Benefits Of Ginger Juice

Years ago I stopped drinking Coke and Dr. Pepper to protect my teeth. The magazines were I worked gave them to us for free, and I drank 2 cans each day. The acid ate away my tooth enamel, and the chemicals in the soda are not good for us either.

Now I drink mostly ice water, but every so often I crave a kick of flavor. I am giving ginger juice a whirl. Sometimes I use ginger root in recipes calling for it, and I like the subtle heat of dried ginger candy. In Manhattan buying a 32-ounce bottle of already squeezed ginger juice for about $15 costs nearly the same as buying pounds of ginger root and extracting the juice from the pulp. So that's what I'll do. I started with a 5-ounce bottle to try it out.

Moreover ginger juice is thought to have several health benefits (requiring more scientific studies to support the claims, but still worth noting). The following is what limited studies say:

1) Ginger juice improves digestion, purifies the mouth and freshens breath by stimulating the production of saliva. It might also ease nausea and indigestion caused by pregnancy, surgery and chemotherapy.

2) Ginger juice has antibacterial properties to ease colds, congestion and bronchitis.

3) It has anti-inflammatory properties (including natural compounds gingerols and shogaols) that help to relieve pain from conditions such as arthritis; backaches; and headaches.

4) Certain chemical compounds in ginger may control high blood pressure and bad cholesterol. It could reduce your chances of developing heart disease; certain cancers; and Alzheimer's. Ginger juice may sharpen your mental faculties according to a few sources. 

5) Ginger's antioxidant properties might slow down aging and promote a healthy head of hair. (Oh, good, I'm all in!)

6) Ginger has been suggested as a possible weight loss aide, yet the verdict is still out. Read more about the risks and benefits here.

What is certain: Ginger adds a kick of flavor to drinking water with no known side effects when used in moderation. (Excess is always bad with anything and most everything including eating carrots.) I pour a little of the juice (to taste) into a 32-ounce container of ice water and add a tad of Stevia as a sweetener and sip it throughout the day. Surely it's better than the soda I consumed for years. It's refreshing. I like it!

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