The Best Time to Take a Wellness Shot for Maximum Benefits

Wellness shots are tiny drinks packed with concentrated ingredients that promise everything from better digestion to boosted immunity. The best time to take one depends on the ingredients and your specific health goals.

Is There a Best Time to Take a Wellness Shot?

“When it comes to timing, there is no strong evidence that taking them at a specific hour of the day makes a difference,” said Rasoul Montazeri, DO, a triple board-certified physician specializing in preventive, longevity, and obesity medicine.

Some people prefer a morning wellness shot—like ginger with lemon, apple cider vinegar blends, or turmeric shots—to support digestion and energy.

Others might take shots with ingredients such as wheatgrass or vitamin-rich citrus after meals to aid nutrient absorption. He said consistency matters more and that shots should be paired with whole foods.

So, while there’s no universal “best” time, certain wellness shots may fit better at specific points in your day depending on your goals.

If You Need Energy Before a Workout

If you’re following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, a wellness shot may be particularly useful before exercising, said Trista Best, MPH, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at Whitfield County Health Department in Dalton, Georgia.

They can provide a small boost of carbohydrates for workout fuel without sending you over your carb limit.

Best added that this can help prevent poor performance and deliver antioxidants and plant nutrients that may otherwise be missing from a low-carb diet, such as vitamin C from lemon juice or vitamin B from wheatgrass or other greens-based shots.

If You Want Digestion Support

Many people reach for ginger or vinegar-based shots in the morning to support digestion.

While there isn’t strong scientific evidence that timing makes a difference, taking these with or after breakfast may be gentler on your stomach than drinking them first thing, as both can contribute to acid reflux, said Montazeri.

If You’re Trying to Get Consistent Antioxidants

Ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and wheatgrass contain compounds that can produce antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects. In this case, Montazeri says there’s no one optimal time.

Instead, consistency makes the biggest difference. Occasional shots won’t move the needle much, but adding them regularly—without overdoing it—can complement an already balanced diet.

What Really Matters

Wellness shots can be a concentrated way to add certain plant-based compounds to your routine, but they’re not cure-alls. 

“A wellness shot can provide a burst of antioxidants or anti-inflammatory compounds, but it’s not a replacement for a balanced diet or long-term lifestyle habits,” said Montazeri. “While they can enhance wellness routines, they shouldn’t carry the weight of your nutrition plan.”

In fact, overdoing it can backfire. Daily shots with acidic ingredients may cause stomach upset, reflux, or interfere with medications like blood thinners, according to Montazeri. And while trendy labels often promise “detox” or “miracle cure,” those claims are too good to be true.