Is Ginger Beer Good for You?

Drinking drinks with natural flavors and botanicals has become an increasingly popular trend over the past couple of years.

One of the more popular choices is ginger beer, which has rapidly become a favorite among health-conscious people everywhere.

But is it actually good for you? Let’s dive into this bubbly beverage and find out!

Ginger beer is a light, carbonated beverage made with ginger root, sugar, lemon juice, and spices. It has been around since the 1700s and was once used as a medicinal tonic due to its believed healing properties.

Today, ginger beer is enjoyed as a refreshing alternative to regular beer or soft drinks. It can be served on its own, as part of a cocktail, or simply mixed with other ingredients to make a delicious drink.

What is Ginger Beer?

Ginger beer is made with fresh ginger root, sugar, and water that has been heated until all the flavors are fully extracted into the mixture. After it cools it’s then combined with lemon juice and carbonation, which gives it its fizzy texture.

The final product typically contains anywhere between 2 – 4 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce serving along with some vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and iron.

Is Ginger Beer Good For You?

In moderation, ginger beer can be healthy. Its active ingredient, gingerol, has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body, aid digestion and even soothe sore throats or nausea from motion sickness or morning sickness during pregnancy.

Additionally, drinking it in place of other sugary beverages like sodas or energy drinks can help reduce your overall sugar intake for improved health benefits.

Benefits of Drinking Ginger Beer

Some potential health benefits associated with drinking ginger beer include:

• Boosting immunity thanks to vitamin C content
• Improving digestion through its anti-inflammatory properties
• Relieving muscle aches including headaches and menstrual cramps

Possible Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Ginger Beer

Although there are some benefits when it comes to drinking moderate amounts of ginger beer (1-2 servings per day), too much can potentially have some negative side effects such as an upset stomach or excessive gas due to its high sugar content.

Additionally, those who have high blood pressure should be wary of drinking too much since some varieties may be high in sodium as well.

Recommended Amounts of Ginger Beer

Generally speaking, one serving (12 ounces) per day should suffice for most adults when it comes to reaping the health benefits of drinking ginger beer without experiencing any negative side effects from too much consumption. Of course, if you’re pregnant or dealing with hypertension then you’ll want to consult your doctor before indulging in any amount of this tasty beverage!

Alternatives to Drinking Ginger Beer

If you’re looking for other ways to get your fix without actually consuming soda there are quite a few options available depending on your tastes!

Some healthier alternatives that still provide refreshment include green tea (for antioxidants), herbal teas (for flavor) chia seed smoothies (for protein) and even plain old mineral water (for hydration).

All these can give you an added boost without overloading calories or sugar!

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it’s important to keep moderation in mind when indulging in any type of sugary beverage such as soda or energy drink alternatives like ginger beer. When consumed responsibly though they can provide a pleasant pick-me-up while also delivering potential health benefits thanks to their natural ingredients AND flavorings!

So go ahead and enjoy yourself but always remember everything in moderation!