Does ginger ale help with nausea?

Ginger Ale's Effectiveness for Nausea

Ginger ale is not specifically recommended for nausea management as it typically contains minimal real ginger, though pure ginger in doses of 0.5-1.0g daily has shown effectiveness for reducing nausea severity in certain conditions. 1

Evidence for Ginger (Not Ginger Ale)

Effectiveness of Real Ginger

• Ginger in its pure form (0.5-1.0g daily) has demonstrated effectiveness for:

  • Chemotherapy-induced nausea (particularly acute phase) 2
  • Pregnancy-related nausea 1, 3
  • Motion sickness 4

• The American Society of Clinical Oncology recognizes ginger as the most evidence-supported supplement for reducing certain types of nausea 1

• Lower doses (0.5-1.0g) appear more effective than higher doses (1.5g) for chemotherapy-induced nausea 2, 1

Mechanism of Action

• Ginger likely works through 5-HT3 receptor antagonism, similar to some prescription anti-nausea medications 2, 5
• Ginger extracts and its pungent constituents inhibit activation of human 5-HT3 receptors in a concentration-dependent manner 2

Why Ginger Ale Is Not Recommended

• Commercial ginger ales typically contain minimal actual ginger and high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners
• No clinical guidelines specifically recommend ginger ale for nausea management
• The American Cancer Society notes that while ginger has some anti-nausea properties, the taste and aroma of ginger-containing beverages may only have a calming effect for some people 2

Important Considerations and Cautions

• Ginger may slow blood clotting, creating potential drug interactions with anticoagulants/antiplatelet medications 2, 1
• Evidence regarding ginger's anti-emetic effects remains conflicting in some contexts, particularly for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting 2, 6
• The American Society of Clinical Oncology states that evidence remains insufficient for a definitive recommendation for or against ginger for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients 2

Practical Recommendations

• For those seeking nausea relief, pure ginger supplements (0.5-1.0g daily in divided doses) would be more effective than commercial ginger ale 1
• Ginger can be taken as capsules, powder, or syrup mixed with water 1
• For mild to moderate nausea, starting ginger 1-3 days before anticipated nausea (when possible) may improve effectiveness 1
• For severe or persistent nausea, conventional anti-emetics should be used rather than relying solely on ginger or ginger ale 1