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Published on: 7/14/2026

How effective is ginger ale in alleviating nausea during pregnancy, and are there any risks?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Ginger is a well-known natural remedy for reducing nausea during pregnancy, thanks to compounds called gingerols and shogaols that help calm the stomach. However, ginger ale is often not an effective substitute because most commercial brands contain little to no real ginger—relying instead on artificial flavoring and added sugars, which may actually worsen nausea. For genuine relief, pregnant individuals are better off choosing fresh ginger, ginger tea, ginger chews, or supplements approved by their healthcare provider.

Because nausea during pregnancy can range from mild morning sickness to more serious conditions like hyperemesis gravidarum, it's important to understand what your symptoms may mean. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insight into what could be causing your discomfort and clear guidance on the best next steps to take.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Important Next Steps

Learn if ginger ale is safe for nauseaDiscover what’s causing your pregnancy nauseaSee if your nausea needs medical careFind OTC relief for nausea todayFind a doctor for pregnancy nauseaDiscover medically valid home remedies for nauseaUnderstand if ginger ale signals a serious issue

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Explanation

Ginger has been used for a long time to help with nausea and vomiting. Some studies suggest that ginger can be helpful for pregnant women who feel nauseous. However, ginger ale might not work as well because it usually contains only a small amount of real ginger, and sometimes it has none at all.

What Ginger Does

  • Ginger is known to help with nausea because it can soothe the stomach.

Risks and Considerations

  • Drinking a lot of ginger ale might not be good because it often has a lot of sugar, which isn't healthy if you drink too much.
  • If you are pregnant and experiencing persistent nausea or other concerning symptoms, you can check your symptoms to better understand what might be causing your discomfort and determine if you should speak with your doctor.

In summary, while ginger itself might help reduce nausea, ginger ale might not be the best choice because it doesn't always have enough ginger to be effective.

(References)

  • Marx W, Kiss N, & Isenring L. (2015). Is ginger beneficial for nausea and vomiting? An update .... Current opinion in supportive and palliative care, 25872115.

  • Ernst E, & Pittler MH. (2000). Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic .... British journal of anaesthesia, 10793599.

  • Langner E, Greifenberg S, & Gruenwald J. (1998). Ginger: history and use. Advances in therapy, 10178636.

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