Fact check: Can Drinking Lemon Ginger Tea Fight Indigestion?
A Pinterest post claims lemon ginger tea can fight indigestion. The claim is Half True.
Claim
The Pinterest post highlights the health benefits of drinking lemon ginger tea. The user Cathy Foster claims, to drink lemon ginger tea every day to make hair long and strong, relieve inflammation and pain, treat ovarian cysts naturally, bid diabetes goodbye, fight indigestion, and improve skin health.
Amongst the other claims, the user also claims that lemon ginger tea can fight Indigestion.
The post can be accessed here.
Fact Check
The claim is Half true. Ginger is widely recognized for its ability to alleviate nausea, bloating, and indigestion. Lemon can stimulate digestive enzymes, further aiding digestion. Together, they may provide relief from minor gastrointestinal discomfort. Having said this, lemon ginger tea won't resolve severe or chronic digestive conditions (e.g., GERD, ulcers).
Can Drinking Lemon Ginger Tea Fight Indigestion?
Studies have mentioned that lemon, ginger, and tea offer various nutritional benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They also support gut health, enhance gastric emptying, and boost gut immunity. The benefits of lemon ginger tea are primarily complementary and situational, as noted by both experts and professional medical advice should be sought for persistent or severe digestive issues.
There are currently no studies investigating lemon and ginger tea together to fight indigestion. Nevertheless, there are studies that have identified the individual roles of lemon, ginger and tea in gastrointestinal issues.
One study published in the journal Food Science and Nutrition, where ginger combined with glucosamine significantly lowered gastrointestinal pain in osteoarthritis patients without triggering dyspepsia or indigestion. It also increased protective substances in the stomach, which was associated with a rise in a related stomach hormone. Ginger provided pain relief comparable to Diclofenac but was gentler on the stomach. This study specifically emphasizes ginger's role in avoiding indigestion or dyspepsia, highlighting its gentle effect on the digestive system.
Another study published in the journal Cureus suggested that ginger may aid in promoting gastric emptying and enhancing gastrointestinal motility. In a clinical trial with 12 healthy volunteers, ginger was found to significantly speed up gastric emptying compared to a placebo. Again this study does not mention any role of ginger in fighting indigestion but only about gastric emptying.
Research has explored the impact of lemons on gut health, with one study published in Dietetics highlighting that lemons contain compounds like pectin and flavonoids that support gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria and reducing harmful ones. Pectin, a fibre in lemons, is fermented by gut bacteria, promoting an anti-inflammatory response in the colon.
The study featuring tea that has been published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology has emphasized that black tea supports gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that produce butyrate, a compound essential for a strong gut immune system. This study mentions the role of black tea on gut health.
While these studies have highlighted the roles of lemon, ginger, and tea individually in improving gut health, and immunity, gastric emptying, there is no medical consensus or recommendation in the literature or medical community suggesting the use of lemon ginger tea for indigestion.
Dr Rohan Badave, Consultant Medical Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Goa explained, "Lemon ginger tea can be a soothing remedy when you're dealing with mild digestive discomfort. However, it's crucial to treat them as part of a holistic approach rather than a primary solution. Persistent digestive issues should prompt individuals to seek medical advice for tailored treatments that address the underlying causes effectively."
To this, Dr Jyotirmay Jena, Consultant, G.I. & H.P.B Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneshwar added, "Lemon ginger tea is commonly believed to help with digestion due to the properties of its ingredients. However, while it may offer a comforting and warming experience, it should not be relied upon as a treatment for digestive issues without professional guidance. It’s best to approach such remedies as part of general wellness rather than a definitive solution for indigestion."
Medical Dialogues Final Take
While lemon and ginger have properties that can potentially alleviate mild digestive symptoms like bloating and sluggish motility, their efficacy is limited to mild, non-serious cases of indigestion. They are not substitutes for medical interventions or targeted treatments for more severe gastrointestinal conditions like GERD or ulcers.
Hence the claim lemon ginger tea fights indigestion is Half true.
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