SALT LAKE CITY — Ginger ale may not be so good for you when you’re sick after all.
Dr. Gina Sam, a gastroenterologist in New York City, told WBAL-TV in Baltimore that the drink may not fix your stomach bug.
- "I think the myth comes from the name of the beverage,” Sam said. "People assume if it has ginger in the name, it'll likely help their stomachs."
- Sam said ginger ale is filled with sugar and fizzy water with only a hint of ginger.
- It’s ginger, though, that helps the most.
- "I don't think the public realizes how much sugar and how little ginger is in these beverages," Sam said.
Why?: Sugar isn’t good for your bug.
- "The reason we say to avoid sugar when you're fighting a stomach illness is because sugar actually feeds the bad bacteria in your GI tract, causing more bloating, gas and indigestion," said Sam.
More evidence: WebMD lists “ginger ale” as one of the drinks “you don’t need” when you’re sick.
- “While ginger in its natural form may have some cold and flu benefits, this carbonated, sugary version won't offer much relief. Soft drinks of any kind have very little of the nutrients and electrolytes you need to fight off sickness. Get your ginger in a mug of hot tea instead.”
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However: Don’t totally discount ginger ale. Duane Stanford, the editor of “Beverage Digest,” told The Atlantic in 2016 that ginger ale can help you if you think it will.
- “People in general believe ginger ale has a healthy halo,” Stanford said. “The psychosomatic effects are something not to discount. If they think ginger will do something, it might.”