Both ginger and turmeric are members of the same family of flowering plants. They have amazing therapeutic benefits and are frequently utilized in cuisines worldwide for their earthy, robust flavor.
Research supports using turmeric and ginger for weight loss. This is true in traditional approaches to medicine and the alternative medicine system, Ayurveda. The health advantages of turmeric and ginger tea are many, ranging from the relief of chronic pain and inflammation to the treatment of coughs and colds.
These infusions are also recognized for their potential to burn fat. Many people trying to lose weight drink ginger or turmeric tea to increase their metabolism and expedite the weight-loss process. But is there a difference between the two, and which should you choose for the most effective weight loss results?
Why You Should Use Turmeric and Ginger For Weight Loss
There are many methods to try in your weight loss journey. Here are some reasons to consider turmeric and ginger.
The Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice in the ginger family. It is bright yellow and has a musky or peppery taste.
Its primary bioactive compound, curcumin, is responsible for all the medicinal benefits of this spice—and there are many!
From research, we know that the curcumin in turmeric:
- Reduces Inflammation: Curcumin inhibits key inflammatory pathways, like NF-kB, that contribute to inflammation.¹
- Contains Antioxidants: Curcumin neutralizes free radicals and boosts the body’s own antioxidant enzyme defenses. This protects against oxidative stress, which can damage cells and lead to chronic diseases.²
- Acts as a Cancer-Preventative: Curcumin has anti-carcinogenic effects by influencing molecular signaling pathways involved in cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasis.³
- Enhances Brain Health:Turmeric enhances brain health, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin helps clear amyloid plaques, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.⁴
Potential Side Effects of Turmeric
Despite the tremendous health benefits, ingesting turmeric has potential side effects.
Allergic reaction: If turmeric is not a part of your regular diet, watch your reaction the first few times you drink turmeric tea. If you feel any itchiness in your mouth or skin, break out in a rash, or have difficulty breathing, stop ingesting immediately and seek medical attention.
If you are prone to allergies, start with a tiny amount of turmeric. Watch your body’s reaction and adjust as necessary.
Stomach Upset: If you struggle with digestive disorders like acid reflux or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), be careful with turmeric.
Curcumin stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric acid, which may exacerbate your symptoms if you already struggle with digestive sensitivities.
How Turmeric Tea Helps with Weight Loss
A study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences found that curcumin supplementation helped improve metabolic profiles in people with metabolic syndrome.
Results were – after 30 days of curcumin ingestion – weight loss in participants increased from 1.88 to 4.91%.
It also lowered BMI (from 2.10 to 6.43%) and improved hip circumference reduction (from 0.74 to 2.51%).
Chronic inflammation is also associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, which contribute to insulin resistance and fat accumulation.
Turmeric tea is one of the best teas for weight loss because it helps improve metabolism. It also lowers inflammation in the body and promotes fat-burning properties. Together, these keep your overall metabolic profile balanced and healthy.
The Benefits of Ginger
The ginger root contains many nutrients, including the fatty acids palmitic, oleic, capric, and linoleic. The primary ingredients that give ginger its medicinal properties are zingiberene and phenols.
Ginger tea has many benefits and has been used as an ancient medicine to treat ailments from morning sickness to arthritis. Our ancestors no doubt took great advantage of its broad medicinal uses in the struggle to survive.
A single tablespoon of grated ginger brewed in hot water is enough to relieve pain and nausea. Ginger is a powerful antioxidant, and its natural warming effect stimulates blood flow, improving circulation and digestion.
Potential Side Effects of Ginger
Usually, ginger is well-tolerated. However, its stimulating properties, which are so helpful to some, may not be so pleasant for others.
Ginger – particularly taken in large amounts – can cause heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea because of the increased stomach acid it produces.
If you are sensitive to strong or acidic foods, take ginger with caution. To test your tolerance, start with a small amount infused in a tea with honey and lemon.
How Ginger Tea Helps with Weight Loss
Ginger acts the same as turmeric when it comes to weight loss. Namely, it boosts metabolism and lowers inflammation, both of which lead to reduced weight.
Gingerols and shogaols, compounds found in ginger, are responsible for these processes. Fresh ginger has the greatest number of these compounds, with dried ginger having slightly less. So, tea made with fresh ginger will give you the most significant health benefits.
A study on ginger’s ability to satiate hunger and suppress appetite also showed that meals taken with ginger reduced hunger and increased satisfaction compared to meals without.
This is evidenced in the graph below. The black bars represent results from those who consumed ginger with their meal, and the white bars represent those without.
Turmeric and Ginger for Weight Loss: The Verdict
Turmeric and ginger for weight loss are both good choices. Both spices include unique compounds with metabolism-enhancing and fat-burning effects. So, if you're attempting to reduce weight, you can choose to incorporate either tea into your diet, or both for the most optimal results.
Our delicious and caffeine-free Moringa Moon Herbal Tea includes both spices, optimizing the health benefits you’ll receive. This blend of tea leaf powder also contains an astonishing 28 mg of iron per 100 g.
Another tea blend to consider is our Lucid Dreams Tea. It is a soothing, caffeine-free, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic turmeric-tulsi-tea with a delicious coconut flavor.
Another popular way to consume turmeric is in a drink called “golden milk.”
A simple recipe for golden milk is:
Combine 1 to 2 teaspoons of turmeric with 1 cup of warm milk, a pinch of black pepper, cinnamon, and honey or maple syrup over low heat for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to boil, but keep at a simmer for 5-10 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!
If you find that drinking turmeric and ginger in tea for weight loss does not appeal to your taste buds, you can try these amazing spices in other foods to reap the benefits.
Try incorporating turmeric and ginger into sauces and glazes such as with:
- Soups, stews, and broths
- Roasted vegetables
- Rice-centric dishes
- Baked Chicken
- Sweetbreads
- Muffins
- Stir fry
Of course, you can incorporate turmeric and ginger into your cooking if you also enjoy their taste in tea.
Be mindful of consuming too much, however, as we discussed the potential side effects of consuming both spices in excess.
However you decide to approach healthy lifestyle changes, utilizing turmeric and ginger for weight loss and other benefits is a solid plan. Both will support your body in many ways as you improve your health.
If you’d like to explore other delicious, healthy herbal tea blends, visit the Magic Hour Tea Shop.
