Ginger Drink: A Complete Guide to Its Benefits [2025]

Ginger has established itself as one of the key ingredients for well-being in recent years. Between morning shots, concentrates to dilute and artisanal elixirs, the ginger drink is available today in multiple forms. But behind this craze lies a reality that few consumers suspect: not all ginger drinks are equal, far from it.

Whether you are looking to improve your digestion, strengthen your strengthen immune defenses or simply to replace soda with a healthier alternative, this guide gives you all the keys to understanding the real benefits of ginger, distinguish the different types of drinks available and make an informed choice — particularly with regard to a criterion that is too often neglected: sugar content.

The proven benefits of ginger drink

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used for millennia in traditional Asian and Ayurvedic medicines. Modern science has largely confirmed its properties. Here are the main benefits that can be expected from a ginger drink quality.

An ally of digestion

Ginger is known to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes and accelerate gastric emptying. Concretely, this means less bloating, less heaviness after meals and more regular transit. Gingerols and shogaols, the active compounds in ginger, act directly on motility ginger gastroenteritis-intestinal.

If you regularly suffer from digestive discomfort, a ginger drink consumed before or after meals can make a real difference. To delve deeper into this subject, consult our dedicated article on ginger and digestion.

Remarkable anti-inflammatory properties

Theinflammation chronic low-grade disease is today considered a contributing factor to many modern pathologies: joint pain, fatigue persistent, skin problems. Ginger has well-documented anti-inflammatory properties, comparable in some cases to medications like ibuprofen, but without the side effects gastrointestinal.

Gingerols inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, two key mediators of inflammation. Regular consumption of ginger drink can thus contribute to reducing muscle pain and joints. Find out how ginger works like anti-inflammatory ginger natural.

A boost for the immune system

Ginger has antimicrobial and antiviral properties which make it a valuable ally for natural defenses, particularly during the winter months. It stimulates the production of immune cells and helps the body fight infections.

Combined with other ingredients such as turmeric and the lemon — a combination found in the best formulations — its effect onimmunity is further strengthened. To learn more about how ginger can help you strengthen immunity, check out our complete guide.

An ancestral remedy for nausea

This is undoubtedly the oldest and best documented use of ginger. Whether it is nausea linked to motion sickness, pregnancy or medical treatments, ginger has repeatedly demonstrated its effectiveness. It works by blocking certain serotonin receptors involved in the gag reflex.

A ginger drink is a particularly pleasant and practical way to benefit from this effect. Our article on the ginger against nausea details the mechanisms involved and the recommended dosages.

A natural toning effect

Unlike caffeine which causes an energy spike followed by a crash, ginger provides gentler, longer-lasting stimulation. It improves the blood circulation, promotes tissue oxygenation and stimulates metabolism. Many people who join a ginger drink in their morning routine report increased energy and mental clarity, without the drawbacks of exciting drinks.

When ginger is combined with turmeric, the effects are synergistic. The association turmeric and ginger is also one of the most studied in herbal medicine.

Ginger drink: the different types

The market for ginger drink has diversified considerably. Before choosing, it is helpful to understand the different categories that exist.

Ginger shots

Small bottles of 30 to 60 ml, ginger shots are drunk in one gulp, generally in the morning on an empty stomach. Their ginger concentration is high, which gives them an intense, even spicy taste. They are convenient but often expensive per liter, and their composition varies greatly from brand to brand — some contain significant amounts of sugar or apple juice to sweeten the taste.

Concentrates to be diluted

These are concentrated liquid preparations that are mixed with water, sparkling water or other drinks. This format offers great flexibility: you can adjust the intensity according to your preferences and vary the pleasures. This is the category in which we find artisanal elixirs like INTI Elixir, but also more industrial products. The difference mainly comes down to the quality of the ingredients and the sugar content.

Juices and ready-to-drink drinks

They can be found in the fresh produce section or in delicatessens. These drinks are ready to consume but have several disadvantages: they are bulky to transport, their shelf life is limited, and their ginger concentration is often low. To achieve a pleasant taste without relying on sufficient ginger, manufacturers frequently compensate with sugar or flavorings.

Ginger infusions and teas

Infusion bags or fresh ginger infused in hot water: this is the simplest and oldest form. The cost is minimal, but the concentration of active ingredients remains modest compared to a concentrate. It's a good supplemental option, but probably insufficient if you're looking for tangible effects on digestion or inflammation.

Ginger syrups

Intended to flavor cocktails, mocktails or desserts, ginger syrups are above all pleasure products. Their sugar content is generally very high (it is the very basis of a syrup), which makes it the least interesting category from a health point of view.

How to choose your ginger drink?

Faced with the multiplication of offers, here are the essential criteria to check before purchasing a ginger drink.

1. Sugar content

This is THE number one criterion, and yet the most often neglected. Many consumers buy a ginger drink thinking about making a healthy choice, without realizing that they sometimes ingest as much — or even more — sugar than with a classic soda. Always turn the bottle upside down and read the nutritional table. We will return to this crucial point in detail in the following section.

2. Organic certification

Ginger is a root that can absorb pesticides and heavy metals from the soil in which it grows. Opt for one drink organic ginger in Belgium certified (EU label, Certisys, AB, etc.) guarantees the absence of chemical residues and environmentally friendly cultivation. This is a minimum when you consume a product for health reasons.

3. Composition and list of ingredients

A good ginger drink should display a short and understandable list of ingredients. Be wary of formulations that include artificial flavors, preservatives, colors, or “ginger extracts” whose actual concentration is impossible to determine. Ginger should be at the top of the list, not fifth behind water, sugar and concentrated apple juice.

4. The origin of the ingredients

Not all gingers are created equal. Peruvian ginger is renowned for its richness in gingerols, while mass-produced Chinese ginger often has lower concentrations of active ingredients. Artisanal brands that are transparent about the provenance of their ingredients inspire more trust than those that remain vague on the subject.

5. The mode of production

The way the drink is made directly influences the preservation of nutrients. Artisanal production in small batches generally allows for better quality control and optimal preservation of ginger's active compounds, unlike large-scale industrial production where high-temperature pasteurization can degrade certain nutrients.

6. Versatility of use

A good organic ginger concentrate should be able to be used in multiple ways: diluted in still or sparkling water, as a cocktail base or ginger mocktails, as a culinary seasoning, or even pure for thrill-seekers. This versatility ensures that the product will not end up forgotten at the bottom of the refrigerator.

The trap of hidden sugar in shots in ginger drinks

Here is the part of this guide that could well change your outlook on ginger drink. This is a subject that we don't talk about enough, and yet deserves your full attention.

Fresh ginger is naturally pungent and slightly bitter. To make their drinks more accessible to the general public, many manufacturers add considerable amounts of sugar to their formulations. The result? Products that position themselves in the “health” and “well-being” niche while displaying sugar contents that are sometimes higher than those of the sodas that we are precisely seeking to replace.

Some striking figures

Let's take concrete benchmarks to measure the extent of the problem:

• Classic Coca-Cola : approximately 10.6 g of sugar per 100 ml
• Some Popular Ginger Concentrates : up to 34 g of sugar per 100 ml

You read correctly: some ginger drinks reputed to contain more than three times the amount of sugar in a Coca-Cola. Of course, these are concentrates that are diluted, but even diluted to the recommended ratio, the quantity of sugar ingested per glass remains significant.

The World Health Organization recommends not exceeding 25 g of added sugars per day for an adult. A single drink made with sweetened concentrate can account for a significant portion of this daily limit.

Why is this a problem

The paradox is cruel: you buy a ginger drink for its benefits on digestion, inflammation and energy, but added sugar causes exactly the opposite:

• Sugar promotes chronic inflammation — the opposite of what you're looking for with ginger
• It disrupts the microbiota intestinal and can worsen digestive problems
• It causes peaks of blood sugar followed by energy drops
• It contributes to weight gain, cavities and the risk of ginger diabetes type 2

In summary, sugar can negate the benefits of even the ginger you eat. This is why checking the nutritional label is an essential reflex.

How to Spot Hidden Sugar

Sugar is sometimes hidden under misleading names: concentrated apple juice, agave syrup, ginger and honey, coconut sugar, grape juice. These ingredients are all sugars, regardless of their marketing guise. What matters is the “carbohydrates including sugars” line in the nutritional table. This is the only reliable data.

Some alternatives use erythritol, a natural polyol which provides slight sweetness without impacting blood sugar levels and without the disadvantages of sugar. This is an attractive option for those who want the taste without the consequences.

Comparison of ginger drinks in Belgium

To help you see more clearly, here is a comparison of the main options of ginger drink available in Belgium.

GIMBER

• Type : Ginger concentrate to dilute
• Certification : Organic
• Production : Industrial
• Sugar : 34 g per 100 ml (to be diluted)
• Origin : Belgian brand, large-scale production
• Highlights : Wide distribution, good reputation, organic certification, accessible taste
• Points of attention : Very high sugar content (more than 3 times that of a Coca-Cola per 100 ml), sweet formulation for a product positioned “healthy”

GIMBER helped to popularize the ginger drink in Belgium and in Europe, and that is a positive point. The brand is organic and easily available. The issue of sugar, however, remains a subject of reflection for consumers who are attentive to their carbohydrate intake.

INTI Elixir

• Type : Concentrated ginger elixir to dilute
• Certification : Organic (Certisys EU)
• Production : Artisanal, Meise (Belgium)
• Added sugar : 0g
• Format : 520ml
• Price : 28,99 €
• Ingredients : Peruvian ginger, Peruvian turmeric, Sicilian lemon, black pepper from Sri Lanka, cayenne pepper, erythritol
• Highlights : Zero sugar added, 5 combined superfoods, Belgian artisanal production, organic certification, transparent formulation
• Points of attention : More limited distribution (mainly online), intense taste which can surprise uninitiated palates

INTI Elixir adopts a radically different philosophy: proposing a ginger drink which does not compromise on health. The total absence of added sugar, combined with a formulation rich in superfoods (the synergy turmeric and ginger in mind), makes it a consistent choice for those who consume ginger for its real benefits.

Done house

• Type : Personal artisanal preparation
• Certification : Depends on the ingredients used
• Sugar : Full control
• Highlights : Reduced cost, total control of ingredients, maximum freshness
• Points of attention : Preparation time, limited shelf life, difficulty in standardizing taste, need to purchase ingredients separately

Prepare your own ginger drink is a perfectly valid option, and we give you a recipe in the next section. But for everyday use, the practicality of a concentrate ready to dilute remains a strong argument.

Summary table

Criterion	GIMBER	INTI Elixir	Homemade
Organic	Yes	Yes (Certisys EU)	According to ingredients
Added sugar	34g/100ml	0g	According to recipe
Production	Industrial	Artisanal (Meise, BE)	House
Number of superfoods	1 (ginger)	5	Varies
Practicality	High	High	Low
Availability	Large (stores + online)	Online (inti-drink.com)	N/A

Recipe: make your own ginger drink

If you want to discover the ginger drink by preparing it yourself, here is a simple and effective recipe.

Ingredients

• 100 g of fresh organic ginger
• 1 liter of filtered water
• The juice of 2 organic lemons
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder (or 2 cm of fresh turmeric)
• A pinch of ground black pepper
• Natural sweetener of your choice: erythritol, stevia (optional)

Preparation

1. Prepare the ginger : Wash and peel the fresh ginger. Grate it finely or cut it into small pieces.
2. Heat up : Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the grated ginger and turmeric. Reduce the heat and simmer covered for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Filter : Pass the mixture through a fine sieve or through cheesecloth to remove the pieces of ginger.
4. Season : Add the lemon juice and black pepper (pepper increases the absorption of curcumin from turmeric by more than 2000%). Add sweetener if desired.
5. Keep : Pour into a glass bottle and store in the refrigerator. Consume within 5 days.

Tips

• The longer you simmer, the more intense and spicy the taste will be.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra boost
• Serve hot in winter (ginger tea) or cold with ice cubes and sparkling water in summer

This homemade recipe is a great starting point for enjoying benefits of ginger. However, it requires preparation time and does not keep well. For those who wish to join the ginger drink in their daily lives without compromising on quality or practicality, INTI Elixir offers a ready-to-use formulation that combines five superfoods — ginger, turmeric, lemon, black pepper and cayenne pepper — all without any added sugar and with organic certification.

FAQ: everything you need to know about ginger drink

Can you drink ginger drink every day?

Yes, daily consumption of ginger is considered safe for most healthy adults. Commonly recommended dosages are around 1 to 4 grams of fresh ginger per day. The important thing is to choose a ginger drink no added sugar to avoid turning a healthy habit into a source of excessive carbohydrates. If in doubt or if medical treatment is in progress, seek the advice of your doctor.

Does ginger drink help with weight loss?

Ginger can contribute to weight management indirectly: it stimulates metabolism, promotes thermogenesis (production of heat by the body) and helps regulate appetite. However, it is not a miracle product. A ginger drink is part of a global approach to balanced nutrition and physical activity. Be careful, however: if your drink contains 34 g of sugar per 100 ml, the effect on weight may be exactly the opposite of that hoped for.

When should you drink your ginger drink?

There is no single ideal time, it depends on your goals:

• In the morning on an empty stomach : to stimulate metabolism and start the day with energy
• Before meals : to prepare digestion and reduce bloating
• After meals : to facilitate the digestion and reduce discomfort
• In the afternoon : as an alternative to coffee for a caffeine-free boost

Is ginger drink compatible with pregnancy?

Ginger is traditionally used to relieve pregnancy nausea, and several studies confirm its effectiveness and safety in moderate dosages (up to 1 g per day). However, every pregnancy is different. It is strongly recommended to consult your doctor or midwife before joining a ginger drink to your routine during pregnancy. For more details, see our article on ginger against nausea.

What is the difference between a ginger shot and a diluted concentrate?

A ginger shot is a small dose (30-60 ml) ready to drink in one go. A concentrate to be diluted is a larger preparation that is mixed with water or another drink according to your preferences. Concentrate generally offers better value and greater flexibility of use: you can adjust the strength, mix it in a cocktail, use it in cooking, or simply drink it diluted in sparkling water. The concentrated format is also more economical and generates less packaging waste than purchasing individual shots.

Conclusion: choosing the right ginger drink is first read the label

The ginger drink is much more than a passing trend. The benefits of ginger for digestion, inflammation, immunity and energy are real and documented. But to truly benefit from it, you still need to choose a product that does not sabotage these benefits with a mountain of hidden sugar.

The most important reflex to adopt is simple: turn the bottle over and read the nutritional table before buying. Look for a organic ginger drink, with a short and understandable list of ingredients, and above all the lowest possible added sugar content – ideally zero.

Whether you opt for a homemade recipe or a ready-made artisanal elixir, the main thing is to make an informed choice. Your body will thank you.

Want to discover an organic, artisanal ginger drink with no added sugar? Discover INTI Elixir, made in Meise with five carefully selected superfoods.