Can Sugar Help with Nausea? Unpacking the Sweet Relief Debate

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated 80% of women experience nausea during the first trimester of pregnancy, with many turning to sweet or starchy foods for comfort. But is reaching for a sugary fix actually a good idea? The answer to 'can sugar help with nausea' is more complex than you might think, depending entirely on the underlying cause of your discomfort.

Quick Summary

The effectiveness of sugar for nausea depends heavily on the cause; it can provide relief for low blood sugar but may worsen other types of queasiness. Bland foods, proper hydration, and ginger are often safer and more effective remedies.

Key Points

Hypoglycemia Relief: Sugar can quickly alleviate nausea if it's caused by low blood sugar, such as with morning sickness or after not eating for a long time.
General Nausea Warning: For most other types of nausea, consuming high-sugar foods or drinks can actually worsen symptoms by delaying stomach emptying.
Better Alternatives: Proven remedies like ginger, peppermint, and bland foods (like crackers or toast) are generally safer and more effective for settling a queasy stomach.
Hydration is Key: Sipping clear, cold fluids slowly is crucial for staying hydrated, especially with vomiting, but opt for water or electrolyte drinks over very sugary sodas.
Read Labels: Commercial sugary drinks like some ginger ales and fruit juices often contain high amounts of sugar and can be counterproductive for nausea relief.
When in Doubt: If you are unsure of the cause or your nausea is severe and persistent, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.

The Surprising Truth About Sugar and Nausea

For decades, a spoonful of sugar, or a sip of a sweetened beverage, has been a common go-to for an upset stomach. While this folk remedy isn't entirely baseless, its effectiveness is highly conditional. The science reveals that sugar's impact on nausea can be a double-edged sword, offering relief in some specific situations while potentially exacerbating symptoms in others. Understanding the distinction is key to finding true comfort rather than making your discomfort worse.

When Sugar Might Actually Help with Nausea

The primary scenario in which sugar can help alleviate nausea is when the feeling is caused by hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This is a common cause of morning sickness and can occur after exercise or a long period without eating. When your blood sugar levels drop, your body releases hormones like adrenaline to compensate, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset. In these cases, consuming a small amount of sugar can help normalize your blood glucose levels, resolving the nausea. Good options for a quick sugar boost include:

A small amount of fruit juice
Honey or a glucose tablet
A small piece of candy (without a strong odor or taste that could trigger more nausea)

Why Too Much Sugar Can Worsen Nausea

For most other causes of nausea, such as food poisoning, motion sickness, or general upset stomach, high-sugar foods are generally counterproductive and can make you feel worse. Here's why:

Delayed Gastric Emptying: High-sugar and high-fat foods slow down the rate at which your stomach empties its contents. This can lead to a feeling of fullness and bloat, increasing overall discomfort and nausea.
Dehydration: Contrary to popular belief, very sugary drinks can actually worsen dehydration, especially if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. The sugar and artificial sweeteners in commercial sodas can draw water into the intestines, leading to more fluid loss.
Stomach Irritation: Greasy, fatty, and overly sweet foods are harder to digest and can further irritate a sensitive stomach lining. This is why doctors typically recommend bland, easily digestible foods for people recovering from a stomach illness.

Comparing Nausea Relief Options

Understanding the contrast between different remedies is important for making an informed choice when your stomach is unsettled. The table below outlines the comparison between high-sugar options and more effective alternatives.


Remedy Category	Pros	Cons	Best For
High-Sugar Foods/Drinks	Quick blood sugar boost (for hypoglycemia)	Can worsen nausea, bloating, and diarrhea	Hypoglycemia-related nausea
Bland Starches (Crackers, Toast)	Easy to digest, absorbs stomach acid	Less effective for severe dehydration	General upset stomach, morning sickness
Ginger	Proven anti-nausea effects, soothes digestion	Can cause heartburn in large doses	Morning sickness, chemotherapy, general nausea
Peppermint	Soothes muscles of the GI tract	Less effective than other options for severe nausea	Mild nausea, indigestion
Clear, Sugary Fluids	Replenishes glucose and fluids lost through vomiting	Must be consumed slowly to avoid worsening symptoms	Rehydration after vomiting

Safer and More Effective Alternatives to Sugar for Nausea

Instead of relying on a potentially risky sugary fix, several safe and science-backed alternatives exist to help manage nausea effectively. These include:

Ginger: Ginger is a widely studied and highly effective natural remedy for nausea. The active compounds gingerol and shogaol are known to speed up stomach emptying and block neurotransmitters that cause vomiting. It can be consumed as a tea, chewable supplement, or in encapsulated form. You can find more information on the benefits of ginger from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Peppermint: The aroma and consumption of peppermint can help relax the digestive tract muscles, easing nausea, particularly with indigestion. Peppermint tea or essential oil aromatherapy are common methods for relief.
The BRAT Diet: This diet, consisting of Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast, is excellent for settling an upset stomach. These bland, easily digestible foods won't aggravate your digestive system and can help restore lost nutrients.
Acupressure: Stimulating the P6 (Neiguan) acupressure point on the inner wrist can effectively reduce feelings of nausea for some people, including motion sickness and post-operative discomfort.
Proper Hydration: Sipping clear, cold fluids slowly is crucial, especially if you have been vomiting. Water, coconut water, or electrolyte-rich sports drinks can help prevent dehydration.

Conclusion: The Conditional Role of Sugar

Ultimately, whether sugar helps with nausea depends on the underlying cause. If you are experiencing symptoms due to low blood sugar, a small, controlled amount of sugar can be beneficial. However, for most other common causes, including stomach flu and morning sickness, high doses of sugar can be detrimental and should be avoided. The best approach is to listen to your body, stay hydrated with clear fluids, and rely on proven, safer remedies like ginger, peppermint, or bland starches. If nausea is persistent or severe, seeking advice from a healthcare professional is always the most prudent course of action.

A Comparison of Sweet and Bland Remedies


Remedy	Mechanism	Best Use Case	Risk
Sugary Drinks (Sodas, Juices)	Rapidly elevates blood sugar	Hypoglycemia-induced nausea	High risk of worsening most nausea, bloating, and diarrhea
Ginger Tea or Supplements	Speeds gastric motility, blocks vomiting receptors	Pregnancy, motion sickness, chemotherapy	Possible heartburn at very high doses
Bland Foods (Crackers, Toast)	Absorbs stomach acids	General upset stomach, morning sickness	Minimal
Acupressure	Stimulates a pressure point to calm the nervous system	Motion sickness, post-operative nausea	Minimal

A Final Word of Advice

Instead of blindly following old remedies, an informed and cautious approach is best when managing nausea. Identify the potential cause of your discomfort before reaching for a remedy. In most cases, bland foods and natural options like ginger are far more reliable and less likely to cause further irritation than high-sugar products. Always consult a medical professional for persistent or severe symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most causes of an upset stomach, like food poisoning or a stomach virus, drinking sugary sodas is not recommended. The high sugar content can worsen symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. Clear, non-carbonated liquids are a better choice.

High-sugar foods and drinks are generally not recommended for motion sickness. The best approach is to avoid strong smells and heavy foods, focusing instead on bland crackers, ginger, and getting fresh air.

Nausea from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is often accompanied by other symptoms like shakiness, anxiety, and sweating. It is typically relieved quickly by eating or drinking something with fast-acting carbohydrates.

Ginger can be used in several forms, including tea made from fresh ginger, capsules, or chewable candies. Many find sipping ginger tea slowly or taking a supplement to be highly effective for various types of nausea.

While clear fruit juices can help provide hydration and some calories after vomiting, overly sweet or acidic juices (like orange and grape) can irritate the stomach. Diluted juice or other electrolyte solutions may be better tolerated.

High sugar intake can delay gastric emptying, meaning food stays in your stomach longer. This can increase feelings of fullness, bloat, and overall nausea.

For children, it's safer to offer small, frequent sips of water, electrolyte solutions, or diluted juice to prevent dehydration. Consult a pediatrician before relying heavily on sugary liquids, which can worsen diarrhea.