Why do I feel better after drinking ginger ale?

Ginger, a member of the plant family that includes turmeric and cardamom, has been proven to be effective at treating nausea and vomiting — two hallmarks of a classic upset stomach. In fact, ginger is even used to treat morning sickness, muscle pain and menstrual pain.

houstonmethodist.org - Does Ginger Ale Really Help With a Stomachache? - Houston Methodist

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When you feel a stomachache coming on — ugh, it's the pits.

Symptoms like nausea, indigestion, heartburn, stomach cramps and bloating can make your day suddenly go from pretty good to totally bleh. The list of remedies for an ailment as common as a stomachache can be overwhelming: drink water, drink tea, drink apple cider vinegar, chew on peppermint leaves, soak in the tub, avoid lying down — the list goes on and on. But one of the most commonly recommended cures is also one of the most misunderstood: ginger ale. "We've all heard it: To calm an upset stomach, drink ginger ale," says Dr. Shilpa Vaidya, internist at Houston Methodist. "But, like many simple health remedies that get passed down, you have to take it with a grain of salt."

Is it the ginger, or the ale, that helps with a stomachache?

But, the plant's root, which is dried and ground to make ginger spice, doesn't look nearly as appetizing as a cold bottle of ginger ale. So, when you're suffering from stomach problems, why not just reach for the ale instead of the root?

Dr. Vaidya explains that many ginger ales on the market today don't contain ginger as an ingredient (gasp!): "If you look carefully at the label, the ginger in ginger ale may only be artificial flavoring. Or, if the beverage does have real ginger, there's a good chance it doesn't contain enough to relieve your upset stomach." And, though there may not be much (or any) ginger in ginger ale, there's plenty of another ingredient: sugar. "When treating an upset stomach — especially when suffering from symptoms like gas, indigestion and bloating — carbonated, sugary beverages can often make you feel worse, not better," says Dr. Vaidya.

When stomach troubles come, reach for the real thing

Though ginger ale may be tasty, when suffering from a stomachache you're better off opting for the genuine article, explains Dr. Vaidya. "Instead of the beverage aisle, I recommend visiting your grocery store's produce section and picking up some fresh ginger root." Simply add peeled slices to hot tea or plain hot water. And if you're not comfortable handling the raw ingredient, try ground ginger instead. And remember: Overtaxing your stomach, even with a good thing, will only lead to more distress. A little ginger tea goes a long way, so don't overdo it. "Drinking small amounts throughout the day is far better than drinking multiple cups in one sitting," says Dr. Vaidya.

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Is cinnamon good for dementia?

Cinnamon is not recommended as a prevention or treatment for Alzheimer's disease or dementia as it can be toxic.

alzheimers.org.uk - Cinnamon and dementia | Alzheimer's Society

Does cinnamon help to prevent dementia?

The levels of cinnamon a person would have to eat to replicate the results of many of the experiments that have taken place would actually be toxic. More research is needed into these chemicals but, if beneficial, they will need to be provided in a drug form rather than in cinnamon.

What are the claims about cinnamon and reducing dementia risk?

There have been several studies reported in the media about cinnamon and its potential benefits in preventing the development of Alzheimer's disease. However, all of the studies that these reports are based on were performed in the lab, and used chemicals extracted from cinnamon rather than the spice itself. The common spice cinnamon has been reported to have anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Researchers have specifically looked into the effects of cinnamon extracts on some of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. For example, cinnamon bark extracts have been shown to prevent and even reverse Alzheimer's disease in mouse and fruit fly models of the disease.

Can cinnamon prevent the development of tau protein tangles?

Other extracts have also been shown to have potential for future treatments. Lab studies have shown that cinnemaldehyde and epicatectin, both found in cinnamon, can prevent the development of 'tangles' of tau protein similar to those seen in people with Alzheimer's disease. Most experiments so far have been conducted in cells grown in the lab so it is unclear if the same effects will be seen in animal models or humans, or if there will be any impact on the function of brain cells.

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