Doctor: Is it good to drink lots of 'ginger shots'?

In recent years, the trend of drinking 'ginger shots' - a type of ginger juice mixed with lemon juice, or with other juices, has been popular and widely promoted on social networks. So is this drink good for health?

Dr. Pham Anh Ngan, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Campus 3, said that the concept of "shot" is the name of a small glass, usually 20-70 ml, used to serve strong alcohol in one drink. A "shot" of a drink has a capacity ranging from 20 ml to more than 60 ml, depending on the country and the type of shot (single or double). In some places, a shot can be considered an international unit of measurement of about 30 ml or 1.5 oz (44 ml) as in the US.

"Ginger shot" usually uses fresh ginger to squeeze out the juice, then mix it with lemon juice, or orange juice, turmeric, beetroot, honey... The trend of drinking "Ginger shot" is popular among young urban people, those who exercise , and are often instructed to drink it in the morning on an empty stomach.

Ginger has a spicy taste and warm properties.

Ginger is both a dish and a familiar medicine in Vietnamese meals. According to traditional medicine, fresh ginger is also called sinh khuong, has a spicy taste and warm properties. The uses of sinh khuong help relieve colds, stop vomiting, reduce coughs, and detoxify (crabs, shrimp, fish, etc.).

Dried ginger is called can khương, spicy and very hot. Its main uses are to warm the middle and restore yang (cure the loss of yang energy), relieve abdominal pain due to cold, stop diarrhea, and reduce cough due to cold. The use of ginger in cooking, as well as in herbal medicine, is very popular and familiar. However, adding too much ginger to a dish will increase the feeling of heat in the abdomen after eating, or some people will have symptoms of burning anus when defecating afterward.

One study found that low doses (677 μg/serving) of gingerol, a ginger extract consumed in a beverage, stimulated a thermogenic effect on the skin surface of the extremities. Ginger root contains pungent polyphenols called gingerols, such as 6-shogaol, 6-gingerol, and zingerone. These components can stimulate the body to secrete adrenaline, creating a thermogenic effect.

"Ginger shot" usually uses fresh ginger to squeeze out the juice, then mix it with lemon juice, or orange juice, turmeric, beetroot, honey...

PHOTO: AI

High concentrations may cause digestive irritation and side effects with the drug.

According to Dr. Ngan, most current studies use ginger extract with very low content. In fact, when using fresh ginger juice to make a "ginger shot", the content can be much higher.

"Because the concentration of ginger in each 'ginger shot' will not be the same, this drink can irritate the digestive system in people with problems with gastroesophageal reflux, stomach ulcers, or gastrointestinal diseases," said Dr. Ngan.

In addition, it is also necessary to note the side effects of ginger for people who are using medications such as anticoagulants, antihypertensive drugs, drugs metabolized by the liver through the Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) or Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymes. Many studies have shown adverse interactions between ginger and these groups of drugs.

"Users of 'ginger shot' should monitor their body's reactions. If symptoms such as increased burning behind the sternum, bloating, loss of appetite, burning anus, or allergic rash on the skin appear after using the juice, they should consult a specialist for adjustment," the doctor recommended.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-uong-nhieu-nuoc-ginger-shot-co-tot-khong-185251003002428816.htm