The Fire

During my surf trips to Indonesia, when I had a fever, the ladies at the losmens would prepare ginger shots for me. They would grate a large piece of fresh ginger and press it in a cloth over a glass. The burning juice would fall drop by drop. I thought my throat was on fire the first time. But the fever would drop within an hour. Today, I make myself regular shots in the morning, but with an extractor it’s much more convenient. Pure ginger in a shot is a blast of heat that radiates through your whole body in seconds. Circulation speeds up, sinuses clear, your stomach wakes up. It’s the winter shot, the one that protects you from colds and warms you from the inside.

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The bioactive molecules

Fresh ginger contains 1 to 3% gingérols, phenolic compounds as effective as ibuprofen at inhibiting COX-2 and 5-lipoxygenase¹. 6-shogaol, formed by dehydration of 6-gingerol, is even more powerful and has documented anticancer properties². Ginger activates thermogenesis by stimulating TRPV1 receptors, the same ones activated by the capsaicin in chili peppers³. It is also a powerful antiemetic that acts on 5-HT3 receptors⁴.

Fresh ginger contains 1 to 3% gingérols, the phenolic compounds responsible for its pungency and therapeutic properties. Gingerols are powerful inhibitors of COX-2 and 5-lipoxygenase, making them a natural anti-inflammatory as effective as ibuprofen for certain types of pain (Grzanna et al., Journal of Medicinal Food, 2005). Ginger stimulates gastric emptying (prokinetic), combats nausea (antiemetic validated by the WHO for pregnancy-related nausea) and activates thermogenesis : it increases caloric expenditure by 5 to 8% after ingestion.

Key micronutrients table

Preparation with an extractor

Ingredients:

• 1 piece of fresh ginger 5-6 cm long (approximately 50 g)
• 1 squeeze of lemon (optional)

Pure ginger BURNS : that’s normal. Start with 10-15 ml and increase gradually. A squeeze of lemon softens it slightly. This shot is ideal in winter, in the morning on an empty stomach, to boost immunity and warm your body. Avoid in the evening : the stimulating effect can interfere with falling asleep.

My recommended extractor

For this recipe, I use the Hurom H400. Cold pressing preserves all the enzymes, vitamins and phytonutrients that the heat from a centrifuge would destroy.

Promo code : FRANCOIS10 for -10% on the entire Hurom site.

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To go further

Related articles

• Immunity and inflammation
• Vitamin C and immunity

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• Questionnaire : Vitamin C deficiency

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