Beverages, carbonated, ginger ale
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
Ginger ale is a clear, golden-hued carbonated soft drink with a crisp, effervescent texture and a mild, sweet ginger flavor that's more aromatic than spicy. Nutritionally, it's a source of quick energy from its 8.9g of sugar per 100ml, with no protein, fat, or fiber. It's often chosen for its refreshing, palate-cleansing qualities.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its unique balance of sweet and subtly spicy ginger notes, which make it a refreshing standalone drink or a versatile mixer. It's also deeply embedded in cultural traditions, from being a classic soda fountain staple to a go-to remedy for an upset stomach.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content can lead to blood sugar spikes and contributes to empty calories. Those monitoring sugar intake or managing diabetes should be cautious. To counteract, consider choosing diet/zero-sugar versions, diluting it with sparkling water, or pairing it with a protein-rich snack to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides quick carbohydrate energy
- Can be a soothing beverage for nausea (non-medical)
- Offers a low-calorie alternative to some sugary sodas
- Hydrating due to its high water content
- Caffeine-free carbonated option
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Despite its name, most commercial ginger ale contains no actual ginger juice; its flavor comes from ginger essence, oils, or extracts, with the 'ale' referring to its historical association with ginger beer.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 91.2 g |
| Energy | 34.0 kcal |
| Energy | 142 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Ash | 0.01 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.9 g |
| Sucrose | 1.9 g |
| Glucose | 3.1 g |
| Fructose | 3.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.18 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 7.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.05 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, carbonated, tonic water — USDA does not publish this profile for Beverages.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is ginger ale the same as ginger beer?
No. Ginger beer is traditionally fermented, has a stronger, spicier ginger flavor, and can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Ginger ale is a carbonated soft drink with milder ginger flavoring.
Does ginger ale help with stomach upset?
While not a medical treatment, the carbonation and mild ginger flavor can be soothing for some people experiencing nausea or indigestion. It's a common folk remedy.
Is ginger ale gluten-free?
Most standard ginger ales are gluten-free, as they are made from carbonated water, sugar, and ginger flavoring. However, it's always best to check the label for specific allergen information.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.34 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 8.9 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 7.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.