Want to win? Skip the grocery aisle. Head to the produce section.
Fresh ginger root is a fire-breathing dragon. Grate it into hot water with lemon. That’s the good stuff.
Studies show gingerol—the spicy compound—can reduce pain. It works like a mild, natural ibuprofen. But it tastes way better than a pill.
Quirky fact: ginger was once worth more than pepper in medieval Europe. People used it to cure the plague. Spoiler: it didn’t work.
The Sugar Spiral
Classic ginger ale is a sugar bomb. A single can has up to 40 grams of sugar.
Ginger for Sore Throat: How It Soothes and Relieves Pain
What does sugar do to a sore throat? It feeds the inflammation. Bacteria love sugar more than you love Netflix.
So you’re basically throwing a pool party for the germs. Not smart, ginger ale. Not smart.