Ginger Nectar Recipe

As a lover of ginger since childhood, which I get from my mother's love of it too, I think one of the first benefits I ever noticed from my consumption of ginger was when I was pregnant with my daughter. I didn't have a single day of morning sickness because I was an avid consumer of anything ginger, and that is one of the main health benefits of consuming ginger, to help with nausea and I'll always recommend a cup of ginger tea or a spicy ginger biscuit to anyone who feels a bit under the weather.

At HappyBerry we're always looking for a more simple and natural life-style so whether you love or hate that zesty and spicy taste of ginger, it's definitely one to add to the pantry because ginger has been used for thousands of years not just as a spice, but for medicinal purposes as well, and as a root native to Asia, modern science is just now starting to back-up what the ancient Chinese have known for thousands of years.

Health benefits

Packed full of vitamins and minerals, which help boost our immune system and maintain our tissue and brain health, ginger not only soothes an upset tummy, but also contains phytonutrients known as gingerols, which have an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and pain-relieving effect in the body, helping aid digestion, treat arthritis, colds, menstrual cramps, migraines, diarrhea and high blood pressure. It's also believed to help people experiencing hypothyroidism and those who wish to lose weight. 

Some believe ginger also helps prevent heart disease, diabetes and possibly cancer because it's so high in antioxidants, and science is beginning to support this with tests showing that ginger has anti-proliferative effects on tumour cells, which means preventing the spread of cells, especially malignant cells, into surrounding tissues. Consuming ginger regularly may offer a preventative effect in particular with pancreatic and colon cancer.

Few side-effects

Other than a spicy burn after consumption, ginger has very few side-effects, which is why it's so great for morning sickness, but it's important to note than some people may experience bloating or heartburn because of this, and because ginger can lower blood pressure it must be consumed in moderation by those who have low blood pressure or are on medication for blood pressure. I always recommend speaking to a doctor before changing anything with your diet.

Best way to consume ginger

Many products may say they contain ginger, but in fact they just contain the flavour of ginger so I always recommend fresh ginger to get best results. Watch out for sugar too, such as in candied ginger or ginger biscuits, which is hard I know because they do taste so yummy! But here is my go-to fresh ginger recipe every-time, ginger nectar, which is like those ridiculously expensive ginger shots you can buy, but without that awful added sugar content and price tag.

Easy to prepare, this nectar will store for up to 4 days in the fridge. Try to opt for a no-added sugar apple juice and enjoy first thing in the morning or after a heavy meal. Add a dash of turmeric for an extra health boost!

Ginger Nectar - Serves 6

120g fresh ginger
1 lemon
800ml apple juice

Cut your fresh ginger into small chunks (wash, but no need to peel the skin) and add to a blender with the juice of one lemon and 800ml of apple juice. Blend together until smooth and strain through a sieve. Squeeze the remaining pulp to remove the juice and pour into a jug.

Enjoy!