Can Ginger Boost Your Energy? Benefits and Risks

Maybe it’s just me but everyone and their mother are taking ginger shots. Some for detoxing (whatever that means), others for boosting their immune system. And I get it—ginger has a lot of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, which makes it a perfect antidote to all the incoming viruses in the fall and winter seasons. But what people *really* like about it, other than making them slightly impenetrable to the seasonal bug, is its influence on energy and mood. 

Now, I’m a caffeine girl. I’ve been drinking coffee since I was 13 years old (yes, I know I have problems), and I routinely drink a minimum of 12 ounces a day. On the rare occasion when caffeine doesn’t enter my bloodstream, I feel sluggish, exhausted, and downright irritable. Safe to say, my body relies on caffeine for any sort of energy and a positive mood. So when TikTok claimed that ginger shots are energy and mood boosters—perhaps even better than caffeinated drinks—I naturally had to try it out. 

To do this experiment correctly, I tagged experts to get their thoughts on the relationship between natural antioxidants (like ginger!) and mood and energy levels. Ahead, find out how my body reacted to swapping my daily caffeine intake for a ginger shot. 

The Many Benefits of Ginger

Before I get into the nitty-gritty details of my experiment, let’s outline the many benefits of ginger, shall we? 

Depression, Anxiety, and Mood

We know ginger can boost your immune system but did you know it can also impact your mood? Ginger is a feel-good food that can positively help your mood. It has a bunch of antioxidants like gingerols, shogaol, and paradols that protect your body against free radicals and chronic inflammation. Since depression is connected to inflammation, consuming foods rich in antioxidants (like ginger or turmeric) helps treat depression, says Alicia Bigelow, ND, a naturopathic physician, holistic therapist, and Verywell Mind review board member.

Dr. Bigelow adds that ginger and other anti-inflammatory foods help with mood, noting that eating healthy fats like omega-3s and vitamins including B6, B12, and folate, has a positive impact on your mood. As for anxiety, research shows that ginger is linked to anxiety treatment. Early animal studies reported a decrease in anxiety levels after consuming extracts of ginger. While it’s too early to tell how much ginger helps with anxiety, evidence shows there is a relationship between the two.

Energy Levels

To have energy means you need to “get restful sleep and maintain good nutrition and balanced blood sugar levels,” says Dr. Bigelow. “Simple carbohydrates, like sugary beverages or pastries, will lead to a glucose (blood sugar) spike and then a crash, which will lead us to feeling tired.”

This is where ginger comes in. It manages your blood sugar levels, which boosts energy and reduces fatigue. “It also is warming and dilates blood vessels, which can also help to make us feel brighter and more awake and alive,” Dr. Bigelow adds.

Drinking Daily Ginger Shots

So, how did drinking daily ginger shots impact my mood and energy? Here’s how I felt after drinking a ginger shot each day:

Day 1

It was Saturday, so I already felt pretty well-rested and upbeat after sleeping in. I felt a little sluggish after breakfast (which is normal for me), so I took my first ginger shot around 11 a.m. I didn’t notice any initial effects, but as the day went by, I felt more refreshed and alert. Usually, even with coffee, I need to take a mini nap in the mid-afternoon. And while I still felt a bit sluggish and fatigued in the evening, it wasn’t as bad as normal.

Day 2

Like the first day, I woke up well-rested because I slept in. This time, I upped my dosage and took one and a half shots instead of a single. I wanted to see if more ginger helped alleviate that mid-afternoon slump. And turns out I was right. I didn’t take a single nap—not even a quick one. My body
was pretty alert the entire day and I didn’t feel too wired to have a good night sleep.

Day 3

This is where things got complicated. Mondays are the worst days for me. No matter how many hours of rest I get, I always feel tired, irritable, and anxious for the week ahead. Coffee usually helps my body perk up, but since I was on a no-caffeine diet, I needed something relaxing. I knew ginger would give me energy, but I didn’t expect to feel calm and less stressed. Nor did I expect a wave of productivity and concentration. The effects weren’t immediate, of course, but I felt like I had a mini caffeine kick. My attention span didn’t waver, and I was able to hunker down and complete my many tasks.

Day 4 and Day 5

Tuesday and Wednesday were the same—I was energized, alert, and ready to work after drinking my one-and-a-half ginger shots. Three to four days without coffee usually give me caffeine withdrawal, but I didn’t feel any brain fog or restlessness. Though ginger doesn’t have caffeine according to Dr. Bigelow, it does boost energy similarly to a coffee or energy drink.

After five days of forgoing coffee for ginger, I definitely see the appeal of a daily ginger shot. Ginger shots have all the benefits of caffeine (increased energy, positive mood, etc.) without the side effects like restlessness and insomnia.

Should You Drink Ginger Shots for Energy?

I’m not a licensed practitioner, so I can’t say whether you should take ginger shots. That said, if you do have low energy levels or a less-than-positive mood, drinking ginger can help. But it’s not the only organic ingredient that can help increase your energy. There are also other natural and organic ways to feel more alert and rejuvenated.

“If any of them are lacking, we start feeling it in many ways, including decreased energy,” she says. “Further, in terms of our diet, we also need to be eating regularly throughout the day, so if you are skipping meals, you may feel a decrease in energy.”

Dr. Bigelow echoes this statement, saying that a rainbow diet is particularly important when it comes to energy and overall mood. “Eating foods with a variety of colors will help to ensure that you are getting many of the nutrients needed to have good mental health,” she adds. ”A lot of the compounds that give fruits and vegetables their color are also good for mental health. Think about the bright yellow of turmeric—it’s anti-inflammatory.”

Should You Drink Ginger Shots to Boost Your Mood?

While ginger shots do help with your mood, it’s important to consider why your mood is off in the first place. Is your diet balanced? Are you getting enough water and sleep? How often are you exercising? If you’re taking care of your health but still finding your mood to be down, Dr. Goldman suggests considering what potential events or circumstances in your life may be impacting your mood.

“Most of the time, something is going on in their life that is impacting their mood and energy, such as a recent stressor,” she says. “Our mind and body are always giving us messages. If something feels off, take some time to think about what the potential cause could be. It could be that you are constantly on the go and need to slow down. We often ignore messages our bodies give us, which is why regular check-ins are important.”

A great way to check in with yourself is by examining all your feelings and journaling them or practicing a body scan meditation to help you release pent-up tension. A check-in can also look like self-care activities such as exercising or getting out in nature.

Get Around and Move

In addition to checking in with yourself, get up and dance. Movement is a great way to feel better. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but it works! Dr. Goldman says that movement, including yoga and ecstatic dance, have mood and energy benefits.

“Walking, jogging, strength training, and yoga have all been shown to be effective for treating depression,” adds Dr. Bigelow.

And if you don’t like exercising (which is fair!), there are other ways to boost your mood, says Dr. Goldman. She recommends the following activities:

• Participating in joyful movement
• Getting outside and being in nature
• Getting some sun
• Listening to your favorite artists
• Dancing alone or with friends
• Chatting with a loved one
• Smile (even if you have to force it)
• Practicing gratitude
• Saying something kind to yourself

Takeways

Will I swap my daily cup of joe for an energy shot? Um…sorry, but no. I love (the taste of) coffee too much to ever give it up. That said, I do think ginger shots are a suitable replacement for caffeine. They increase your energy just like coffee and unlike our favorite latte or cappuccino, a ginger shot doesn’t give you that dreaded crash at the end of the day.

Even if you’re not a caffeine drinker like moi, you can still drink ginger shots for their mood-boosting effects and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. Check with your healthcare provider to see if adding ginger to your daily routine is right for you.