How to Use Ginger to Combat Abdominal Fat

Ginger contains an active compound, known as gingerol. Its consumption is thought to help you shed excess weight. However, you must be careful when it comes to including ginger in your diet.
How to Use Ginger to Combat Abdominal Fat
Carlos Fabián Avila

Reviewed and approved by Doctor Carlos Fabián Avila.

Last update: 25 August, 2022

These ginger recipes to combat abdominal fat are a healthy supplement that can be incorporated into your diet in moderation, so long as your doctor is in agreement. That’s because, despite its many health benefits, ginger also has some contraindications.

Once authorized by a doctor, there are several ways you can incorporate ginger into your diet, including smoothies, infusions, stews, and even desserts. However, if your goal is to shed a few extra pounds, it’s usually best to use ginger in a drink.

What are the benefits of ginger?

Whole and powdered ginger.

Ginger is a root with scientifically proven anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. It’s for this reason that many people decide to make it a regular part of their diet.

Traditionally, it’s been said that ginger has certain slimming properties. In fact, some say the consumption of ginger can stimulate metabolic function, improving the digestive processes for proper fat elimination.

This was suggested in a study published in The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, which mainly focused on how ginger works in metabolic syndrome. According to the researchers, gingerol is the compound responsible for the effect of ginger on metabolism.

This active principle is responsible for the spicy flavor of ginger. It also gives it its antioxidant and, to a certain extent, analgesic effects. In addition, it can also act as a diuretic in certain quantities, thus helping to reduce abdominal inflammation and eliminate any retained fluids. This could be why it’s often thought to have a ‘slimming effect’.

One of its main advantages is that it doesn’t contain too many calories and can be combined with other ingredients that enhance its properties.

We recommend you read: 5 Natural Smoothies for Digestion

Can you combat abdominal fat with ginger?

The real key to losing weight in a healthy way is to improve your eating habits, exercise daily, and be consistent in all of your habits. Of course, it’s also essential to consult with your doctor and follow their advice carefully.

There’s no fat-burning food or drink that can provide immediate, magical, or miraculous solutions.

However, there are some drinks you can make at home using natural ingredients that help you to stay well hydrated throughout the day and stop you from snacking on unhealthy food between mealtimes.

It’s important to remember that these aren’t slimming’ drinks in themselves, but supplements to a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Ginger tea with lemon

Sliced gingr root.
Ingredients
  • Honey (optional).
  • The juice of half a lemon.
  • 1 cup of water (250 ml).
  • 1 piece of ginger root.

Method

  • Heat the cup of water and, just before it begins to boil, add the ginger root.
  • Let it simmer on low heat for a few minutes, then remove from the heat and add the lemon juice.
  • Stir well and add a little honey to sweeten, if desired.
  • Drink one cup before main meals.

You might also like to read: Look After Your Digestion with These Healing Plants

Grapefruit and ginger juice

Ingredients

  • 4 large grapefruits.
  • 1 teaspoon of ground ginger (3 g).
  • The juice of 1/4 a lemon (optional).

Method

  • Squeeze the juice out of the grapefruits and mix with the ginger and lemon juice.
  • Avoid adding sugar to your drink. If you do, only use it in moderation.

Green tea with ginger

Two cups of green tea.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup of water (250 ml).
  • 1 tablespoon of green tea (10 g).
  • A slice of fresh ginger.

Method

  • Bring the water to a boil, add the ginger, and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and add the green tea.
  • Let it stand for 10 minutes and then drink.

You also might be interested in: 6 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Diets Keep Failing

Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint

Weighing a few extra pounds is an aesthetic issue for many people. As such, it’s normal for them to consider looking at different ways to lose weight so they can improve their health and show off their figure.

However, in their eagerness to lose those pounds, many people fall into the trap of fad diets or recipes that promise ‘miraculous’ results in as short a space of time as possible. Needless to say, many of these can be harmful to your health.

It’s important not to let yourself get swept away by the idea of a quick-fix solution, and to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Over time, a healthy lifestyle will be far more beneficial to your health and your waistline than any fad diet.

Finally, we have one last piece of advice. Never use food or drinks as a substitute for main meals or for the treatments prescribed by your doctor. This is dangerous and could lead to various complications. These ginger recipes to combat abdominal fat are a good complement to a healthy diet, but they’re not, in themselves, an instant weight-loss solution.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei, Hamid Nasri. (2014). The Ameliorative Effect of Zingiber officinale in Diabetic Nephropathy. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, I, 2.
  • Arshad H Rahmani, Fahad M Al shabrmi, Salah M Aly. (2014). Active ingredients of ginger as potential candidates in the prevention and treatment of diseases via modulation of biological activities. Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol, Vol 6, 12.
  • Saravanan, G., Ponmurugan, P., Deepa, M. A., & Senthilkumar, B. (2014). Anti-obesity action of gingerol: Effect on lipid profile, insulin, leptin, amylase and lipase in male obese rats induced by a high-fat diet. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6642

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.