Calories in Ginger Ale: Nutrition Facts & Serving Sizes
Per 1 fl oz (31g)
Per 100g
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, March 2026.
Ginger ale is a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger or ginger extract, available in regular and diet versions. A standard 12 fl oz can (366g) contains about 124 calories, 32.2g of carbs, and 32.6g of sugar. Per 100g it delivers 34 calories and 8.8g of carbs, making it lower in calories than regular soda (51 cal/100g). The sodium content is low at 7mg per 100g. Ginger ale contains little to no actual ginger in commercial formulations, relying instead on artificial or natural ginger flavoring. It provides negligible nutritional value and is primarily composed of carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup or sugar, and flavorings. It is commonly consumed as a casual beverage or when experiencing nausea, though the therapeutic effect from commercial ginger ale is minimal due to low ginger content.
Nutrition Highlights
Calories by Serving Size
| Serving | Cal | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fl oz (31g) | 10.4 | 0g | 2.7g | 0g | 0g |
| 1 can or bottle (12 fl oz) (366g) | 124.4 | 0g | 32.2g | 0g | 0g |
| 1 can or bottle (16 fl oz) (488g) | 165.9 | 0g | 42.9g | 0g | 0g |
| 100g | 34 | 0g | 8.8g | 0g | 0g |
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Full Nutrition Facts (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 34 | 2% |
| Protein | 0g | |
| Total Fat | 0g | |
| Total Carbohydrates | 8.8g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | |
| Sugars | 8.9g | 18% |
| Sodium | 7mg |
Vitamins & Minerals (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 3mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.2mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 1mg | 0% |
| Magnesium | 1mg | 0% |
| Zinc | 0.1mg | 1% |
| Selenium | 0.1mcg | 0% |
% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA reference).
Health Benefits of Ginger Ale
Commercial ginger ale provides minimal health benefits. Most mainstream brands contain only ginger flavoring rather than real ginger root, meaning the active compounds in ginger (like gingerols and shogaols) that have been studied for anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory effects are not meaningfully present.
The carbonation can provide temporary relief from bloating and minor digestive discomfort for some people, which may explain its reputation as a stomach-soothing drink. However, carbonated beverages can also exacerbate acid reflux or bloating in others.
For those seeking actual ginger health benefits, fresh ginger root, ginger tea, or high-ginger-content supplements are far more effective. Research on gingerols and shogaols in real ginger shows anti-nausea effects (particularly for motion sickness and morning sickness) at doses of 1-2g per day.
Diet ginger ale versions using artificial sweeteners eliminate the sugar and calorie content entirely, making them a better option than regular ginger ale for those tracking calories or managing blood sugar levels. The carbonation is retained, providing the same sensory experience without the calorie cost.
Dietary Considerations
Ginger ale is not suitable for keto or low-carb diets in its regular form due to 32.2g of carbs per 12 oz can. Diet versions with zero sugar are keto-compatible. It is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free in standard formulations. For weight loss, regular ginger ale is an unnecessary source of liquid calories and sugar. Diet versions are calorie-free alternatives. The sugar content of 32.6g per can approaches the entire recommended daily limit of 25-36g of added sugar for adults. It has no protein, fat, or fiber to offset the sugar impact on blood glucose.
Daily Intake (100g)
100g of ginger ale provides 2% of a 2,000-calorie diet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories in ginger ale?
A 12 fl oz can of regular ginger ale has about 124 calories and 32.6g of sugar. Per 100g, ginger ale contains 34 calories. Diet ginger ale has effectively zero calories.
Is ginger ale good for weight loss?
Regular ginger ale is a poor choice for weight loss due to its high sugar content of 32.6g per can. Diet versions with zero calories are a better option if you want the carbonated beverage experience without the calorie cost.
How much protein in ginger ale?
Ginger ale contains zero protein. It is purely carbonated water with sugar and flavorings, providing no macronutrients other than carbohydrates.
Does ginger ale help with nausea?
Commercial ginger ale contains very little actual ginger, so its anti-nausea effect is mostly from the carbonation and placebo effect. For real nausea relief, ginger tea or fresh ginger with 1-2g of gingerols is far more effective.
Is ginger ale better than regular soda?
Ginger ale has slightly fewer calories than most colas at 34 per 100g versus 51 for standard soda. However, both are essentially sugar water with minimal nutritional value. Diet versions of both are similarly low-calorie.
Is ginger ale keto-friendly?
Regular ginger ale is not keto-friendly at 32.2g of carbs per 12 oz can. Diet or zero-sugar ginger ale versions are keto-compatible since they contain negligible carbohydrates.
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