Want to know more about ginger ale and whether it is something you can add to your everyday diet? How does this carbonated drink compare to ginger beer? Lastly, there’s also a great mocktail (or cocktail recipe) for you with refreshing lime and mint!
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What is Ginger Ale?
Ginger ale is a ginger-flavored carbonated soft drink. It can be consumed on its own or mixed with other spirits-based beverages.
Even though the name includes the word "ale," the vast majority of this beverage contains no alcohol, and even when it is manufactured organically, it is made using a short-brew process that inhibits fermentation and the production of alcohol.
Even as a non-alcoholic beverage, though, this drink has a refreshing and distinct flavor that has made it a worldwide favorite. Perhaps more importantly, it shares some of ginger's health advantages, particularly in terms of anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Types
This drink is divided into two categories. Thomas Joseph Cantrell, an Irish doctor, is credited with creating the golden style. Canadian John McLaughlin invented the dry form (also known as the pale style), a paler drink with a much milder ginger flavor.
In terms of components, the two have one thing in common: ginger. What's the difference between them, though? Is ginger beer, in fact, beer (and hence alcoholic)?
Ginger Ale vs Ginger Beer
Although most commercial ginger beers presently are non-alcoholic, ginger beer was originally an alcoholic drink produced from fermenting ginger, sugar, and water.
The first is a sweetened, non-alcoholic ginger-flavored soft drink, while the second one has a stronger flavor and is spicier than ginger ale, but it is less carbonated.
Is Ginger Ale Bad?
Ginger raises the level of interferon in your body. Interferon is a virus-fighting protein produced by your immune system. The facts we mentioned before show that the drink can help you lose weight. It should aid your weight loss attempts as long as you consume it in moderation.
When you combine ginger and lemon for losing weight, you may be giving your body an extra boost to keep it healthy. Lemon juice, in addition to being strong in vitamin C, may work as an appetite suppressant.
Ginger Ale Health Benefits
Ginger is considered safe to consume in one's diet by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but it is not guaranteed or regulated as a medicine or supplement.
Health Benefits of natural ginger have been used as a medicinal herb by the Chinese, Indians, and Arabs for over 2,000 years.
The rhizome, or underground stem, is an Asian native that has been used as a spice in Asian cuisine for 4,400 years. Because of its potential to heal chronic conditions like arthritis, ginger may now be found in foods, soft beverages like natural ginger ale, and pharmaceuticals. It also imparts a distinct flavor and scent to meals and beverages.
The capacity of this drink to relieve arthritis symptoms, prevent some malignancies, treat gastrointestinal distress, enhance circulation, and lower oxidative stress, among other things, may be among its most important health benefits.
Ginger ale is frequently advised as a home cure for indigestion and motion sickness, along with other ginger products and non-ginger-flavored carbonated beverages. Coughs and sore throats are also treated with it.
Ginger, on the other hand, should be avoided by pregnant women. Some specialists are concerned that large doses could increase the risk of miscarriage.
Ginger Ale Side Effects
Bloating, burping, and increased gassiness are all possible side effects of ginger ale consumption. Carbonation causes several effects, which are prevalent in any carbonated beverage.
According to a review published in the Nutrition Journal in 2014, consuming too much ginger on a regular basis can cause increased bleeding risk due to a decrease in platelet aggregation.
In this field, there is a lack of research. One potentially dangerous adverse effect of this drink is the possibility of it interfering with cancer medicines. It may also make gallbladder illness worse.
How to choose a healthier option?
Look for an option that doesn't contain artificial coloring and doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup as the primary sweetener.
Traditional ginger ale is fermented and contains more natural ingredients than most commercial ginger ales, which use high fructose corn syrup and artificial coloring.
This soda may not be a healthy beverage, but reading the ingredient list might help you make better decisions.
Although drinking ginger ale provides a number of health benefits, it also has a number of negative side effects.
As a result, several experts advise against drinking ginger ale on a regular basis. The negative consequences aren't limited to ginger-flavored carbonated beverages.
People Also Ask [FAQs]
Vernors is a flavorful golden traditional ginger ale that has been matured in oak barrels for three years before being bottled. It was the first soft drink in the United States, introduced in 1866 and based on imported Irish ginger beers.
A ginger bug is a slurry made from fresh ginger root, sugar, and water that has been fermented during the fermentation process until it becomes bubbling and foamy. Probiotic tonics and drinks like root beer, ginger beer, and probiotic lemonade are made with the bug by brewers.
Natural ginger is an excellent digestive aid. It causes your stomach to produce digestive enzymes, allowing whatever is inside to be digested. When you’re unwell, your digestive functions slow down, and you experience a heavy feeling in your stomach.
As previously said, this drink has certain health benefits, but it is also heavy in sugar, which should be carefully regulated, especially in persons with diabetes.
Diet ginger ale is a type of commercial ginger ale that contains no sugar and no caffeine. Although ginger ale does not often include caffeine, it does contain sugar and other artificial sweeteners. For those who need to limit their sugar and caffeine intake, diet ginger ale is the ideal option. It retains the fizz that everyone enjoys, but it provides no nutritional value once ingested.
Despite the popular assumption that ginger ale might help ease an upset stomach or cure nausea, the sweet dry ginger ale drink has no health or nutritional benefits.
Wrap Up: Is Ginger Ale Good For You?
Always consider checking the nutritional labels on the container when purchasing the drink before thinking that the drink is automatically healthier than another pop.
Many popular drink brands include the same amount of sugar and empty calories as other popular sodas. They may also include potentially dangerous compounds that increase the risk of cancer and birth problems.
If you can't find an all-natural ginger ale, be sure it has actual ginger extract rather than counterfeit flavoring and doesn't have too many calories or "strange" additives.
Whatever sort of ginger ale you buy, remember to drink it in moderation because all drinks include sugar and empty calories, which can be damaging to your health if taken in large quantities.
In love with ginger and its zing? Check out these recipes!
🍽️ Recipe
Moscow Mule with Ginger Ale
Ingredients
For the Ginger and Mint Syrup:
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger peeled and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Light Brown Sugar
- 2-3 Mint Leaves fresh or frozen
- ⅛ Lime juice
For the Moscow Mule:
- 150 ml Ginger Ale diet
- 30 ml Vodka OPTIONAL
- Ice to fill the glass
- Mint Leaves and Lime Wedge to garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Syrup
- In a mortar, add the mint, rown sugar and ginger and, using the pestle, crush for 30-45 seconds, until all the ingredients are crushed and well mixed.
- Take a wedge of the lime (about ⅛) and squeeze its juice in the mortar; mix all the ingredients togeher and the syrup is ready.
Moscow Mule with Ginger Ale
- In your glass of choice, add the squeezed slice of lime and top the glass with ice cubes.
- Add the ginger and mint syrup to the glass with ice.
- (OPTIONAL) If using, add the shot of vodka to the glass.
- Fill the glass with ginger ale and allow it to settle; once the foam has gone, give the drink a quick stir.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and mint leaves as preferred and enhoy!
Alex Gene
Great start to the new year 2022, thank you for sharing this recipe!
Elle
Thank you, Alex! Yes, a great way of starting dry January!