Is Ginger Ale Good for Nausea?

Partly: ginger ale may help nausea if it contains real ginger, whose compounds may influence nausea-related digestive signaling, but the drink’s benefit is unproven. There are no clinical studies of ginger ale for nausea in the evidence reviewed here. If you want to try it, take small sips and seek medical care if you cannot keep fluids down or have other concerning symptoms.

Is ginger ale a good choice for nausea?

Ginger ale is an option if its taste is appealing and you can tolerate it, but it is not a reliable nausea treatment. Some people find a cool or less fizzy drink easier to sip; others find carbonation or sweetness uncomfortable.

The amount of actual ginger varies between products and may be unclear from the label. For food options when you feel unwell, see the best foods for nausea.

How might ginger ale help with nausea?

Ginger contains compounds that may interact with digestive and nausea-related signaling. But a drink with ginger flavor is not necessarily a meaningful source of those compounds, and it is not known how much would be needed in ginger ale to affect nausea.

Ginger ale can also provide fluid. If you have been vomiting, taking fluids can help replace some of what you have lost, although hydration alone does not address every cause of nausea. Ginger ale is not the best choice for replacing substantial fluid and electrolyte losses.

Check the ingredient list if you are looking for real ginger. A product that lists ginger or ginger extract contains a ginger ingredient, but that does not establish that it has enough to relieve nausea. The word “ginger” on the front of a package, or a reference to ginger flavor, does not necessarily tell you how much real ginger is present.

What does the evidence say about ginger ale?

We found no clinical studies of ginger ale for nausea. That means there is no direct evidence here that ginger ale works, which products might work, or how much someone would need to drink.

Research on a ginger ingredient would not automatically answer those questions. Ginger preparations can differ from ginger ale in their ingredients and concentrations, and findings about an extract or supplement cannot simply be applied to a soft drink.

Personal reports that ginger ale feels soothing do not establish that ginger caused the improvement. Nausea can change over time, and factors such as resting or taking fluids may also affect how a person feels. Ginger ale should be regarded as an optional comfort drink, not a proven remedy.

How should you use ginger ale when nauseated?

If you want to try ginger ale and can drink safely, use an amount that feels comfortable rather than treating it as a measured dose:

1. Choose a product by checking the ingredient list for ginger or ginger extract if that matters to you.
2. Pour a small amount into a glass. Let it lose some fizz first if carbonation bothers you.
3. Take small sips instead of drinking a large amount at once. Try it cool or at room temperature, according to your preference.
4. Stop if it makes you feel worse. There is no need to force yourself to finish it.

Regular ginger ale can contain added sugar, so check the nutrition label if sugar intake matters to you. Sugar-free ginger ale is an alternative for some people, but it has not been shown to relieve nausea reliably either.

If vomiting or diarrhea is causing fluid loss, an oral rehydration solution is generally a better option for replacing both fluids and electrolytes, especially for children. See the best drinks for nausea for more options.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

People with diabetes may need to account for the carbohydrate in regular ginger ale. If you have kidney disease or have been advised to limit fluids, ask your clinician how to manage drinking while nauseated. People taking blood thinners should check with a clinician before using concentrated ginger products; the ginger content of ginger ale varies.

During pregnancy, contact your maternity care team if nausea or vomiting makes it hard to eat or drink. For infants and children, ask a pediatric clinician about vomiting and appropriate fluids rather than relying on ginger ale. People receiving cancer treatment or taking medicines that cause nausea should discuss symptoms with their care team and should not stop prescribed medication without advice.

Get urgent medical help for vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, green vomit, severe abdominal pain, confusion, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine. Seek prompt care if you cannot keep fluids down. Contact a clinician if nausea persists, keeps returning, or interferes with eating and drinking.