A respected doctor and dietician has urged people to have a simple 14p drink the next time they are feeling queasy. Dr Megan Rossi, known as the Gut Health Doctor, gave her tips on drinks that can improve our health.
In particular, she was focussing on tea. Dr Rossi, who is from Australia but now lives in the UK, said the popular drink was more than just a daily ritual.
Brits consume around 100million cups of tea every day – more than one per day per person. Herbal variations are becoming increasingly popular, a number of which boast potent health benefits.
Dr Rossi said ginger tea could help you if you were feeling ‘queasy’, as it can help get rid of nausea. And with a thumb-sized piece of ginger available for as little as 14p, it is a quick, easy, and cheap drink to make at home.
Dr Rossi said: “When I first moved to the UK, I quickly realised that tea isn’t just a drink—it’s considered a daily ritual around here! Beyond the comfort factor, tea actually does pack quite the polyphenol punch (think plant chemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers).”
“But it’s not all about the classic breakfast brew,” she continued. “If you’re struggling with nausea, I recommend some ginger tea, although probably best to grate your own in some hot water at home for that optimal ginger dose.
“Ginger has been shown to help with nausea, although to feel the benefit, your best bet will be to steep a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger in hot water for a stronger brew.
“For those struggling with an IBS flare-up, you might find that some peppermint tea can help relax those tense gut muscles. Good old chamomile tea – you might find if you struggle to sleep, this one could help be that relaxant you very well need.”
Why is ginger tea healthy?
Ginger contains gingerol, a natural component of ginger root. It helps gastrointestinal motility ― the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process – meaning that is helps your digestion. It is thought this can also help alleviate feelings of nausea.
The effects are so strong that cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are reportedly offered ginger to help them feel better. Pregnant women suffering from morning sickness also take it.
Some research has also suggested that it could help you fight “bad” or LDL cholesterol levels. In a recent study, taking 5g of ginger a day for three months lowered people’s LDL cholesterol an average of 30 points, while another suggested that ginger may help your body use insulin better.
“Ginger contains bioactive compounds like gingerol, which has potent antioxidant properties and only a small amount – just one teaspoon or the size of a garlic clove, will provide you many health benefits,” says dietitian Anna Daniels.
Is normal tea healthy?
Yes, it is. According to one study, adults who drink up to two cups of tea a day for more than seven years have a 19 per cent lower risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke than those who drink less, or no tea at all.
Every extra cup of tea a day lowered their risk by 4 per cent, suggests the research published in March in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition. Overall, the researchers looked at 20 published studies from around the world.
Out of the six drinks, only tea was linked to a lower risk of death from heart disease in both men and women. Men who drank coffee every day for many years were also found to have a 37 per cent lower risk of dying compared to those who drank it infrequently. But women who drank coffee long-term did not have a lower risk of death compared to those who did not.
English breakfast tea contains antioxidants that prevent damage in your cells that can lead to diseases. Therefore, drinking English breakfast tea can lower your risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.