The benefits of ginger juice
An aromatic and medicinal root
The ginger is one of the pillars of cooking and traditional Chinese medicine: it is used in many dishes for its pungent flavor, and it is also consumed to strengthen the body as a whole. It is one of the foods richest in antioxidants, capable of slowing cellular aging.
Ginger is not only used in traditional medicine but is also recognized by health authorities such as the WHO : it considers that the efficacy of ginger is proven in “the prevention of nausea and vomiting“, and in cases of digestive problems.
Ginger, whose rhizome (root) is consumed, is popular in Asia but is also widely consumed in Africa, especially as juice.
Fresh ginger juice, the best way to consume ginger
Ginger can be consumed in many forms : you can find the fresh rhizome at market stalls or in Asian grocery stores. It can be eaten as is, grated and incorporated into cooked dishes, dressings, or spiced desserts.
You can also find dried ginger, in powder form, but in that case it will have lost some of its vitamins and its flavor. Ginger can also be taken as a dietary supplement, in capsules. But why deprive yourself of its distinctive taste ?
One of the best ways to consume ginger is to make fresh juice : it is pressed using a juicer and consumed pure or mixed, to reap all its benefits.
Nutritional value of ginger juice
Ginger is one of the foods highest in manganese, which plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, and it is also high in potassium, which notably affects blood pressure. The ginger rhizome is rich in B-group vitamins, notably vitamin B3. It is also a good source of vitamin C : these vitamins largely disappear when ginger is dried, which is why it is preferable to consume fresh ginger.
Ginger is low in calories : it contains 32.9 kcal per 100g. Ginger juice is therefore a healthy drink, provided you add little sugar. The only drawback : the fibers naturally contained in the ginger rhizome will only be residual in your juice !
How to consume ginger juice?
To be consumed as a natural remedy or… for pleasure
The ginger juice can be consumed as a natural remedy to treat many minor ailments. It can be an effective treatment for colds, sniffles, and mild flu. It is also a remedy for nausea and vomiting, whether for motion sickness, postoperative nausea, or pregnancy-related disorders. In such cases it is consumed in small quantities to avoid it ‘not sitting well’, and should be taken regularly throughout the day.
Ginger juice is also an excellent natural energy drink, to be consumed before intense physical or mental effort or to boost libido! Indeed, even if no scientific study has been able to prove it, ginger is traditionally considered an aphrodisiac for both men and women.
It can also be drunk for pleasure, like a classic juice, at breakfast for an energy shot or as an afternoon snack. Children can also consume it, even if its spicy taste may displease them. Furthermore, it is avoided in the evening to prevent sleep disturbances… Unless you don’t want to sleep!
Ginger juice recipe
First of all, it’s about choosing the right ginger: preferably opt for organic ginger, which can be found in specialty stores to avoid any pesticide residue. Choose it firm, pale brown in color, and you can break off a piece to check that the rhizome is juicy and fragrant.
There are several ginger juice recipes. You can opt for the African version, known in the Ivory Coast as “gnamakoudji”. You will need 250 g of fresh ginger, 1 liter of water, 250 g of sugar, vanilla sugar, a few fresh mint leaves and the juice of one yellow lemon or three limes.
Ginger juice is refreshing, zesty and very invigorating: a 100% natural energizing drink!
If you have a juicer, you can put the ginger rhizomes cut into pieces through the juicer before mixing everything. You can also blend them, then let this paste rest with water and lemon for half an hour. Strain everything and add the sugar, vanilla sugar and mint leaves. If it’s too strong, you can dilute it with water or pineapple juice. Ginger juice or gnamakoudji should be served very cold!
You can also buy ginger juice commercially, whether as a juice or a dietary supplement. In that case, the vitamin content will be lower and manufacturers may add sugar or fruit juice in large quantities to reduce the product’s cost. However, you can opt for organic ginger-based juice with no added sugars if you lack the time to make it yourself.
