What Does Drinking Ginger Ale Do For Your Body? Unpacking the Fizz and Facts

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Many popular commercial brands of ginger ale contain less than 2% ginger extract, if any at all. So, what does drinking ginger ale do for your body when the ginger is mostly a flavoring and not a potent ingredient?

Quick Summary

Commercial ginger ale is often high in sugar and low in real ginger, offering minimal health benefits. While ginger root can aid digestion and nausea, the processed soda version is largely unhelpful for these issues and may even cause discomfort due to sugar and carbonation.

Key Points

Limited Health Benefits: Commercial ginger ale contains very little, if any, real ginger and is primarily a high-sugar, carbonated soda.
Nausea Relief: Real ginger root, found in tea or supplements, effectively reduces nausea associated with pregnancy, motion sickness, and chemotherapy due to its active compounds.
Digestive Aid: The gingerol in real ginger encourages gastric emptying, helping to alleviate indigestion, bloating, and gas.
High Sugar Risk: The high sugar content in many store-bought ginger ales offers no nutritional benefit and contributes to health risks like weight gain and diabetes.
Homemade is Best: To get the real benefits of ginger, opt for homemade ginger ale with fresh ginger or a fermented ginger beer, which can contain probiotics.
Placebo Effect: Any perceived relief from commercial ginger ale is often attributed to the comforting carbonation or a psychological placebo effect, not the minimal ginger content.
Potential Downsides: The carbonation in ginger ale can worsen bloating and gas, while diet versions may contain artificial sweeteners that cause gastric distress.

The Modern Commercial Ginger Ale: Sugar, Bubbles, and a Dash of Flavoring

For decades, ginger ale has been a go-to remedy for upset stomachs, a tradition passed down through generations. However, the commercial beverage sold today is a far cry from the original, naturally fermented ginger beer it evolved from. Most mass-market ginger ales are simply carbonated water sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and flavored with artificial or miniscule amounts of ginger extract.

High Sugar Content: A typical 12 oz can of commercial ginger ale can contain upwards of 30 grams of sugar, with some brands listing high fructose corn syrup as a primary ingredient. This can lead to blood sugar spikes and offers no nutritional value. Excess sugar intake is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Deceptive Labeling: Some brands have faced lawsuits for claiming to be "made with real ginger," despite containing negligible amounts. The actual ginger compound content can be as low as two parts per million in some cases, offering no therapeutic benefits.
The Fizz Factor: The carbonation in ginger ale, like other sodas, can exacerbate digestive discomfort for some individuals, causing bloating, burping, and gas.

The True Power of Ginger: Benefits from the Root

In stark contrast to the sugary soda, authentic ginger root and products made with it offer a host of proven health benefits. The therapeutic properties of ginger are attributed to its bioactive compounds, primarily gingerols and shogaols.

Nausea Relief and Digestive Aid

One of the most well-documented uses of ginger is its ability to combat nausea and vomiting. It is frequently used for nausea associated with:

Motion sickness during travel
Morning sickness in early pregnancy
Chemotherapy treatments

Beyond nausea, ginger also aids in digestion by encouraging gastric motility—the rate at which food moves through the stomach. This can help alleviate bloating, gas, and feelings of fullness or indigestion.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties

Gingerol and other compounds in ginger have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This can help reduce inflammation throughout the body, potentially offering benefits for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Other Potential Benefits

Research suggests ginger may have other positive effects on the body:

Circulation: It acts as a vasodilator, which can help relax and expand blood vessels, improving overall circulation.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Some studies indicate that ginger may help lower blood sugar levels and regulate insulin production.
Immune Support: Its antibacterial properties may help fight infections and support the immune system.

Separating Fact from Fizz: Commercial vs. Homemade Ginger Ale

To truly understand the difference, a direct comparison is essential.


Feature	Commercial Ginger Ale (e.g., Canada Dry)	Homemade Ginger Ale / Real Ginger
Ingredients	High fructose corn syrup, natural/artificial flavors, carbonated water, caramel color	Fresh ginger, sugar/honey, water, citrus (lemon/lime), yeast for fermentation or sparkling water
Real Ginger Content	Minuscule amount of ginger extract or just flavoring; not enough for therapeutic benefit	Significant, potent amounts of real ginger root, containing active gingerol and shogaol
Sugar Content	Very high, with a single can containing over 30g of sugar	Can be adjusted or made with natural sweeteners; probiotic versions often have lower sugar
Probiotic Potential	None; artificially carbonated	Fermented versions ('ginger bug' method) contain beneficial probiotics for gut health
Therapeutic Benefits	Largely none; placebo effect or comfort from carbonation is the likely cause of perceived relief	Proven relief for nausea, indigestion, and inflammation due to ginger's compounds

Potential Downsides and Hidden Risks

While the high sugar content is the most obvious drawback of commercial ginger ale, even ginger itself can have some side effects in high doses.

Sugar-Related Complications: Regular, large-scale consumption of sugary sodas contributes to weight gain, dental decay, and increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Carbonation and GI Issues: For those with sensitive stomachs, irritable bowel syndrome, or other digestive disorders, the carbonation can cause gas and bloating, worsening symptoms rather than helping. Diet versions with artificial sweeteners like sugar alcohols can also cause gastric distress.
Medication Interactions: In high, supplementary doses, ginger can slow blood clotting. Individuals on blood-thinning medication (anticoagulants) should consult a doctor before consuming large amounts of real ginger, though this is not a concern with low-ginger commercial sodas.

What to Drink Instead for Tummy Troubles

If your goal is genuine relief from nausea or digestive issues, there are far more effective options than commercial ginger ale:

Ginger Tea: Steep fresh, grated ginger root in hot water for a potent, soothing beverage. You can add honey or lemon for taste.
Herbal Teas: Chamomile and peppermint teas are also known for their calming effects on the stomach.
Homemade Ginger Ale: Create a healthy version using fresh ginger, natural sweeteners, and sparkling water for all the benefits without the junk. You can also use a fermented ginger bug for probiotics.
Clear Broth and Water: Hydration is key when you have an upset stomach, and simple, clear fluids are often best.
BRAT Diet Foods: Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are bland, easily digestible options for soothing the gut.

Conclusion

While a can of commercial ginger ale may offer comfort due to nostalgia and the placebo effect, it does not provide the genuine health benefits of real ginger. The vast majority of mainstream brands are simply sugary, carbonated soft drinks that contain negligible amounts of ginger extract. For true relief from nausea or digestive issues, or to reap ginger's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory rewards, it is essential to consume a product made with real ginger root or a homemade version. By understanding the difference between the modern soda and the potent, natural remedy, you can make a healthier choice for your body.

For more information on the benefits of real ginger root, consult reputable sources like Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, commercial ginger ale typically contains very little real ginger, so its therapeutic effects are minimal. Any relief felt is likely from the carbonation or the placebo effect, not the ginger itself.

Ginger beer is usually brewed and fermented with more real ginger, giving it a stronger, spicier flavor. Ginger ale is a milder, carbonated soda with less, or sometimes no, real ginger.

While real ginger can help with pregnancy-related nausea, most commercial ginger ale does not contain enough ginger to be effective. Ginger tea or supplements are better options.

Diet ginger ales eliminate sugar but use artificial sweeteners, which can cause gastric distress like bloating and diarrhea, especially in high amounts. They still lack the benefits of real ginger.

The most effective way is to consume real ginger root, either by making homemade ginger tea, taking ginger supplements, or using fresh, grated ginger in your cooking.

Yes, excessive consumption of sugary beverages like ginger ale contributes to weight gain, tooth decay, and increases the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

For some people, the carbonation can lead to increased bloating, gas, and overall digestive discomfort, which can worsen symptoms of an upset stomach.