What Candy is Good for Nausea? The Best Sweet and Soothing Relief Options

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

For centuries, natural remedies like ginger have been used to soothe an upset stomach. If you're wondering what candy is good for nausea, options featuring ginger, peppermint, or sour flavors can offer a sweet and effective form of relief for various causes, from morning sickness to motion sickness.

Quick Summary

Explore the best candy options for relieving nausea, including ginger chews, peppermint drops, and sour candies. Learn how these simple treats can effectively soothe an upset stomach.

Key Points

Ginger Candy: Contains potent gingerols and shogaols proven to help regulate digestive processes and combat nausea.
Peppermint Candy: Uses peppermint oil to relax stomach muscles and can provide relief from nausea and motion sickness.
Sour Candy: The intense flavor can provide a powerful distraction and is often effective for curbing mild morning sickness.
Check Ingredients: For maximum effectiveness, look for candies with a high concentration of active, natural anti-nausea ingredients like real ginger or peppermint oil.
Consider Hard Candy vs. Chews: Hard candies offer a slower, more prolonged release of flavor and active ingredients, while chews provide faster, more intense relief.

Understanding the Connection Between Candy and Nausea Relief

When you're feeling queasy, the thought of eating can be unappealing, but certain candies can provide targeted comfort. The relief often comes from two main sources: the sugar content and the active ingredients. A small amount of sugar can help stabilize blood sugar levels, especially if nausea is related to an empty stomach. The act of sucking on a piece of candy can also increase saliva production, which helps to neutralize stomach acid. However, the most potent anti-nausea effects come from specific ingredients infused into the candy.

How Candies Can Settle Your Stomach

Active Ingredients: Candies containing natural ingredients like ginger, peppermint oil, and certain sour flavors leverage their inherent medicinal properties. Ginger, for instance, contains active compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which help regulate digestive processes. Peppermint oil has a muscle-relaxant effect that can calm the stomach.
Distraction: The intense flavor and the act of focusing on the candy can provide a welcome distraction from the feeling of nausea.
Aromatherapy: For candies like peppermint drops, the aroma itself can have a soothing effect on the senses, further aiding in relief.

The Best Candies for Nausea Relief

Here is a breakdown of the most effective types of candy for combating nausea, according to anecdotal evidence and scientific studies.

Ginger Candy

Ginger is perhaps the most well-researched natural remedy for nausea. Its compounds help accelerate gastric emptying and block the body's reflex to vomit.

Gin Gins Chewy Ginger Candy: These are a very popular and potent option, often praised for their high concentration of real ginger. They come in various forms, including chews and hard candies, catering to different preferences.
Tummydrops Ginger: Developed by digestive health experts, these lozenges use a patented delivery system for fast-acting relief.
Homemade Ginger Candies: Recipes are available for making your own ginger-infused candies, allowing you to control the potency and ingredients.

Peppermint Candy

Peppermint oil has been shown to be effective in relieving the frequency and intensity of nausea by relaxing the stomach muscles.

Pink Stork Peppermint Sweets: Designed with pregnant women in mind, these organic lozenges contain peppermint oil and Vitamin B6 to calm the stomach.
VerMints Peppermint: These mints offer a clean, refreshing peppermint flavor that can help soothe an upset stomach.
Classic Peppermint Candies: Simple, inexpensive peppermint hard candies can also provide mild relief and a pleasant distraction.

Sour Candy

For many, especially those with morning sickness, a strong, sour flavor can be a powerful distraction and can help curb feelings of queasiness.

Queasy Drops / Preggie Pop Drops: Developed by healthcare professionals, these hard candies come in a variety of sour flavors and are popular among those with morning sickness.
Sour Skittles or Jolly Ranchers: The intense sour flavor of these common candies can be enough to distract and relieve mild nausea.

A Comparison of Popular Nausea-Relief Candies


Candy Type	Key Ingredient	Primary Benefit	Best For	Considerations
Gin Gins Chewy Ginger	Ginger	Strong anti-emetic properties	Severe nausea, motion sickness	Can be too spicy for some
Pink Stork Peppermint Sweets	Peppermint oil, B6	Relaxes stomach muscles	Morning sickness, indigestion	Gentle, organic, and effective
Preggie Pop Drops	Sour fruit flavors	Provides distraction, curbs queasiness	Morning sickness	Developed for pregnancy, not for all types of nausea
Traditional Mints	Peppermint	Mild relief, stomach acid neutralization	Mild nausea, indigestion	Less potent than dedicated products
Sour Lemon Drops	Citric Acid	Stimulates saliva, distraction	Mild nausea, morning sickness	Ensure high-quality ingredients

Tips for Using Candy to Combat Nausea

Don't Wait Too Long: As soon as you feel a hint of nausea, reach for your candy. Waiting too long can make it less effective.
Stay Hydrated: Always sip on clear, ice-cold fluids alongside your candy. Dehydration can worsen nausea.
Monitor Sugar Intake: While a small amount is helpful, too much sugar can cause further stomach upset. Use candy as a temporary aid, not a long-term solution.
Choose the Right Form: Hard candies last longer, providing sustained relief, while chews offer a quicker burst of flavor and active ingredients. Choose based on your preference and need.

Conclusion: Finding Your Sweet Spot for Soothing Nausea

There are several effective candy options for managing nausea, each with its own benefits. Ginger candies are a powerful choice for many, thanks to gingerols and shogaols that actively settle the stomach. Peppermint and sour candies provide relief through different mechanisms, such as muscle relaxation and distraction. When selecting your candy, consider the cause of your nausea and your personal taste preferences. Always remember that while candy can provide temporary relief, persistent or severe nausea may require a doctor's consultation. By choosing the right sweet treat, you can find a simple and effective way to soothe an upset stomach and feel better, faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the sugar in any hard candy can help an empty stomach and increase saliva to neutralize stomach acid, candies with specific active ingredients like ginger or peppermint are generally more effective for targeted relief.

The speed of relief varies depending on the cause and severity of nausea, as well as the active ingredients. Some people feel better in a few minutes, while for more serious issues, it may take longer.

Neither form is inherently better; it depends on personal preference. Hard candies provide a slower, sustained release of ingredients, while chews offer a more immediate burst of flavor and active compounds.

It is crucial to choose an age-appropriate candy for children, especially those under 12. Some manufacturers use different formulas for kids, and lozenges are often recommended.

While candy can provide temporary relief for mild nausea, it is not a substitute for medical advice. If you experience persistent, severe, or worsening nausea, consult a healthcare professional.

Yes, many pregnant individuals find that sour candies, like Queasy Drops and Preggie Pop Drops, can effectively combat morning sickness. The intense flavor provides a distraction from the queasy feeling.

Other strategies include sipping ice-cold, clear fluids, eating small, bland meals (like the BRAT diet), avoiding greasy foods, and focusing on a fixed point if experiencing motion sickness.