Ginger and Morning Sickness: Safety, Dosage, and Alternatives to Medication

70-80% of pregnant women experience nausea in the first trimester. Vitamin B6 and doxylamine are the first-line treatments, but ginger is the natural alternative with the highest level of evidence.

Clinical evidence: 12 randomized trials

Viljoen et al. (Nutrition Journal, 2014) carried out a systematic review of 12 RCTs totaling 1,278 pregnant women. Conclusion: ginger is significantly superior to placebo in reducing nausea, without adverse effects on pregnancy.

Safe dosage during pregnancy

The WHO and most studies recommend a maximum of 1 g of dried ginger per day (equivalent to ~4 g of fresh ginger). The doses used in the studies range from 0.5 to 1.5 g/day in 2-4 doses.

Sugar makes pregnancy nausea worse

Blood sugar fluctuations are a recognized aggravating factor in pregnancy nausea. A shot with 34 g of sugar/100 ml causes a blood sugar spike followed by a drop — a nauseating cycle. Obstetric recommendations recommend snacks with a low glycemic index.

FAQs

Is ginger safe during pregnancy?
Yes, in moderate doses (≤1g/day of dried ginger). 12 RCTs totaling 1,278 pregnant women showed no fetal adverse effects (Viljoen et al., 2014).

When to take ginger during pregnancy?
Nausea is most intense between weeks 6 and 12. Ginger can be started at the first symptoms. Divide into 2-4 small doses per day.

By Loïc De Vrye — founder of INTI, Me Time Scomm. Sources: PubMed.

INTI — organic ginger + turmeric + black pepper, 1.19 g of sugar/100 ml.