Ginger ale is a popular remedy for motion sickness, but it’s also delicious when consumed regularly. Soda with ginger, known as ginger ale, is a popular beverage. Given its extensive history, you might be curious about its health benefits. Carbonated ginger ale is a popular soft drink with a spicy ginger flavor. Most people drink it straight up, but it’s also a common ingredient in various cocktails. Most manufactured ginger ale is actually a soda, according to the creators. To produce it, water with carbonation, sugar, and either natural or artificial ginger flavor are combined. Preservatives including citric acid and sodium benzoate, as well as caramel color, are common in ginger ale. Various manufacturers use additional components in their “natural flavoring.” Companies don’t want their competitors to know about their secret ingredient combinations, therefore they keep them under wraps.
Classic ginger ale, on the other hand, can be found at some retail locations and on the Internet. Yeast is used as a microbiological starter culture to create this type. Like the SCOBY in sourdough bread or kombucha, the ginger bug is a starting culture. It can be made with either fresh ginger root or ginger beer plant. Natural carbonation is created during the fermentation process by the growth of beneficial bacteria and yeasts. Pure sugar, the fresh root of ginger, and water are typical ingredients in this style of ginger ale. Carbonated ginger ale is a soft drink flavored with ginger and sugar. Traditional ginger ale, in contrast to the commercial kind that typically contains high fructose corn syrup and artificial coloring, is fermented and typically has more natural elements.
The good and bad points of consuming it are discussed in this article.
What are the health advantages of Ginger Ale?
While ginger ale isn’t technically a healthy food, the addition of fresh ginger root may provide some health benefits. The main stem of the ginger plant is called the ginger root. It has been used medicinally and for health purposes for a very long time, particularly for gastrointestinal issues. Dried ginger root is available for purchase as a powdered cooking spice. But it’s also what gives ginger ale its distinctive taste. The following medical advantages of ginger have been suggested by research, however, they apply more broadly to ginger than to ginger ale.
Following are the health advantages of ginger ale
Possible anti-nausea effect
Ginger can be consumed to assist ease nausea and indigestion caused by conditions such as the stomach flu, severe headaches, chemotherapy, or morning sickness associated with pregnancy. This could be at least partially attributed to the natural molecules that are present in ginger, such as gingerols and shogaols. On the other hand, the majority of research into the benefits of ginger on nausea has been conducted using very high dosages of ginger extract, not ginger ale.
Possibility of anti-oxidant benefits
Antioxidants are substances that safeguard cells from the destruction that can lead to illness. Ginger oil is an organic supplier of antioxidants. But the processing can reduce the number of antioxidants it contains.
A possible remedy for migraines
According to the findings of a single investigation, a single serving of ginger powder extract containing 250 milligrams was just as beneficial as a pharmaceutical medicine in lowering the severity of symptoms associated with migraines. A different investigation discovered that putting ginger beneath one’s tongue had the same beneficial impact.
Potential anti-inflammatory effect
Ginger is rich in chemicals that have been hypothesized to have anti-inflammatory effects, particularly on the nervous system and bones.
May be beneficial for cardiovascular health
There is some evidence that ginger can help reduce hypertension, which is an indicator of risk for cardiovascular disease as well as stroke.
Caffeine-free by design
Because it does not contain any caffeine, ginger ale is often considered to be a healthy replacement for beverages such as cola and other drinks that include caffeine.
What are the side effects of Ginger ale?
Drinking ginger ale in moderation does not pose any health risks for the vast majority of people. You should read labels carefully and reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened ginger ale to stay within the daily maximum. Inflammation can result from aspartame affecting multiple biological processes, according to a 2017 study of the sweetener’s safety. The majority of the studies used in the analysis, however, were conducted on animals. Another analysis published in 2018 found that aspartame sensitivity can lead to headaches, sleeplessness, and other cognitive and behavioral problems.
Many of the studies analyzed, however, were of lesser quality, according to the researchers. They advocated for more studies to be conducted on the effects of nonnutritive sweeteners on human health. The studies on the impact of nonnutritive sweeteners on health are contradictory, as you can see. It contains a number of nonnutritive sweeteners, including aspartame, which has been linked to a number of possible negative effects; however, research results have been mixed, and additional study is needed. The effects of artificial sweeteners were the subject of 56 studies that were recently reviewed. Nonnutritive sweetener consumption was not associated with any negative health effects, according to the study’s authors.
However, they also noted that more research was needed to determine whether or not aspartame consumption was safe. On the other hand, you might want to keep in mind the possible adverse effects that are listed below.
Following are the side effects of ginger ale
Gassiness
It’s possible that drinking ginger ale will make you feel bloated, burp more frequently, and have more gas overall. These effects are caused by carbonation, and they are typical of any beverage that contains carbonation. Sugar substitutes, which can come in the form of sugar alcohols, are typically present in diet varieties of ginger ale. Particularly if you take a big quantity of them, these sugar substitutes without calories have the potential to give you diarrhea and bloating.
Impact of refined sugar on human health
The majority of people believe that the added sugar in ginger ale is the worst part of it. Studies have linked excessive consumption of added sugar to health issues like obesity and long-term illnesses. Regular buyers of sugary beverages, such as soda, were shown to have higher body mass indexes. Too much sugar in the diet has been linked to numerous health problems, including tooth decay, coronary artery disease, being overweight, and diabetes type 2. It’s worth noting that the sugars included in meals like fruits and dairy don’t have the same negative consequences as sugar added artificially. For a daily calorie intake of 2,000, studies recommend limiting added sugar to less than 200 calories. Assuming a daily caloric intake of 2,000 calories, a single 12-ounce (360 mL) can of ginger ale has as much as 36 grams of added sugar.
Substitutes for sugar that aren’t natural
Nonnutritive sweeteners have been linked to metabolic problems in two recent evaluations. Metabolic alterations that can lead to type 2 diabetes and obesity are brought on by these, according to one review, since they disrupt the equilibrium of good gut bacteria in individuals who are healthy. A single investigation indicated that compared to those who drank sugary soft drinks or none at all, those who drank diet soft drinks had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Diet soda drinkers were also more likely to be overweight and have greater overnight glucose levels. Investigators, however, have highlighted that there is still debate on how nonnutritive sweeteners affect gut microbes and metabolism. Artificial sweeteners that don’t contribute any nutrients to the body could be to blame. All of these are legal in the United States for human consumption, therefore diet ginger ale may contain them.
Interactions with blood-thinning medications
According to the findings of one study, there may be a link between taking a lot of ginger over a lengthy period of time. Aside from that, ginger ale is a beverage that has a low danger for the typical individual when eaten in moderation and is able to be incorporated into a normal healthy diet.
What are the tips for picking a nutritious ginger ale?
Because ginger ale is such a common type of soda, it is highly likely that a very large selection of it will be available at the supermarket. If you’re looking for a ginger ale that’s easier on your body, it’s a good idea to begin your search by examining the nutrition information. No matter whatever variety of ginger ale you select, it will have either an additional sweetness or an artificial sweetener that does not contribute any nutrients. The amount of ginger that is naturally occurring in many varieties of ginger ale is negligible. Cane sugar is metabolized in a somewhat different way by the body as compared to the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The formation of fat in the liver, changes in blood fat levels, and dangerous abdominal fat are all significantly linked to the consumption of HFCS.
Although there is no such thing as a healthy form of added sugar, it is especially important to avoid consuming foods and drinks that contain high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Consuming other sources of sugar, if they are done so in moderation, is compatible with maintaining a healthy diet. You should also select a ginger ale that does not contain a large number of other components, such as artificial coloring if this is something you care about. Examining the list of ingredients is the best way to verify this information. Find a ginger ale that doesn’t utilize high fructose corn syrup as the primary sweetener. Although ginger ale is not considered a healthy food, knowing what goes into making it might help you make decisions.
The Bottom Line
To create ginger ale, ginger root is combined with a sweetener like sugar, or a low-calorie sweetener to create a carbonated beverage. Some traditional forms of ginger ale use real fermented ginger root. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities of ginger may also help with cardiovascular wellness, pain in the head, and vertigo. As a result, it’s possible that the medical advantages of ginger ale improve with increased ginger content. But the carbonation in ginger ale may exacerbate flatulence in some people. If ingested in high quantities, the additional sugar it may contain is associated with an elevated risk of long-term illness.
Diet versions containing phenylalanine, an artificial sweetener, should be avoided by those with phenylketonuria. In addition, taking blood-thinning drugs alongside regular, large doses of ginger could be dangerous. You can make a better choice by paying attention to the label, opting for a low-sugar or diet kind, and considering your personal tastes and health needs.
Sirisha B