Are Ginger Chews Full of Sugar? A Look at the Sweet and Spicy Truth

December 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, limiting your intake of free sugars to less than 10% of your total energy intake provides significant health benefits. Many consumers turn to ginger chews for their digestive benefits, but questions often arise about their sugar content.

Quick Summary

Ginger chews typically contain a significant amount of added sugar, used for both taste and texture, with some brands having 3 to 10 grams per piece. Consumers should read nutrition labels carefully and consider brands with lower sugar or sugar-free alternatives if concerned about high sugar intake.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: Most ginger chews rely on significant amounts of added sugar for both flavor and chewy texture.
Label Literacy is Key: Read nutrition labels and ingredient lists, as sugar content varies widely between brands, from 3g to over 10g per serving.
Consider Alternative Options: For therapeutic benefits without the sugar, choose sugar-free versions sweetened with alternatives like stevia or consume fresh ginger tea.
Moderate Consumption: Due to high sugar content, ginger chews should be considered a candy and consumed in moderation, not relied upon as a primary health supplement.
Natural Benefits Remain: Despite the added sugar, the real ginger in the chews still contains natural compounds that may aid in relieving nausea and inflammation.
Beware of Exceeding Daily Limits: A few ginger chews can quickly add up and exceed daily recommended limits for added sugar intake.
Look for Simple Ingredients: Products with a shorter, more transparent ingredient list, where sugar is not the first item, are generally better options.

Decoding the Sweetness in Your Ginger Chew

For many, ginger chews are a staple for combating nausea, soothing digestion, or simply enjoying a sweet, spicy treat. However, the chewy texture and palatable flavor come at a cost: added sugar. While ginger itself is sugar-free and offers numerous health benefits due to its natural compounds like gingerol, the final product is often far from a health food. The amount of sugar can vary dramatically by brand, making label-reading a crucial habit for health-conscious consumers.

The Role of Sugar in Ginger Chews

Sugar is added to ginger chews for two primary reasons: taste and texture. The natural spiciness of raw ginger is often too intense for most palates, and sugar helps to balance and mellow this flavor. It is also a critical component in creating the characteristic chewy, pliable consistency of the candy. Without sugar or an alternative sweetener, the product would be hard, brittle, or powdery.

However, the presence of sugar means that ginger chews should be viewed more as a candy than a health supplement, and consumed in moderation. Excessive sugar intake is linked to weight gain, inflammation, and other health issues, which can undermine the purported benefits of ginger.

Comparing Popular Ginger Chew Brands by Sugar Content

To help illustrate the differences in sugar content, here is a comparison of several popular brands. This table highlights how much the nutritional profile can differ, even within the same product category. It is always recommended to check the specific nutrition label of the product you purchase, as formulations can change.


Brand	Flavor	Serving Size	Sugar (per serving)	Ingredients List	Notes
Chimes	Original Chewy Ginger Candy	1 piece (~4g)	3g	Cane sugar, ginger, tapioca starch	A commonly available option with a moderate sugar content per piece.
The Ginger People	Gin Gins Chewy Ginger Candy	2 chews	10g	Cane sugar, ginger, tapioca starch	Higher sugar per piece, important to note the serving size is two chews.
Prince of Peace	Natural Ginger Chews	1 piece (~4g)	3g	Cane sugar, ginger, tapioca starch	Similar to Chimes with 3g per chew.
Bali's Best	Spicy Original Ginger Chews	1 piece	3g	Cane sugar, tapioca starch, ginger	Also in the 3g-per-chew category.
Andy Anand	Sugar-Free Ginger Candy	Not specified	0g	Stevia, ginger	A sugar-free alternative for those monitoring their sugar intake closely.

How to Choose a Healthier Ginger Chew Option

When navigating the wide array of ginger chew products, consider these points to make a more health-conscious choice:

Read the Ingredients: Always check the ingredients list. The primary ingredients are listed first, so if sugar or cane sugar is at the top, you know it is a major component.
Look at the Nutrition Label: Don't just look at the total carbohydrates. Focus specifically on the "Sugars" line. For multi-piece servings, do the math to figure out the sugar per individual chew.
Consider Sugar-Free Alternatives: Some companies, like Andy Anand, offer sugar-free ginger chews that use natural sweeteners like stevia. These can provide the ginger benefits without the sugar spike.
Make Your Own: For the ultimate control over ingredients, you can make your own candied ginger using minimal sweeteners like coconut sugar, or none at all if you prefer the raw, spicy flavor.
Evaluate Your Goals: If you're seeking the medicinal benefits of ginger, remember that chews contain a varying, and often low, concentration of the active compounds compared to supplements or fresh ginger root. For therapeutic purposes, other forms of ginger may be more effective.

The Bottom Line: Sugar vs. Ginger Benefits

While ginger chews can provide the anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory benefits associated with ginger, the amount of sugar can be a major drawback, especially for those watching their intake. For example, consuming 5-6 chews from a brand like The Ginger People could exceed the American Heart Association's daily added sugar recommendation for women.

To make the healthiest choice, evaluate your needs. If you want a quick fix for nausea, a single chew may suffice. However, if you are regularly consuming them, consider switching to lower-sugar brands, sugar-free alternatives, or even fresh ginger tea to gain the health benefits without the excessive sweetness. The key is balance and awareness of what you're actually consuming.

The World Health Organization suggests keeping free sugar intake below 5% of total energy intake for additional health benefits.

Conclusion

In short, while ginger chews do offer some of the natural benefits of ginger, the vast majority are indeed full of sugar. The sugar is used to mask ginger's natural heat and create the desirable chewy consistency. It is essential for consumers to read nutrition labels and ingredient lists carefully. By being mindful of sugar content and exploring low-sugar or sugar-free options, one can still enjoy the spicy flavor and digestive perks of ginger without the unnecessary sugar load.

Frequently Asked Questions

The sugar content in ginger chews varies by brand, but many common chews contain approximately 3 grams of sugar per piece. However, some brands have higher amounts, with some serving sizes (of multiple chews) containing 10 grams or more.

Sugar is a primary ingredient in most ginger chews because it masks the intense spiciness of the ginger and helps achieve the soft, chewy texture characteristic of candy. This is especially true for mass-produced versions.

Yes, some brands produce sugar-free ginger chews that use natural, calorie-free sweeteners like stevia. These are a good alternative for those who need to monitor their sugar intake, such as individuals with diabetes.

While the ginger itself retains its anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties, excessive sugar can contribute to inflammation and other health issues, potentially undermining the overall health benefits. High sugar intake is also linked to weight gain and blood sugar spikes.

Consuming ginger chews daily is generally acceptable if done in moderation and within your recommended daily sugar limit. However, due to the high sugar content of many brands, over-indulging can easily lead to excessive sugar intake.

To check for high sugar, examine the ingredients list and the nutrition facts label. If a form of sugar (e.g., cane sugar, brown sugar) is one of the first few ingredients, it's likely high in sugar. Additionally, compare the "Sugars" line in the nutrition facts against daily recommendations.

Healthier alternatives include sugar-free ginger chews, fresh ginger tea, or making your own with minimal or alternative sweeteners. You can also simply chew on a small piece of raw or cooked ginger root.