What are the benefits of drinking ginger ale?

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

For over 2,500 years, the potent rhizome of the ginger plant has been a staple in traditional medicine systems across the globe. However, the modern, commercialized beverage is not the same as its traditional root-based ancestor. This article explores what are the benefits of drinking ginger ale and how to distinguish between genuine health benefits and marketing myths.

Quick Summary

The health benefits of ginger ale depend heavily on its real ginger content; commercial brands often lack the potency of true ginger, making homemade versions a superior option. Real ginger ale can aid digestion, soothe nausea, and offer anti-inflammatory effects, but most store-bought options are sugar-laden sodas with minimal therapeutic value.

Key Points

Source Matters: Most commercial ginger ale contains minimal, if any, real ginger and relies on artificial flavoring for taste.
Genuine Nausea Relief: Ginger's ability to soothe nausea is well-documented, but requires sufficient active compounds, which are often lacking in store-bought ale.
Aids Digestion: Real ginger can accelerate gastric emptying, helping to alleviate bloating and indigestion after meals.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: The bioactive compounds in ginger, like gingerols, have anti-inflammatory effects that may benefit various conditions.
Avoid Added Sugar: The high sugar content in many ginger ale brands can negate any potential health benefits and lead to other health issues.
Homemade is Best: To ensure real ginger benefits without excessive sugar and additives, making homemade ginger ale is the most reliable option.

The Therapeutic Potential of Real Ginger

Most potential health benefits associated with ginger ale are derived from the compounds found in ginger root itself. The key bioactive components, primarily gingerols and shogaols, are responsible for ginger's medicinal properties. For the modern consumer, the critical distinction lies between store-bought sodas and traditional or craft-made ginger ale, which utilize actual ginger extract or juice.

Nausea and Digestive Relief

One of the most well-known traditional uses of ginger is its ability to combat nausea and aid in digestion.

Relieves Nausea: Numerous studies confirm ginger's effectiveness against various forms of nausea, including morning sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and motion sickness. Gingerols and shogaols act on receptors in the gut and brain, reducing the sensation of nausea.
Eases Indigestion: Ginger promotes gastric motility, accelerating the rate at which food moves through the digestive tract. This can alleviate feelings of fullness and discomfort associated with indigestion.
Reduces Bloating and Gas: By helping food move more efficiently and possessing carminative properties, ginger can decrease fermentation in the gut, which often causes bloating and intestinal gas.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects

Beyond digestive aid, the compounds in ginger provide significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support.

Fights Inflammation: The gingerols in ginger are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce swelling and pain. This effect has been explored in conditions such as osteoarthritis and muscle soreness.
Provides Antioxidants: Ginger is rich in antioxidants that protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. This antioxidant activity helps combat oxidative stress, which is linked to various chronic diseases.

Potential Benefits for Other Conditions

Emerging research suggests ginger's reach may extend to other areas of health:

Menstrual Pain: Some studies have found ginger to be as effective as common pain relievers for alleviating menstrual cramps.
Heart Health and Blood Sugar: Preliminary research indicates that ginger may help lower blood sugar levels and improve heart health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.

Homemade vs. Commercial Ginger Ale

The key to unlocking ginger's therapeutic potential through ginger ale lies in its preparation. Many commercial brands use artificial flavorings, high fructose corn syrup, and minimal actual ginger, rendering them little more than sugary sodas with no significant health benefits. The fizz, rather than the ginger, is often responsible for any temporary stomach soothing effect experienced. In contrast, homemade ginger ale and premium craft versions use real ginger and can be controlled for sugar content, providing genuine health benefits.

How to Make a Healthier Ginger Ale

To ensure you are reaping the benefits of ginger, consider making your own ginger ale at home. This method gives you control over every ingredient. A simple recipe involves creating a ginger syrup from fresh ginger, water, and a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. This syrup is then mixed with carbonated water to taste.

Comparison Table: Homemade vs. Commercial Ginger Ale


Feature	Homemade Ginger Ale	Commercial Ginger Ale (e.g., Canada Dry)
Ginger Source	Uses fresh, grated ginger root; potent and active.	Often uses artificial "natural flavors" or minimal ginger extract.
Sugar Content	Fully customizable, can use honey, maple syrup, or less sugar overall.	High in sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, contributing empty calories.
Therapeutic Value	High, contains active gingerols and shogaols for relief.	Low to none, lacks sufficient ginger content for medicinal effects.
Added Ingredients	Natural ingredients like lemon juice and sweetener.	Often contains preservatives (e.g., sodium benzoate), caramel color, and artificial sweeteners.
Probiotic Potential	Can be fermented using a "ginger bug" to create a probiotic-rich drink.	Lacks probiotics, as carbonation is mechanically added, not fermented.

Conclusion

While the association of ginger ale with a home remedy for upset stomachs is strong, it's a legacy tied to the active compounds of real ginger, not the modern commercial beverage. The benefits of drinking ginger ale are only realized when the drink contains a substantial amount of real ginger. Commercial ginger ale, laden with sugar and often artificial flavors, offers minimal therapeutic value and carries the health risks associated with sugary sodas. For genuine nausea relief, digestive aid, and anti-inflammatory effects, opt for a craft-brewed ginger ale or, even better, prepare your own at home. This provides a refreshing, effective, and wholesome way to incorporate the potent benefits of ginger into your diet.

For more detailed scientific information on the medicinal properties of ginger, the National Institutes of Health provides extensive research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only ginger ale made with a significant amount of real ginger can effectively help an upset stomach by utilizing gingerol's digestive benefits. Most commercial brands contain minimal or no real ginger, so the perceived benefit is often a placebo effect or temporary relief from carbonation.

No, most popular commercial brands like Canada Dry contain very little, if any, real ginger extract. The health benefits are negligible, and the high sugar or artificial sweetener content categorizes it as a soda, which is not recommended for health purposes.

Ginger ale is typically a milder, sweeter, and artificially carbonated beverage. In contrast, traditional ginger beer is brewed and fermented using real ginger, resulting in a spicier, more robust flavor and potentially higher ginger content.

To check for real ginger, read the ingredients list. Look for terms like "real ginger," "ginger extract," or fermented ingredients. Be wary of brands that simply list "natural flavors," which can be an artificial substitute.

Healthier alternatives include brewing your own ginger tea, making homemade ginger ale with fresh ginger, or consuming ginger capsules. These options offer the full therapeutic benefits of ginger without the added sugars or artificial ingredients found in most sodas.

Some research supports ginger's effectiveness in easing pregnancy-related nausea, but it's important to choose a version with real ginger and monitor sugar intake. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) mentions ginger as an acceptable non-pharmaceutical remedy, but you should still consult a doctor before consumption.

Excessive consumption of commercial ginger ale can lead to side effects primarily due to its high sugar and carbonation. These can include weight gain, elevated blood sugar, dental issues, bloating, and increased gas. In large amounts, ginger itself may cause mild heartburn or affect blood-thinning medications.