Have you had breast cancer? Be careful with ginger shots!

A ginger shot is a small, concentrated drink made from fresh ginger root, often mixed with honey, orange juice, lemon juice, sugars, preservatives, etc. A standard shot contains about 3 centiliters. The amount of ginger can vary greatly from brand to brand: from barely detectable to highly concentrated. You can buy ginger shots ready-made or make them yourself. The idea is to drink the entire bottle in one or two sips. Ginger shots are marketed as health drinks. Claims range from providing an energy boost and strengthening the immune system to aiding weight loss.

Many women who have had breast cancer struggle with unusual fatigue or weight gain as a result of treatment. They are receptive to claims about ginger shots. A woman with breast cancer who is undergoing follow-up treatment with Nolvadex® (a brand name for tamoxifen) asks the Hotline whether ginger shots are safe and do what they promise.

- Energy

A ginger shot may feel refreshing and spicy, but that’s not the same as an energy boost. There is insufficient evidence that ginger shots—even those with high concentrations of ginger—can alleviate fatigue or boost energy levels. In a study of healthy adults who consumed 1.2 grams of ginger daily for two weeks or a placebo, no improvement in energy levels was found. However, in studies involving cancer patients, the results are less clear, with some studies showing an effect and others not. This warrants further research.

- Losing weight

Ginger shots reduce feelings of hunger, which may cause you to eat less, but they have virtually no demonstrable effect on waist circumference. Dozens of scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the impact of ginger on body weight: it is not a weight-loss aid. However, ginger shots can make you feel full, which may indirectly contribute to eating less.

Ginger is indeed helpful for mild gastrointestinal symptoms and also helps relieve nausea. There is scientific evidence to support this.

- Combination with hormone therapy

If you are taking hormone therapy, such as Nolvadex®, you should be cautious about consuming ginger shots. In high concentrations, ginger may slightly inhibit the effects of these medications, as ginger extract can block the action of an enzyme necessary for their effectiveness. This is the theory, but it has never been studied in patients. What is certain is that normal culinary use of ginger poses no problem, even if you are undergoing hormone therapy. Daily consumption of shots containing high concentrations of ginger, on the other hand, poses a potential risk. Therefore, caution is advised if you are undergoing hormone therapy.

Conclusion

Ginger shots give you a spicy and refreshing sensation right after you drink them, but they don’t help reduce fatigue or boost energy. They also won’t make you lose weight, but they can help you eat less. Some ginger shots contain high concentrations of ginger, and in theory, these could reduce the effectiveness of hormone therapy following breast cancer.