Is Ginger Beer Hard on Your Stomach? The Truth About the Spicy Brew

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, ginger enhances digestion and helps food move smoothly through the stomach. However, despite ginger's well-known benefits, for some individuals, the carbonation, sugar, or high concentration of ginger in ginger beer can indeed be hard on your stomach.

Quick Summary

Ginger beer can have both soothing and irritating effects on the stomach, depending on the individual and the product's ingredients. While the ginger root itself can aid digestion and nausea, the carbonation and high sugar content in many commercial brands may cause bloating, gas, and acid reflux in sensitive people.

Key Points

Dual Effect: While ginger's compounds can soothe nausea and aid digestion, the carbonation and sugar in ginger beer can cause stomach upset.
Carbonation Causes Bloating: The fizz in ginger beer introduces gas into the digestive system, which can lead to bloating, burping, and gas, especially for those with sensitive stomachs.
High Sugar Content Irritates: Many commercial brands contain high sugar levels that can disrupt gut balance and worsen indigestion and acid reflux.
Concentrated Ginger Can Irritate: Excessive amounts of ginger can irritate the stomach lining, potentially causing a burning sensation, heartburn, or diarrhea.
Fresh Ginger is Safer for Upset Stomach: For natural digestive relief, fresh ginger root or ginger tea is typically more effective and less irritating than ginger beer.
Check the Label: For a healthier option, look for naturally fermented, lower-sugar ginger beers with high-quality ingredients, or consider making your own.

The Dual Nature of Ginger: A Digestive Aid and a Potential Irritant

Ginger's reputation as a stomach soother is well-deserved, thanks to its active compounds, gingerols and shogaols. These substances can accelerate gastric emptying, helping to move food out of the stomach and alleviating feelings of nausea and bloating. For centuries, ginger has been a go-to folk remedy for various gastrointestinal issues. However, the key distinction lies in the form and quantity of ginger consumed. While ginger tea or small amounts of fresh ginger may help, the concentrated form and added ingredients in ginger beer introduce complexities that can turn a remedy into a source of discomfort.

Why Ginger Beer Can Sometimes Cause Stomach Distress

Several components of ginger beer can lead to digestive issues, especially for those with pre-existing sensitivities.

Carbonation

As a carbonated beverage, ginger beer contains dissolved carbon dioxide gas. When ingested, this gas can cause several issues for sensitive stomachs:

Bloating and Gas: The gas accumulates in the digestive tract, leading to a feeling of fullness, bloating, and increased burping or flatulence.
Increased Stomach Pressure: Carbonation can increase the internal pressure in the stomach. For individuals prone to acid reflux, this pressure can force stomach acid back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Sugar Content

Many commercial ginger beers are surprisingly high in sugar, a common cause of stomach problems.

Worsened Indigestion: High sugar intake can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria and fermentation in the intestines, which can lead to more gas and general indigestion.
Exacerbated Acid Reflux: High sugar content, especially high-fructose corn syrup, can worsen acid reflux symptoms in some people.

High Ginger Concentration

While small doses of ginger are beneficial, excessive amounts can have adverse effects.

Irritation: The spicy component, gingerol, is similar to capsaicin and can irritate the stomach lining, potentially causing a burning sensation or upset stomach.
Diarrhea: In large quantities, ginger can speed up the passage of food through the intestines, leading to diarrhea.

Ginger Beer vs. Other Ginger Forms for Digestive Relief

To understand why ginger beer might be hard on your stomach, it's helpful to compare it with other, less processed forms of ginger.


Feature	Ginger Beer	Fresh Ginger/Ginger Tea	Ginger Ale (Commercial)
Preparation	Fermented or carbonated with sugar and ginger.	Steeped fresh ginger root in hot water.	Typically uses artificial ginger flavoring, high-fructose corn syrup, and carbonated water.
Carbonation	Highly carbonated.	None.	Highly carbonated.
Sugar Content	Often high in sugar, unless a 'diet' version.	None or low (can add honey/lemon).	Very high in sugar.
Real Ginger Content	High, especially in traditionally brewed versions.	Maximum concentration from the fresh root.	Very low, often just flavoring.
Effect on Stomach	Can cause bloating, gas, heartburn, or diarrhea in excess.	Generally soothing; effective for nausea and indigestion.	Carbonation and sugar can worsen stomach issues.
Recommendation for Upset Stomach	Use with caution, especially for those sensitive to sugar or carbonation.	Best choice for natural nausea and indigestion relief.	Least recommended due to low ginger and high sugar content.

The Role of Probiotics in Fermented Ginger Beer

Some traditionally brewed, or homemade, ginger beers are fermented using a "ginger bug," which contains beneficial bacteria and yeast. The resulting product can be rich in probiotics, which support a healthy digestive system and gut microbiome.

However, commercially produced ginger beer is often manufactured rather than brewed naturally and contains artificial carbonation. This means many store-bought options lack the probiotic benefits of their artisanal counterparts and rely on high levels of sugar, which can negatively affect gut health.

Who Should Be Cautious About Drinking Ginger Beer

For most people, ginger beer in moderation is not problematic. However, certain individuals should exercise caution:

Individuals with GERD or Acid Reflux: The combination of carbonation and spicy ginger can increase stomach acid and weaken the esophageal sphincter, worsening symptoms.
Those with Sensitive Stomachs: People who are easily bloated or gassy from carbonated drinks should limit their intake.
Diabetics: The high sugar content in many brands can negatively impact blood sugar levels.
Those on Certain Medications: High amounts of ginger can act as a blood thinner, and pregnant women should also consult a doctor.

Conclusion

While ginger has well-established digestive benefits, the specific composition of ginger beer can make it hard on the stomach for some people. Factors such as carbonation, high sugar content, and a potent ginger concentration can cause or worsen bloating, gas, and acid reflux. For optimal digestive relief, less processed forms like fresh ginger tea are often a safer and more effective choice. If you enjoy ginger beer, be mindful of portion sizes and choose brands that are low in sugar or are naturally fermented with probiotics. As with any food or drink, listening to your body is the best guide for determining what works for your unique digestive system.

Authoritative Source

For more information on the health benefits and risks of ginger, consult a trusted medical institution. For example, Johns Hopkins Medicine provides comprehensive details on ginger's effects on digestion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ginger beer can cause heartburn. The carbonation can increase stomach pressure, while the spicy ginger itself can stimulate bile production and acid, potentially allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.

Ginger beer can make you feel bloated due to its carbonation. The dissolved carbon dioxide gas can accumulate in your stomach and intestines, causing a feeling of pressure and fullness.

It can be, but it depends on the person and the product. While ginger itself is known to relieve nausea, the carbonation and high sugar in some ginger beers can actually make an upset stomach worse. Fresh ginger tea is often a better remedy.

Ginger beer is often brewed with a higher concentration of real ginger than commercial ginger ale, which typically uses artificial flavoring. However, both are carbonated, and the high sugar content in many versions can be problematic for digestion.

Individuals with acid reflux should be cautious with ginger beer. The carbonation and high ginger content can potentially exacerbate symptoms, so it is often better to opt for non-carbonated ginger tea or consult a doctor.

The amount varies by individual sensitivity. However, ingesting very large quantities, more than a few glasses, can increase the risk of side effects like heartburn, bloating, and diarrhea due to high ginger and sugar content.

Yes, homemade ginger beer can be gentler. It is often naturally fermented, can be made with less sugar, and sometimes contains probiotics, which may be more beneficial for digestive health compared to artificially carbonated commercial versions.