Is Ginger Beer Good for You?

You've probably googled this. Maybe after your third ginger beer of the afternoon, or while standing in the drinks aisle trying to work out which option doesn't require a chemistry degree to read the label. Either way, fair question.

The honest answer: it depends entirely on which ginger beer you're drinking.

The sugar problem

Most ginger beers on the shelf are, let's not sugarcoat it (pun intended), loaded with sugar. A standard ginger beer can contain anywhere from 35 to 45 grams of sugar. That's roughly 8 to 11 teaspoons. In one bottle. For context, the World Health Organisation recommends adults consume no more than 25 grams of free sugars per day.

So a single can of regular ginger beer can tip you well past your daily recommended intake before you've even thought about lunch.

What about "diet" ginger beer?

Some brands offer diet versions, but these often come with artificial sweeteners, artificial colours, and preservatives. You're trading sugar for a different set of question marks on the ingredient list. Not necessarily bad, but worth knowing what you're signing up for.

What about ginger itself?

Ginger (actual ginger) has been used for centuries. It's associated with settling stomachs, reducing nausea, and supporting digestion. There's decent research behind these benefits, particularly around fresh ginger and ginger extract.

But here's the catch: not all ginger beer actually contains much ginger. Some use "ginger flavouring" which is a long way from the real thing. Check the ingredients. If "ginger juice" or "ginger extract" is on the list, you're in better shape than if it just says "natural flavour."

So what makes a ginger beer "good for you"?

Look for these things on the label:

Zero or very low sugar. Your ginger beer shouldn't contribute a day's worth of sugar in a single sitting.

All natural ingredients. If you can't pronounce half the label, that's a signal. Look for simple ingredients you recognise.

No artificial preservatives or colours. These aren't necessary if the product is made well.

Real ginger. Real ginger juice or extract from an actual ginger root that grew in actual soil.

Low calorie. If the sugar is gone and the ingredients are natural, the calorie count should be low. Single digits per 100mL is a good benchmark.

Where Frekl sits

We'll be upfront - we're a ginger beer brand writing about ginger beer. So take this with the appropriate grain of salt (which, by the way, is not an ingredient in our product).

A can of Frekl has zero sugar, only 16 calories, and is made with all natural ingredients including real Australian ginger juice from Queensland. No artificial preservatives. No artificial colours. Gluten free. Vegan.

The ingredients list: carbonated water, plant-based sweetener (erythritol), ginger juice, natural flavours, citric acid, natural colour. That's it. You could read the whole label before the first sip.

Is ginger beer a superfood? No. Is it a replacement for water? Also no. But if you're choosing between a regular ginger beer with 40 grams of sugar and a Frekl with zero, the maths is fairly straightforward.

The takeaway

Not all ginger beers are created equal. Read the label, look for real ingredients, and pick one that doesn't undo your entire day's worth of good decisions in a single can.

Put a Frekl in the fridge.