Ginger ale may be a household go-to for an upset stomach, but for some people, drinking the soda could actually make things worse.
When you get a stomachache, you may reach for a glass of ginger ale to help feel better. It is a common home remedy for nausea or other gastrointestinal issues. However, some people online are wondering if their mom’s go-to cure actually works.
Does ginger ale help with stomachaches?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
While ginger root can help stomachaches, many popular brands of ginger ale do not contain any real ginger. The sugar and high carbonation may also worsen digestive problems.
WHAT WE FOUND
Ginger ale could help relieve stomachaches for some people, but only if it contains real ginger. A scientific review of more than 100 studies on the effects of ginger show moderate effectiveness in relieving nausea.
Emma Slattery, a registered dietician at Johns Hopkins Medicine, explains in a blog post that “eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn’t linger as long in the gut.” This can help you cut down on bloating and constipation as ginger improves “the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process.”
But while “ginger” may be in the name of the fizzy drinks you find in stores, many brands of ginger ale do not actually contain any real ginger.
VERIFY looked at the ingredients list of Seagram’s ginger ale and found that the soda contains “ginger extract with other natural flavors.” Schweppes, Canada Dry and Great Value ginger ale do not include ginger in their ingredient list and instead only say “natural flavors.” According to the FDA, “natural flavors” can refer to a wide variety of ingredients whose “significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
Ginger ale often contains large amounts of sugar, which may create further issues for your stomachache. In a blog post for the Cleveland Clinic, Matthew Goldman, M.D., says, “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.”
Another aspect of ginger ale believed to assist with stomachaches is carbonation. But that might not be helpful for everyone.
Baptist Health explains, “Some people find that the bubbles in carbonated drinks help soothe an upset stomach, in part, by making it easier for them to burp and release stomach pressure. For others, gas and acidity can make matters worse.” Baptist Health recommends that you drink heavily carbonated drinks with caution if you are not sure how they affect you.
So how can you best take advantage of ginger’s soothing effects when you’re feeling sick? Cleveland Clinic recommends getting ginger root from the grocery store and mixing it with decaf tea or warm water.
Some ginger sodas do have real ginger in the ingredient list. Reed’s sells a ginger ale with 2 grams of ginger in a 12 oz bottle and ginger beerthat contains 17 grams of ginger per bottle.
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FAQs
THE ANSWER. While ginger root can help stomachaches, many popular brands of ginger ale do not contain any real ginger. The sugar and high carbonation may also worsen digestive problems.
Does ginger ale actually help with stomach issues? ›
THE ANSWER. While ginger root can help stomachaches, many popular brands of ginger ale do not contain any real ginger. The sugar and high carbonation may also worsen digestive problems.
Does ginger ale actually have ginger in it? ›
Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage made with ginger root and a sweetener such as sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or a low calorie sweetener. Many commercial ginger ales contain little ginger and a lot of added sugar, but some traditional varieties contain real fermented ginger root.
Why is ginger ale bad for you? ›
Too much ginger may irritate the gut and stomach lining, causing increased acid secretion and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). The high sugar content of these drinks may cause weight gain, and insulin resistance, and predispose you to diabetes mellitus.
Is ginger actually good for your stomach? ›
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. Nausea relief.
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.
Ingredients: Both brands use high-quality ingredients, but Canada Dry highlights its natural flavors and real ginger extract, while Schweppes maintains its classic recipe with ginger root extract and high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener.
What is the healthiest ginger ale? ›
Zevia Zero Calorie Ginger Ale
Based on the nutrition label, this ginger ale is the healthiest with 0 of everything. It's made with carbonated water, stevia, natural flavors, citric acid and ginger extract.
What is the ginger ale lawsuit? ›
What this case was about: The Plaintiff alleged that Canada Dry used or published certain labelling and advertising material that contained false or misleading information regarding the ingredients of Canada Dry Ginger Ale soft drinks. Canada Dry completely denies any and all wrongdoing or liability.
Does Seagram's ginger ale have real ginger in it? ›
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).
Ginger is good for digestion and helps keep you from getting an upset stomach. Studies⁹ show ginger might even slow the progression of kidney disease. However, while commercially made ginger ale has less sugar than other sodas, it still has a lot of sugar.
Is ginger ale as bad as Coca Cola? ›
In the case of artificially flavored ginger ale, the beverage has no more health benefits than any other soda, which, of course, are zero. But in the case of ginger ale flavored by real ginger root, the beverage has marginally more health benefits than other soft drinks.
When should you not drink ginger ale? ›
“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.”
Who cannot take ginger? ›
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart conditions, and people with diabetes should not take ginger without talking to their doctors. DO NOT take ginger if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.
Can too much ginger damage your stomach? ›
Besides, treating stomach pain by overusing ginger can cause heartburn, diarrhea, even prolonged stomach pain. Therefore, ginger needs to be used properly to achieve high efficiency.
Does ginger ale actually help your stomach? ›
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.
Why is ginger ale good for IBS? ›
Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, it's thought that ginger could potentially alleviate IBS symptoms. Studies have found that ginger has a number of potential benefits for digestive health, including: reducing intestinal cramping.
Why does carbonation help upset the stomach? ›
Carbonated Drinks
Some people find that the bubbles in carbonated drinks help soothe an upset stomach, in part by making it easier for them to burp and release stomach pressure. For others, gas and acidity can make matters worse. If you're not sure how these drinks affect you, sip them slowly and cautiously.
Is ginger ale good when you're sick? ›
Ginger ale.
While ginger in its natural form may have some cold and flu benefits, this carbonated, sugary version won't offer much relief. Soft drinks of any kind have very little of the nutrients and electrolytes you need to fight off sickness. Get your ginger in a mug of hot tea instead.
Does ginger actually help with nausea? ›
Ginger is an ancient herb used widely in history for its many natural medicinal properties and particularly as an antiemetic. The best available evidence demonstrates that ginger is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea and vomiting and is safe.
