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The consumption of caffeine-free beverage ginger ale during pregnancy can relieve you of your morning sickness and nausea. In addition, this drink containing ginger may prevent digestive problems commonly experienced by pregnant women.
If you are craving a refreshing drink while pregnant, you can enjoy this in a moderate quantity. The beverage may tingle your taste buds but also provide you with good health benefits.
Scroll through to know about ginger ale, including its benefits for pregnant women and a recipe for an easy homemade ginger ale.
Key Pointers
- Ginger ale is a soft drink made with sugar, carbonated water, ginger flavor, and occasionally pineapple and honey.
- Ginger provides health benefits like improved immunity and digestion, reduces gastrointestinal problems, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
- Ginger ale is safe for pregnant women in moderation since it does not contain caffeine.
- Drinking ginger ale during pregnancy can also regulate blood sugar levels and prevent indigestion and motion sickness.
- Ginger ale has anti-inflammatory effects that can help avoid miscarriage and benefit the mother and the baby.
What Is Ginger Ale?
Ginger ale is a popular non-alcoholic beverage made with carbonated water, sugar, and ginger or ginger flavor. The use of ginger gives a natural flavor and aroma to the drink. Pineapple and honey may also be additional ingredients in ginger ale. In addition, it may contain yeast, which helps in its carbonation through natural fermentation. It makes ginger ale a safer and healthier alternative to carbonated drinks.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Ginger?
Ginger is used in various herbal remedies to boost health. Let us check out the nutritional benefits of ginger below (1):
- It helps keep gastrointestinal issues at bay and works as a popular digestive aid. According to the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ginger is among the effective non-pharmaceutical natural remedies for vomiting and nausea (2).
A mom from Nigeria, who used ginger ale during pregnancy, shares her experience, “The better part of today had me feeling nauseated, and drinking the ginger ale sure made me feel a whole lot better. I felt good afterward (i).”
- It can reduce fever and alleviate muscle or joint pains (3).
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- A comprehensive analysis of multiple studies shows that when consumed in certain amounts regularly, ginger can help reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Ginger contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce symptoms of certain inflammatory conditions.
- It can help improve digestion and reduce bloating after a meal.
- Ginger is rich in antioxidants, which may prevent certain cancers.
- It can improve the functioning of the immune system, protecting the body from diseases.
Adding ginger ale to your diet may help manage these pregnancy symptoms effectively. However, while ginger ale has ample benefits for pregnant women’s health, consult your gynecologist before consumption, as it should not be considered a holistic medicine to treat or cure ailments.
Is It Safe To Drink Ginger Ale During Pregnancy?
Ginger ale is a caffeine-free drink, so it is mostly alright to sip on some while you are pregnant
(4). According to the American Family Physician, ginger has some antiemetic effects, with no indication of negative impact on fetal development. These happen at the same level as your central nervous system and gastrointestinal system.
While you are pregnant, you should drink ginger ale that contains ginger. It should contain approximately 3/4th cup of ginger in a mixture of two quart. Choose ginger ale that contains natural ginger and have low sugar, and always check the label to make sure you’re picking a quality product.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Ginger Ale During Pregnancy?
Drinking ginger ale does have certain benefits:
- It prevents indigestion.
- Ginger ale also prevents motion sickness.
- It is a home remedy for sore throats or coughs.
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- Chau Che of New York University says that ginger ale is an effective remedy to reduce nausea that is common during pregnancy. According to him, ginger is as effective as vitamin B6.
- Ginger ale regulates your blood sugar levels. When you are pregnant, you may experience a drop in your sugar levels. Taking small sips of ginger ale can help fight low sugar level-induced morning sickness during pregnancy, improving maternal health.
- As per the USDA National Nutrient Database, there are traces of iron, calcium, and sodium in ginger ale (5).
- Ginger ale has anti-inflammatory properties good for the mother and the fetus. These properties may also prevent miscarriage. However, exercise caution while consuming it as it cannot be used as an alternative medicine to treat or cure a condition or illness.
As outlined above, ginger ale has numerous benefits. However, consult a nutritionist before consumption and attempt to make healthful choices for your safety and optimum prenatal care.
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Point to considerNutritional Facts of Ginger Ale
Below, we have listed some major nutrients found in one can or bottle of carbonated ginger ale (12 fl oz) (5):
| Energy | 124kcal |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 32.1g |
| Glucose | 11.3g |
| Calcium, Ca | 11mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 3.66mg |
| Sodium, Na | 256mg |
| Potassium, K | 3.66mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.659mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.183 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.066 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.048 mg |
Side Effects Of Ginger Ale
Having ginger ale in limited quantities during pregnancy is considered safe. However, overconsumption of ginger ale may have some side effects. Moreover, studies show that consuming too much of ginger can cause some discomfort, including (6):
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal reflux
- Low blood pressure
If you experience any of the mentioned side effects after consuming ginger ale, contact your healthcare provider for prompt intervention.
How To Make Ginger Ale At Home?
In case you want to sip on some ginger ale but do not want to have a commercial one, here is how you can make it at home:
You Will Need:
- A cup of sugar, approximately 225 gm
- Ginger root in freshly grated form, approximately 30 gm
- Lime juice or grapefruit juice (if you do not like lemon)
- Some fresh granular active baker’s yeast, approximately 1.6 gm
- Some regular cold water
How To:
- Use a funnel to pour a cup of sugar in a bottle. Leave it aside.
- Now take 1/4th teaspoon of the fresh granular active baker’s yeast and add it to the bottle through the same funnel. Shake the bottle properly so that the sugar granules and the yeast mix up completely.
- In a measuring bowl, add the ginger root and the lemon or grapefruit juice. Mix the two and add it to the bottle.
- Pour a little cold water into the bottle. Close its lid and shake well. It will activate the yeast and kickstart carbonation.
- As the fizz settles down, open the cap and fill the bottle with cool water till it’s 3/4th Close the lid again and shake well.
- Place this bottle in a warm place for about 48 hours to help the yeast ferment. After this time, refrigerate it overnight and remember to open the lid slowly when you want to sip.
If you do not like the sour and citrus taste of ginger ale, a healthier alternative to have is ginger tea during pregnancy. Moreover, one may even contemplate consuming ginger pills, which are nothing but ginger supplements, also categorized as herbal supplements. However, these supplements may contain unwanted ingredients which may harm your health. Hence, exercise caution before consumption and always try to have homemade ginger ale.
Quick tipFrequently Asked Questions
1. Can I drink Schweppes ginger ale during pregnancy?
Schweppes ginger ale can be safely consumed in moderation during pregnancy since it is a non-carbonated soda. Further, ginger ale soda may help relieve vomiting and nausea during pregnancy (4).
2. Does Canada dry ginger ale help nausea?
While ginger can effectively help relieve nausea and vomiting, ginger ale usually contains insignificant amounts of ginger to offer relief. Further, it should not be the preferred remedy for nausea during pregnancy due to its high sugar content (7).
3. How much ginger is safe during pregnancy?
According to several studies, consuming one-gram ginger daily during pregnancy can relieve nausea and vomiting without health risks. However, you should also ensure the ginger is of good quality (8).
4. Does ginger ale help with heartburn during pregnancy?
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve heartburn and digestive issues in pregnancy (9). But, ginger ale generally contains little to no natural ginger and may not show the same effect (7).
5. Does ginger cause miscarriage in early pregnancy?
You can safely consume ginger in small amounts, such as one gram per day during pregnancy. However, consuming ginger in large or concentrated amounts is not advisable (8).
Ginger ale during pregnancy is a safe beverage that can provide hydration and help prevent indigestion, motion sickness, and nausea. According to experts, regular intake of ginger reduces morning sickness, alleviates pain, reduces inflammation, and provides many other health benefits. So, if you have always loved drinking ginger ale, there’s no reason to stop it. However, consume it in moderation since it contains carbonated water and sugar. Further, since every pregnant woman may react differently to different types of food and drinks, consult your obstetrician to determine if ginger ale is safe for you.
Infographic: Benefits Of Consuming Ginger Ale During Pregnancy
Ginger ale is a great caffeine-free alternative to several caffeine-laden sodas on the market. As it contains real ginger root, it offers various benefits, including managing various mild health concerns during pregnancy. Read the infographic below to learn about them.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Is It Safe To Drink Ginger Ale During Pregnancy?
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Pregnancy Diary 2: 1st Trimester || The Cuddle Blog;https://www.thecuddleblog.com/2017/06/pregnancy-diary-2-1st-trimester-cuddle.html?m=1
References
- The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy; NCBI
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818021/ - The Effects of Ginger on Fasting Blood Sugar Hemoglobin A1c Apolipoprotein B Apolipoprotein A-I and Malondialdehyde in Type 2 Diabetic Patients; NCBI
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277626/ - Ginger for migraines; NutritionFacts
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/ginger-for-migraines/ - Does ginger supplementation lower blood pressure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials; NCBI
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30972845/ - Beverages carbonated ginger ale.
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174846/nutrients - Ginger Root.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565886/ - Does Ginger Ale Really Help With Nausea?
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ginger-ale-and-saltine-crackers-5-ways-to-ease-stomach-pain-and-nausea/ - Julien Stanisiere et al.; (2018); How Safe Is Ginger Rhizome for Decreasing Nausea and Vomiting in Women during Early Pregnancy?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5920415/ - GERD Diet: Foods That Help with Acid Reflux (Heartburn).
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/gerd-diet-foods-that-help-with-acid-reflux-heartburn - Ginger ale.
https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Ginger_ale%2C_ginger_908234_nutritional_value.html
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