Ginger ale is a popular soda that’s made with ginger. Ginger ale is a popular beverage that can be enjoyed as an everyday drink.

Ginger ale is a well-known beverage that has been around for many years. You may wonder if ginger ale is good for you.

This article will explain the advantages and disadvantages of ginger ale and the various styles available.

What is ginger ale?

Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage that has ginger flavor. It is usually consumed as a carbonated beverage, but it can also be used in mixed drinks.

Most commercial ginger ale is classified as soda by manufacturers. Ginger ale combines carbonated water with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and natural or artificial ginger flavoring.

Ginger ale can contain preservatives like sodium benzoate and citric acid and caramel color.

Brands may add additional ingredients to their “natural flavoring” blends. These proprietary blends are kept secret by the companies.

You can also find a traditional ginger ale in some stores or online. This ginger ale is made using either yeast or ginger bug starter cultures.

Ginger bug is similar in appearance to the SCOBY (or starter culture) used to make sourdough or kombucha. It can be made from fresh ginger root or the ginger beer plant. It ferments and naturally produces carbonation.

Traditional ginger ale is more likely to be made with natural ingredients such as fresh ginger root and cane sugar. It also doesn’t contain artificial colors.

SUMMARY

Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage that’s made from ginger root and sweetener. Most commercial ginger ales are made with high fructose corn syrup or artificial coloring. Traditional ginger ale, however, is fermented and contains more natural ingredients.

Ginger ale types

Ginger ale is available in many varieties.

These are some of the most well-known ginger ale types:

  • Regular. This includes sodas as well as the traditional ginger ales mentioned above. They are made with ginger, sugar, or high fructose corn syrup and have carbonation. Depending on the brand, they may contain other ingredients.
  • Dry. “Dry,” seems to be a term that brands use to describe ginger ales with a stronger, “drier” flavor. This is due to the way in which manufacturers source and process ginger root.
  • Diet. This ginger ale uses artificial sweeteners or calorie-free sweeteners instead of sugar.

Your personal preference and ingredients will determine the best ginger ale for you.

SUMMARY

You can also find diet ginger ale (which is free of calorie sweeteners) and dry ginger ale. Dry is a term used to describe a stronger ginger flavor.

Benefits

Ginger ale is not a healthy food but it can offer some benefits if it contains ginger root.

Ginger root is the underground stem from the ginger plant. It is a well-known medicinal and health resource, particularly for the digestive system.

Dried ginger root powder is used as a spice in cooking. It is also used as the main flavoring ingredient in ginger ale.

According to studies, these health benefits have been shown to be possible in ginger. However, these effects only apply to ginger and not ginger ale.

May help reduce nausea

Ginger may be used to relieve nausea and upset stomach caused by stomach flu, severe migraines, chemotherapy or morning sickness during pregnancy.

This could be partially due to the natural compounds in ginger, such as gingerols or shogaols.

However, studies on ginger extract’s effects on nausea in large doses and not ginger ale.

May have antioxidant properties

Ginger oil is rich in antioxidants. These compounds protect cells from potential damage that could lead to diseases. The antioxidant content of ginger oil decreases as it is processed.

May help treat migraines

A study showed that a 250 mg dose of ginger powder supplements for migraine relief was as effective as prescription drugs. A second study showed that ginger under the tongue is equally effective.

May help reduce inflammation

The compounds in ginger may have anti-inflammatory properties on the brain, and joints.

May support heart health

High blood pressure can be reduced with ginger, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease.

Naturally, caffeine-free

Ginger ale is naturally non-caffeinated, making it an excellent alternative to cola and other caffeinated drinks.

Ginger vs. ginger ale

Ginger is the main ingredient in most of these health benefits, not ginger ale.

Ginger ale is not a healthy food despite its health benefits.

Ginger ale should be consumed in moderation to maintain a healthy diet. Many commercial ginger ale drinks use artificial ginger flavoring. These drinks also contain little ginger and lots of sugar.

SUMMARY

Ginger might have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger may help reduce nausea and headaches and provide benefits for your heart health. Many ginger ales are made with a lot sugar and little ginger.

Potential side effects

Ginger ale can generally be consumed in moderation by most people. You might want to be aware of the potential side effects.

Gassiness

Ginger ale can cause gassiness, bloating, burping and bloating. These effects are caused by carbonation, which is common in any carbonated beverage.

Artificial sweeteners in Diet ginger ale may come in the form sugar alcohols. Consuming large quantities of these calorie-free sweeteners can lead to bloating and diarrhea.

Added sugar can have adverse effects on your health

Adding sugar to ginger ale is considered the worst thing.

Numerous studies have shown that excessive sugar intake can lead to obesity and chronic diseases.

Research has shown that sugar-sweetened drinks such as soda have a higher intake of calories and more visceral fats than those who don’t.

Research also suggests that sugar intake may be linked to obesity, diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

These are not harmful effects of sugars found in fruits and dairy products.

For a diet of 2,000 calories, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that you keep your sugar intake below 200 calories per day.

A single 12-ounce, 360-mL can of ginger ale could contain 36 grams of sugar. This is 72% of Daily Value (DV), based on a 2000-calorie diet.

Many names may refer to added sugars, such as honey, organic cane sugar, or agave nectar.

You can reduce your sugar intake by reading ingredient lists and drinking sugar-sweetened ginger ale in moderation.

Non-nutritive and artificial sweeteners

Recent reviews have suggested that non-nutritive sweeteners could cause metabolic problems. One study suggests that they can alter the balance of beneficial bacteria in healthy individuals, leading to metabolic changes leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

One observational study showed that people who drank diet soft drinks were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than those who drank sugar-sweetened soft drinks or no soft drinks.

Diet drinkers also had larger waist circumferences, and higher fasting sugar levels.

However, researchers have pointed out that non-nutritive sweeteners can still affect gut bacteria and metabolism. Scientists need to continue investigating these issues.

Potential culprits could be the nonnutritive sweeteners Ace-K, aspartame (Neotame), saccharin and sucralose. The FDA has approved these sweeteners for use in food products in the United States. You may also find them in diet ginger ale.

A recent review of 56 studies examined non-nutritive sweeteners’ effects on health outcomes. Researchers found no differences in health outcomes for people who ate nonnutritive sweeteners compared to those who did not.

However, the researchers said that not all of the studies they had reviewed were of high quality. Scientists should do more research into the health effects of non-nutritive sweeteners.

You can see that the evidence on non-nutritive sweeteners’ health effects is mixed.

Side effects of aspartame in diet ginger ale may be present, but the research is mixed. Scientists need to continue to research its potential effects.

2017 research on aspartame safety suggested that it could affect cellular processes to cause inflammation. The majority of the reviewed research was done in animals.

A 2018 review also found that aspartame can cause headaches, insomnia, or other problems with thinking and behavior in those who are sensitive.

Researchers said that there wasn’t enough evidence to support the safety of aspartame consumption and that more research was needed.

Possible interactions with blood thinners

One study suggested that eating a lot of ginger over a long time could increase your risk of bleeding. Consuming large quantities of ginger could cause bleeding problems if you are taking blood-thinning medication.

Ginger ale can be enjoyed in moderation and is low-risk for most people. It can also be a healthy addition to a healthy diet.

SUMMARY

Most people are safe to drink ginger ale in moderation. However, regular ginger ale and diet versions may contain artificial sweeteners or added sugar that could have adverse health effects. Blood thinners may also be affected by large amounts of ginger.

How to choose a ginger ale that is healthier

Ginger ale is a very popular soda so you will likely find many options at your local grocery store.

You can find a healthier ginger ale by reading the ingredients and the nutrition facts panel at the bottom of the bottle or can.

No matter which ginger ale you select, it will have either non-nutritive sweeteners or added sweetness. Many ginger ales have a lot of sugar, but very little ginger.

Ginger ales may be sweetened with high fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). This sugar is metabolized differently to cane sugar. HFCS has been linked to increased liver fat production, reduced blood fat levels, and dangerous belly fat.

Although no added sugar can be considered a healthy food, it is best to avoid foods and drinks high in HFCS. If consumed in moderation, other forms of sugar can still be part of a healthy diet.

You may also want to avoid ginger ale with artificial coloring. This can be checked by checking the ingredient list.

SUMMARY

Look for ginger ale that does not use high fructose corn sugar as its main sweetener, and does not contain artificial coloring. Although ginger ale is not considered a healthy food, it can be helpful to review the ingredients list.

The bottom line

Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage that contains ginger root and a sweetener, such as sugar, high fructose corn sirup, or a low-calorie sweetener.

Commercial ginger ales often contain very little ginger and lots of sugar. However, some traditional ginger ales are made with real fermented ginger root.

Ginger can provide benefits for your heart, nausea, and brain health. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Ginger ale with more ginger might be healthier for you.

Ginger ale can cause gassiness because of its carbonation. Consuming large quantities of ginger ale can increase your risk for developing chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Phenylketonuria patients should not eat diets containing artificial sweetener, phenylalanine.

Consuming ginger in large quantities may also cause blood-thinning medication to fail.

By reading the ingredients label and selecting a low-sugar or diet option, you can easily find healthier options.