea relieving properties of ginger. This happens through the ginger increasing the responsiveness of the digestive system and the speed of stomach emptying, which is thought to reduce nausea.⁴ The consumption of honey has also been found to reduce the experience of nausea and vomiting.⁵ Drinking these together in the form of tea has been found to be very effective in the relief of the symptoms of morning sickness. 

Honey has been used in the past as a method to relieve coughs and sore throats, and it is still used in the modern day for the same purpose. Studies have found that honey is particularly effective as an alternative method in the treatment of coughs, as it acts as a cough suppressant. One study in particular found that honey was effective in treating children’s coughs, as it reduced the frequency and severity of coughing.⁶ Honey is also frequently used for the treatment of sore throats, as it contains many anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial compounds. Additionally, although evidence is largely anecdotal, the drinking of a warm drink is often found to be soothing for sore throats by many people. 

The benefits of both ginger and honey on heart health have been studied throughout the years, and there is evidence that both are beneficial. Honey has been found by studies to be beneficial to the heart through reducing the risk of heart failure. This is because honey contains antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which have a protective role in the functioning of the heart through ensuring the proper dilation of the blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure.^1,7 Ginger has been found to be effective in reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), especially when taken daily.⁸

The consumption of ginger has some benefits for weight management and weight loss, which has been shown across various studies. It is suggested that ginger does this in a variety of ways, including increasing thermogenesis, finhibiting fat absorption, and helping with appetite control.⁹ Thermogenesis is the production of heat in the body which helps to burn fat. Honey’s role in weight loss, on the other hand, is a little complicated. In animal studies, honey was found to reduce weight and fat composition. However, in clinical trials, honey was found to have little to no effect on weight.¹⁰

Nutrients from ginger and honey tea

Ginger and honey both contain various nutrients, including a range of vitamins and minerals. Some of the vitamins included within ginger are: Vitamins B3, B6, and C. The minerals that can be found in ginger include: iron, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. 

The various vitamins found within honey include: ascorbic acid, niacin, riboflavin. The minerals that are found within honey include: calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc.¹¹

Diet tips for ginger and honey tea

Although there is some debate over the effectiveness of honey in weight loss, the ginger content of ginger and honey tea may be beneficial to add to the diet to promote weight management.  

When is the best time to drink?

Most research suggests that the best time to drink ginger and honey tea to promote weight loss is in the morning, especially before eating. 

How much is enough?

Studies suggest that drinking one or two cups of ginger and honey tea per day is enough to see the weight loss related benefits of the drink. 

Who should and should not drink it?

Ginger and honey tea is generally safe for everyone to use, however there are some circumstances in which people will not be recommended to ingest higher levels of ginger. People who are taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners) should discuss consuming ginger with a doctor beforehand. Additionally, people with gallbladder disease should also discuss consuming ginger with a doctor before consumption, as ginger has been found to increase the flow of bile from the gallbladder.  

Ways to prepare ginger and honey tea

Ginger and honey tea is simple to prepare, and takes a small amount of time to make. The ingredients are easy to find and relatively cost effective. There are various brands which sell premade ginger and honey tea within a tea bag, which can be simply prepared through brewing the tea bag in hot water, following the amount of time the instructions recommended on the packaging. 

However, some people prefer to make their ginger and honey tea themselves, and although this process is a little more time consuming, it is still quite simple. Most ginger honey tea only requires two main ingredients: fresh ginger root and honey. Some people choose to add a small amount of lemon juice to the recipe, however this is optional and largely to compliment the flavour, but there are some benefits to adding the juice as it is a source of vitamin C. 

One way to prepare ginger honey tea is to grate the ginger before adding it to a container with some honey. Hot water is added to the grated ginger and honey mixture, which dissolves the ingredients and creates the tea. Alternatively, the fresh ginger is peeled and any of the knots are removed. The remainder of the ginger root is then thinly sliced and added to a pot of water, along with some honey. Lemon juice or thin lemon slices can also be added to the pot of water. The mixture is then simmered for a few minutes and strained into a cup or mug.¹²

Summary

Ginger and honey tea is an easy and enjoyable way to consume ginger and honey, and drinking the tea provides many benefits as a home remedy for a range of health issues such ascoughs and sore throats, an aid to weight loss, and a protector of heart health. Additionally, it is a good way to add more nutrients into diets and not much is needed to see some of the benefits. It may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those who experience adverse side effects from ginger, but the benefits of ginger and honey tea can be experienced by most people.