Does Ginger Ale Really Help With Nausea and Digestion? - GoodRx (2024)

In this video, learn why ginger ale isn’t as helpful for nausea as other drinks with more ginger root in them.

It’s true that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, says registered dietitian Sharon Richter, RD. And studies have found that ginger can help ease pregnancy nausea and postoperative nausea and vomiting.

But there’s little real ginger in the fizzy carbonated version you buy by the liter. “Most popular brands of ginger ale beverages don't have any real ginger,” says Richter. “What they do have is artificial flavors and sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup.” A better bet for soothing your stomach? Make ginger tea with fresh ginger.

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  • Sharon Richter, RDSharon Richter is a registered dietitian with a private nutrition practice in New York City.

    References

    Ali, B.H. (2008). Some phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): a review of recent research. Food and Chemical Toxicology.

    White, B. (2007). Ginger: an overview. American Family Physician.

    GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

    Does Ginger Ale Really Help With Nausea and Digestion? - GoodRx (2024)

    FAQs

    Does Ginger Ale Really Help With Nausea and Digestion? - GoodRx? ›

    You may have heard that ginger or peppermint could help with nausea. In fact, ginger has been shown in some small studies to reduce nausea and vomiting in certain situations. It's thought to improve how quickly food moves through your stomach and affect areas in the brain that cause nausea.

    Does ginger ale actually help with digestion? ›

    For some people, the carbonation in ginger ale and other fizzy beverages may help ease their gastrointestinal distress, Sassos said, while other people may find that it makes things worse. So it really depends on how your body responds.

    Does ginger ale have enough ginger to help with nausea? ›

    The bottom line. Ginger root has a long history of relieving nausea. Unfortunately, commercial ginger ale just doesn't contain much ginger and is unlikely to help. Be wary: Carbonation, sugar, and artificial sweeteners may actually worsen your symptoms.

    What ginger ale is best for stomach problems? ›

    As per Lehigh University, it's important to note that flat ginger ale is preferable to carbonated ginger ale for upset stomachs because the bubbles (soda) in carbonated ginger ale might aggravate digestive problems.

    What is better for an upset stomach Sprite or ginger ale? ›

    Ginger ale: Ginger ale has the same potential benefits as Sprite, but it may also relieve nausea because it contains ginger. However, most commercial ginger ales contain very little real ginger. People can check ingredient labels to find out how much ginger a product contains.

    Is Canada Dry Ginger Ale good for you? ›

    Canada Dry Ginger Ale contains substantial amounts of sugar, contributing to increased daily caloric intake. Overconsumption of sugary drinks is associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes, dental problems, and heart disease. Moderation is key.

    What to drink to settle the stomach? ›

    Treatment & Prevention
    • Sports drinks.
    • Clear, non-caffeinated sodas such as 7-Up, Sprite or ginger ale.
    • Diluted juices such as apple, grape, cherry or cranberry (avoid citrus juices)
    • Clear soup broth or bouillon.
    • Popsicles.
    • Decaffeinated tea.

    Does Canada Dry Ginger Ale have real ginger in it? ›

    Ingredients: CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AND LESS THAN 2% OF: GINGER EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), CARAMEL COLOR.

    Why do doctors recommend ginger ale? ›

    May help reduce nausea

    Consuming ginger may help relieve upset stomach and nausea related to stomach flu, severe migraines, chemotherapy, or morning sickness in pregnancy. This may be partly due to natural compounds found in ginger, including gingerols and shogaols ( 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ).

    What relieves nausea fast? ›

    Things that may help you stop feeling sick
    • get plenty of fresh air.
    • distract yourself – for example, listen to music or watch a film.
    • take regular sips of a cold drink.
    • drink ginger or peppermint tea.
    • eat foods containing ginger – such as ginger biscuits.
    • eat smaller, more frequent meals.

    Does ginger ale reduce stomach acid? ›

    Ginger. You might already grab ginger when you have a bellyache, but its stomach-calming properties are thought to help reduce acid reflux symptoms too.

    What soda is good for nausea? ›

    Cola, ginger ale or coconut water are among the preferred remedies. There are many reasons we might feel nauseated, and drinking liquids is often the fastest way to fight back. Many people have their pet remedies, such as cola, ginger ale and coconut water.

    Does Seagrams have real ginger? ›

    Ingredients. CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CITRIC ACID, GINGER EXTRACT WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS, POTASSIUM SORBATE (TO PROTECT TASTE), CARAMEL COLOR, SODIUM BENZOATE (TO PROTECT TASTE).

    Does Canada Dry Ginger Ale help with nausea? ›

    Research has shown that fresh ginger root can alleviate nausea. However, commercialized ginger ale contains very little, if any, ginger. It mostly contains sugar, carbonated water, and ginger flavoring. Therefore, the soda doesn't have the ability to make you feel better.

    Does ginger ale help with digestion? ›

    It could even make matters worse. “Most commercial-brand ginger ales have at least 10 teaspoons of sugar,” says Dr. Goldman. “If a person has bloating, gas or indigestion, the carbonation and sugar may make it worse.

    Why does ginger ale settle my stomach? ›

    “The basic explanation of how ginger cures a stomach ache is that it has spasmolytic properties,” says Walsh. She explains that ginger works to calm the spasms that occur in the smooth muscle, which is the type of muscle found in the stomach and other organs that comprise the digestive system.

    Is ginger ale good for gut health? ›

    “Most commercial-brand ginger ales have at least 10 teaspoons of sugar,” says Dr. Goldman. “If a person has bloating, gas or indigestion, the carbonation and sugar may make it worse. Even diet ginger ale can be harmful because our bodies may not digest artificial sugars as well.”

    Is ginger drink good for digestion? ›

    Health Benefits of Ginger

    Ginger is not just delicious. Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, benefits gastrointestinal motility ― the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process. Eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn't linger as long in the gut.

    Why does Canada Dry help upset stomach? ›

    Sadly, Canada Dry doesn't help upset stomachs, and here's why: While it makes for a delicious casual beverage, Canada Dry is almost pure sugar and carbonation (unlike ginger beer). Looking at the ingredients on the label, there's no real ginger included.

    Does Canada Dry contain real ginger? ›

    Ingredients: CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AND LESS THAN 2% OF: GINGER EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE (PRESERVATIVE), CARAMEL COLOR.

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