What sweets are good for motion sickness? A guide to soothing remedies

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

While motion sickness is a common affliction affecting people during travel, certain sweets can offer surprising relief from the accompanying nausea. Many swear by simple candies infused with natural ingredients to help soothe upset stomachs and provide a much-needed distraction. This guide explores what sweets are good for motion sickness, focusing on natural and effective options.

Quick Summary

This article discusses various sweets, such as ginger chews, peppermint candies, and lemon drops, that are commonly used to alleviate nausea associated with motion sickness, explaining their mechanisms and proper usage.

Key Points

Ginger is highly effective for nausea: Ginger chews and candied ginger are backed by research for their ability to calm the stomach and alleviate motion sickness symptoms.
Peppermint has a soothing effect: Peppermint candies can relax digestive muscles and provide a refreshing, calming sensation that helps combat nausea.
Sour and citrus flavors can distract the mind: Sucking on lemon drops or sour candies can refocus the brain's attention and increase saliva production, which helps settle the stomach.
Hard candies offer consistent relief: Both ginger and peppermint hard candies provide a steady release of their active ingredients, offering prolonged soothing effects.
For optimal results, use sweets with other strategies: Combining your favorite anti-nausea candy with staying hydrated, eating small, bland meals, and focusing on the horizon is the best approach for motion sickness.

Understanding the role of sweets in combating nausea

Motion sickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals from your inner ears, eyes, and body, leading to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. While medication is an option, many people prefer natural, non-drowsy remedies. Sweets can be effective in this regard for a few key reasons. First, the act of sucking on a hard candy increases saliva production, which can help settle an upset stomach. Second, the distraction of a pleasant, strong flavor can refocus your brain's attention away from the discomfort. Lastly, specific ingredients like ginger and peppermint have proven anti-nausea properties.

The power of ginger: A timeless remedy

Ginger is perhaps the most well-known natural remedy for nausea and motion sickness, and for good reason. Numerous studies have highlighted its effectiveness in calming the stomach and alleviating symptoms. It's thought to work by speeding up stomach emptying and relaxing muscles in the digestive tract.

Ginger Chews: These are a fantastic, chewy option for motion sickness. Brands like Gin Gins and Dramamine offer ginger chews that pack a potent, spicy punch to combat nausea effectively.
Candied Ginger: For those who enjoy a more intense flavor, crystallized or candied ginger provides a strong, warm sensation that can quickly quell queasiness.
Ginger Hard Candies: Convenient and long-lasting, hard ginger candies allow you to get a steady dose of ginger's soothing properties over a longer period.

Peppermint: The cool, calming option

Peppermint is another classic remedy for digestive discomfort and has been used for centuries to soothe upset stomachs. The menthol in peppermint has a calming effect on the digestive muscles, helping to reduce spasms and feelings of nausea.

Peppermint Hard Candies: Simple peppermint sticks or hard candies are an excellent on-the-go choice. The crisp, cool flavor is refreshing and can help alleviate feelings of warmth and sickness.
Mints: Breath mints are a discreet way to get a quick burst of peppermint flavor and fragrance, which can also help calm the nervous system.

Citrus and sour flavors: The distracting taste

For some, sour and citrus flavors provide the most effective distraction from nausea. The strong, tangy taste can overpower the sick feeling and stimulate saliva production.

Lemon Drops: These are a popular choice for their intense, sour flavor. The citric acid can help neutralize excess stomach acid and settle digestion. Look for specially formulated queasy drops that often combine lemon and other soothing ingredients.
Sour Fruit Candies: Sweets with other sour fruit flavors, like sour raspberry or green apple, can also be effective. The shock of the sour taste provides a powerful mental diversion from the queasiness.

Comparison of motion sickness sweets


Sweet Type	Key Ingredient	Flavor Profile	Main Benefit	Best For	Potential Drawbacks
Ginger Chews	Ginger	Spicy, warm	Fast-acting, potent anti-nausea	Moderate to severe nausea	Strong flavor might not appeal to everyone
Peppermint Candies	Menthol	Cool, fresh	Calming, refreshing	Mild nausea, indigestion	May worsen acid reflux for some
Lemon Drops	Citric Acid	Sour, tangy	Distracting, saliva-inducing	Mild to moderate nausea	High sugar content in some brands
Barley Sugar Sweets	Glucose	Sweet, mild	Gentle energy boost	Mild nausea, low blood sugar	Less targeted anti-nausea action

Combining sweets with other motion sickness strategies

For the best results, it is wise to combine your choice of sweets with other preventative measures. It is recommended to eat small, frequent, and bland meals, avoiding spicy or greasy foods. Staying hydrated by sipping cold water or carbonated drinks is also crucial. When traveling, focusing on the horizon, getting fresh air, or even taking short breaks can significantly help reduce symptoms.

Nutritional considerations for motion sickness

While sweets can provide relief, they are not a substitute for proper nutrition. For those prone to motion sickness, focusing on a balanced diet rich in complex carbohydrates and low in fat can be beneficial. This helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and prevents an empty stomach, both of which can trigger nausea. Bananas, rice, and toast (the BRAT diet) are often recommended for those with upset stomachs, though sweets can provide an additional, flavorful tool for relief.

Conclusion: Finding your personal remedy

Determining what sweets are good for motion sickness often comes down to personal preference. For those who can tolerate a spicier flavor, ginger chews offer a clinically-backed, potent solution. If a cooling, fresh taste is more appealing, peppermint candies are a classic and calming choice. And for those who find sour flavors to be the perfect distraction, lemon drops or other sour fruit candies are an excellent option. By combining these simple, sweet remedies with other practical strategies, you can minimize the discomfort of motion sickness and enjoy your journey more fully.

For further information on nutrition and motion sickness management, consult resources from reputable health institutions like the Mayo Clinic.

Key takeaways

Ginger is a powerful anti-nausea agent: Ginger chews and candied ginger are clinically tested options for alleviating motion sickness.
Peppermint offers a calming effect: Peppermint candies and mints can soothe digestive muscles and reduce nausea symptoms.
Sour flavors provide a strong distraction: Lemon drops and sour fruit candies can redirect your brain's focus away from queasiness.
Avoid an empty stomach: Eating small, bland snacks and sipping water can prevent or lessen nausea during travel.
Combine remedies for best results: Using sweets in conjunction with other strategies like fresh air and focusing on the horizon can maximize relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ginger chews help with motion sickness because ginger contains compounds that can calm the stomach, reduce nausea, and speed up gastric emptying. Many brands offer chews with a clinically tested dose of ginger for effective, non-drowsy relief.

While any peppermint candy can offer a mild distraction, those with stronger, natural peppermint oil are often more effective. The menthol helps relax the muscles in your digestive tract. However, if your nausea is caused by acid reflux, peppermint might exacerbate the issue.

Lemon drops can be genuinely effective due to a combination of physiological and psychological factors. The strong, sour flavor provides a powerful distraction from the nauseous feeling, while the citric acid can help neutralize stomach acid. Increased saliva production from sucking on the candy also helps.

The main difference is texture and longevity. Hard candies dissolve slowly, providing a steady, gentle release of flavor and soothing ingredients over time. Chews, like ginger chews, often deliver a more potent burst of flavor and active ingredient more quickly. The best choice depends on personal preference and how quickly you need relief.

Many of the same sweets, particularly ginger chews and lemon drops, are also used to help with morning sickness in pregnant women. Some specialized products, like Queasy Drops and Preggie Pops, are even formulated with Vitamin B6 specifically for pregnancy-related nausea. Always consult your doctor before trying new remedies during pregnancy.

It is best to follow the dosage instructions on the package of any specialized anti-nausea candies. For general sweets like lemon drops, you can eat them as needed to manage symptoms. However, be mindful of sugar intake, and if nausea persists, consult a healthcare provider.

Yes, many brands offer sugar-free versions of anti-nausea candies, such as Queasy Drops. These are a good alternative for people who need to monitor their sugar intake, like those with diabetes. Check the packaging to confirm they are sugar-free.