Does Ginger Ale Help With Nausea and Vomiting?

Medically Reviewed on 9/1/2022
Ginger Ale
Some people advise sipping warm or cold ginger ale to settle an unsettled stomach.

Nausea is characterized by an unpleasant feeling in the upper abdomen and throat that may precede or cause vomiting.

According to some research, eating fresh ginger may help people feel less nauseous when they have stomach flu, migraines, chemotherapy, or morning sickness. Possibly, gingerols and shogaols (essential oils in ginger) are responsible for this effect.

The primary ingredients giving ginger rhizomes their distinctive flavor are gingerols, which are present in both fresh and dried ginger and have a host of health benefits.

What is ginger ale?

Ginger ale is a traditional soft drink that combines the health benefits of ginger root with the sweetness and carbonation of soda.

In olden times, ginger ale was prepared at home by allowing the fermentation of ginger in boiled and cooled water and the addition of honey. This was healthier although it was associated with a risk of food poisoning (due to fungal growth in the ale) or botulism toxin in honey.

Although ginger is a well-known antiemetic and nausea reliever, modern versions of ginger ales sometimes substitute artificial ginger flavorings and sweeteners for the real herb, which does more harm than good. Compare the components of the many varieties of ginger ale for the greatest effects and pick an all-natural brand that contains ginger root.

Ginger root vs ginger ale

According to studies, ginger root effectively reduces nausea and vomiting. Additionally, ginger possesses actions that include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiulcer. 

However, the greatest approach to getting ginger in your system may not be to grab the fizzy beverage due to the following reasons:

  • Ginger in ginger ale might not be real ginger. It might contain artificial flavorings.
  • If it does include actual ginger, there might not be enough of it to provide notable relief.
  • Most ginger ales sold under commercial brands include at least 10 tablespoons of sugar. Carbonation and sugar may exacerbate bloating, gas, or indigestion in some people. Because our bodies might not absorb artificial sugars, even dieting on ginger ale can be dangerous.

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Can ginger ale help with nausea and vomiting?

Some people advise sipping warm or cold ginger ale to settle an unsettled stomach. It appears that there may be some validity to the claim that ginger ale is beneficial for symptoms of nausea, stomachache, and stomach flu.

  • According to a review of the Nutrition Journal from March 2014, it can considerably reduce nausea, especially morning sickness while you're pregnant.
  • According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking ginger ale after vomiting can be beneficial because it can hydrate you if you're feeling queasy.
  • Similarly, a study published in Integrative Medicine Insights in March 2016 reported that ginger is a potent (and affordable) strategy to aid in the prevention of nausea and/or vomiting, particularly if the cause is pregnancy or chemotherapy.
  • However, given that these studies only examined the root and not ginger ale, it is perhaps wiser to stay with the organic component.
  • As per Lehigh University, it’s important to note that flat ginger ale is preferable to carbonated ginger ale for upset stomachs because the bubbles (soda) in carbonated ginger ale might aggravate digestive problems. According to the Mayo Clinic, warming ginger ale in a room at or warm temperature may be more calming when you're unwell.
  • However, if your child is sick, it might be advisable to pass on this drink because ginger ale is unlikely to be of much benefit to a toddler or young child who has stomach flu.
  • Experts advise against giving ginger ale to toddlers who have gastrointestinal symptoms because it may make symptoms such as diarrhea worse. Instead, stick to water or children's oral electrolyte solutions.
Medically Reviewed on 9/1/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nausea/resources/sym-20050736?p=1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3995184/

https://studentaffairs.lehigh.edu/content/gastroenteritis-advice-0

https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/northern-california/gsaa/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2015/11/Vomiting-and-Diarrhea-in-Children_tcm28-195306.pdf