Does Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer Actually Help with Nausea? The Real Answer

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

For generations, people have reached for ginger ale or ginger beer when faced with an upset stomach. While real ginger root has scientifically proven anti-nausea properties, the actual effectiveness of these beverages largely depends on their real ginger content, which is often minimal in commercial brands.

Quick Summary

Most commercial ginger ale offers minimal therapeutic relief for nausea due to low ginger content, unlike real ginger root. Some ginger beers with actual ginger may help, but fresher, concentrated ginger forms like tea or supplements are most effective.

Key Points

Commercial Ginger Ale is Ineffective: Most major brands of ginger ale contain little to no real ginger, relying instead on artificial flavor and high sugar content.
Ginger Beer is a Better Choice: Authentic ginger beer is traditionally brewed with real ginger root, providing a higher concentration of the active compounds needed for relief.
Real Ginger Contains Active Compounds: The compounds gingerol and shogaol are responsible for ginger's scientifically proven anti-nausea effects, blocking nausea signals and speeding stomach emptying.
Beware of Sugar Content: High sugar levels in commercial sodas can increase bloating and gas, which may exacerbate stomach discomfort rather than relieve it.
Fresh Ginger is Most Potent: For the most reliable relief, remedies made with fresh ginger root, such as homemade tea, or ginger supplements are recommended.
The Power of the Placebo: Part of ginger ale's perceived effectiveness can be attributed to the placebo effect—if you believe it will help, it might provide a psychological sense of comfort.
Carbonation can offer relief: The bubbles in carbonated drinks can provide temporary relief from bloating and gas for some individuals by promoting burping.

The Traditional Belief vs. Modern Reality

For decades, ginger ale has been a go-to folk remedy for anyone feeling queasy. The image of a comforting, fizzy drink settling a sour stomach is deeply ingrained in our collective memory. However, what many people don't realize is that the vast majority of commercial ginger ales available on the market today contain very little, if any, actual ginger. Instead, they are flavored with ginger extract and packed with sugar. While this might taste like ginger, it lacks the key compounds responsible for the root's medicinal properties. This widespread misconception has led to a reliance on a beverage that may not be providing the therapeutic benefits people believe it is. In fact, for some, the high sugar content in these sodas can actually make symptoms of nausea worse by contributing to bloating and gas.

The Science Behind Ginger and Nausea

Real ginger root contains powerful bioactive compounds known as gingerols and shogaols. These compounds are responsible for ginger's pungent flavor and its ability to combat nausea. The scientific community has documented several ways these compounds help alleviate sickness:

Blocking Neurotransmitters: Gingerols and shogaols are believed to block the action of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which can trigger the vomiting reflex in the brain and gut.
Improving Gastric Motility: The compounds help speed up gastric emptying, meaning food moves out of the stomach and into the intestines more quickly. This can relieve the pressure and discomfort associated with indigestion and nausea.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Ginger has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the gastrointestinal tract, further reducing discomfort.

It is this potent, natural chemistry that makes authentic ginger an effective remedy for various types of nausea, including morning sickness, motion sickness, and post-chemotherapy sickness.

The Impact of Processing on Ginger's Potency

How ginger is processed significantly affects the concentration of its active compounds. Fresh ginger is rich in gingerols, while drying and cooking convert these into shogaols, which are considered twice as potent in some contexts. This is why fresh ginger tea or dried ginger capsules often provide a much stronger anti-nausea effect than a commercial, artificially flavored beverage.

The Role of Carbonation and the Placebo Effect

So, if commercial ginger ale is mostly sugar and artificial flavor, why does it seem to help some people? There are two main reasons: the carbonation and the psychological placebo effect. The fizzy bubbles in carbonated drinks can help alleviate nausea by promoting burping, which releases trapped gas and pressure in the stomach. This provides temporary relief for some individuals, even if the soda contains no real ginger. Additionally, the placebo effect is a powerful psychological phenomenon. If you grew up with a parent or grandparent giving you ginger ale to settle your stomach, the simple act of drinking it can trigger a feeling of comfort and relief, which can genuinely lessen the perception of nausea. This association, however, is not a pharmacological cure.

Comparison: Ginger Ale, Ginger Beer, and Real Ginger Remedies


Feature	Commercial Ginger Ale	Authentic Ginger Beer	Real Ginger Remedy (e.g., Tea)
Real Ginger Content	Little to none	High	High, concentrated
Effectiveness for Nausea	Primarily placebo or carbonation-based	More effective due to real ginger	Most effective due to high active compound concentration
Flavor	Mild and sweet	Stronger, spicier flavor	Pungent, customizable
Sugar Content	High	Variable (seek low-sugar options)	Customizable (add honey to taste)
Side Effects	Bloating, worsened gas due to sugar	Possible heartburn in high doses	Possible heartburn in high doses

Making Your Own Effective Ginger Remedy

For those seeking the true anti-nausea benefits of ginger, making your own remedy is the most reliable method. A simple and effective ginger tea can be made at home in minutes. Simply peel and slice or grate a 1 to 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root. Boil the ginger slices in a few cups of water for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the mixture, and sip the tea slowly. You can add a little honey and lemon for extra flavor and comfort. This method ensures you are consuming a sufficient amount of the powerful gingerols and shogaols needed for relief. For convenience on the go, consider ginger capsules, chews, or lozenges, which offer a concentrated dose without the sugar of sodas.

Conclusion

In summary, while many people find comfort in drinking ginger ale when they feel sick, the relief is often due to the placebo effect or the effects of carbonation, not a therapeutic dose of real ginger. Authentic ginger beer, with its higher concentration of ginger, is a more effective option. However, for maximum benefit, fresh ginger root in tea or a supplement remains the most potent and recommended remedy for nausea. Always check labels and choose low-sugar options to avoid worsening symptoms.

For more information on the health benefits of ginger, consider exploring this article on Healthline: Ginger for Nausea: Effectiveness, Safety, and Uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some people feel better due to the placebo effect, where the comfort of a familiar remedy provides psychological relief. Additionally, the carbonation might help alleviate bloating by allowing them to burp.

Yes, for some people, the high sugar content in most commercial ginger ales can increase bloating and gas, which can irritate an already upset stomach and worsen symptoms.

The key difference is the real ginger content. While most ginger ale uses artificial flavoring, authentic ginger beer is traditionally brewed with higher concentrations of real ginger root, making it more effective.

To ensure adequate intake of ginger's active compounds, consider using fresh ginger in homemade remedies or opting for ginger supplements with a known concentration of ginger extract.

The most effective methods include making a tea from fresh ginger root, or taking ginger in capsule, chew, or lozenge form, as these provide a concentrated dose of the active compounds.

In moderation, ginger is generally considered safe for morning sickness, but it is important to consult a healthcare provider for guidance, especially regarding appropriate usage.

Yes, in addition to nausea, ginger can help with digestion, bloating, and gas by speeding up gastric emptying and calming the digestive tract.

Diet ginger ale typically lacks real ginger and uses artificial sweeteners, which can sometimes cause or exacerbate gastrointestinal distress. It is generally not recommended for treating nausea.