Ginger drinks-without-sugar-guide-choosing-the-best-2026">drinks vary greatly in sugar content:
• GIMBER Original Concentrate: approximately 35g of sugar per 100ml (added sugar: syrup)
• INTI Elixir (artisan preparation): 1.19g of sugar per 100ml (natural sugars from ginger only, no added sugar)
• Coca-Cola (reference): 10.6g/100ml
→ GIMBER contains 3.3× more sugar than a can of Coca-Cola. INTI contains 2.5× less than Coca-Cola.
Sugar chart: all brands
| Brand / Product | Sugars / 100ml | Sugars / serving | Type of sugar | vs Coca-Cola |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTI Elixir (artisan preparation) | <4g | <2.4g (60ml) | Natural (ginger) | 2.5× LESS |
| GIMBER Original Concentrate | ~35g | ~10.5g (30ml) | Added sugar (syrup) | 3.3× MORE |
| Holyshot Ginger-Lemon Organic | ~8–12g | ~5–7g (60ml) | Varies by variant | ~1× (same) |
| Gembersap Pure (Go Now) | ~3–5g | ~2–3g (50ml) | Natural | 2–3× LESS |
| YUMI Ginger Shot | ~5–8g | ~2–3g (40ml) | Natural / little added | 1–2× LESS |
| Coca-Cola (reference) | 10.6g | — | Added sugar | — |
| WHO: adult female daily limit | — | 25g/day max | — | — |
Sources: 2025 product labels, WHO data. Check label as formulations may change.
What 35g of sugar per 100ml concretely represents
- 🍬 A 30ml shot of GIMBER = 10.5g of sugar = 2.6 sugar cubes
- 📊 = 42% of the recommended daily intake of free sugars (WHO, adult female) in a single serving
- 🥤 = 3.3× the sugar concentration of a can of Coca-Cola
- ⚠️ This sugar is added syrup, not naturally occurring sugar in ginger
- 🌿 Fresh ginger benefits naturally contains only 1.7g of sugar / 100g
What 1.19g of sugar per 100ml (INTI) represents
- ✅ A 60ml shot of INTI = less than 2.4g of sugar
- ✅ = less than 10% of the WHO daily sugar intake
- ✅ = only natural sugars from fresh ginger (no syrup, no added sugar)
- ✅ Compatible with a diabetic, low-carb, or ketogenic diet
Why some concentrates contain so much sugar
Pure artisan-prepared ginger is intense, pungent, and difficult to consume in large quantities. To produce a more "drinkable" and pleasant concentrate diluted in water, some manufacturers add sugar syrup, ginger and honey or agave up to 30–40% of the formula. The result: a milder product but with a sugar content exceeding that of many sodas.
INTI makes the opposite choice: pure artisan preparation, ginger + lemon + water, with no added sweetness. The taste is more intense and authentic, but the composition is consistent with health goals.
Impact of sugar on ginger's benefits
This is the biochemical paradox of sugary ginger drinks:
| What ginger does | What added sugar does | Net result |
|---|---|---|
| Inhibits NF-κB (anti-inflammatory-science-utilisation">anti-inflammatory ginger) | Activates NF-κB (pro-inflammatory) | ⚖️ Partially cancelled |
| Activates AMPK (ginger and metabolism-studies">ginger and metabolism) | Inhibits AMPK (insulin resistance) | ⚖️ Partially cancelled |
| Improves ginger blood sugar (INTI) | Increases glycemic spike | ⚖️ Contradictory |
| Reduces inflammation (Nrf2) | Increases ginger stress oxidation | ⚖️ Partially cancelled |
❓ FAQ — Sugar in ginger drinks
Is GIMBER bad for health due to its sugar?
GIMBER is a concentrate designed to be diluted in 200–300ml of water. The actual portion consumed contains ~10g of sugar — significant but not dangerous for occasional consumption by a healthy person. For daily use or for diabetic/prediabetic individuals, the sugar profile should be seriously considered.
Can an organic product contain a lot of sugar?
Yes. The organic label certifies the absence of pesticides and a respectful production method — not the sugar content. A product can be 100% organic certified and very sugary. Always read the nutritional values.
Does INTI really contain zero added sugar?
INTI Elixir is made of ginger, lemon, and water — all cold-pressed. No syrup, sugar, honey, or sweetening agent is added. The low sugar content (1.19g/100ml) comes exclusively from the natural sugars of fresh ginger (1.7g/100g) and lemon.
Which ginger drink for a diabetic?
For a diabetic or prediabetic: INTI Elixir (no added sugar, 1.19g/100ml) or pure Gembersap. Avoid sugary concentrates. Consult a doctor for drug interactions (ginger + antidiabetic medication = risk of hypoglycemia).
1.19g of sugar per 100ml · No added sugar · Only natural sugars from fresh ginger
artisan preparation · Certified organic · Ginger + lemon · Made in Belgium
→ Order on inti-drink.com
Related articles
To delve deeper into the topic, also read:
- hidden sugar in ginger shots in Ginger Drinks: What the Labels Say (2025)
- INTI vs GIMBER: Which Ginger to Choose if You Are Diabetic or Prediabetic?
- INTI Ginger: All Questions About Sugar, Price, and Composition
- INTI vs GIMBER vs ginger shots on the Belgian market: full comparison 2025 — sugar, ingredients, efficacy
- GIMBER Calories per Shot: What 42 kcal of Pure Sugar Represents for Your Health
- Sugar Content of Ginger Drinks: Full Comparative Table (INTI, GIMBER, others) 2025
- best ginger drink for Health in Belgium: Comparison 2025
- INTI vs GIMBER: why GIMBER contains 35g of sugar and how INTI is the real healthy alternative