Ginger helps to eliminate motion sickness and can ease nausea from pregnancy and chemotherapy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It also can reduce inflammation in the body and might have anti-clotting and anti-cancer effects. If you are consuming a ginger drink for your health, drink the one that provides the most benefits.
Calories
Perhaps the starkest difference between ginger ale and ginger tea is the number of calories you consume. A 12 oz. glass of ginger ale provides 124 calories, almost all of them attributed to its 32 g of sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you are watching calories or your intake of carbohydrates, steer clear of ginger ale; its impact on your waistline likely will outweigh any health effects conferred by any ginger the drink may provide. Instead, drink a cup of ginger tea made from two slices of ginger root steeped in hot water. Add a dab of honey or drink it unsweetened.
Amount of Ginger
When you prepare a cup of ginger tea, you know exactly how much ginger you are getting. Add more or less ginger, depending on your taste buds. On the other hand, a glass of ginger ale may not provide any ginger at all. Many brands do not even list ginger as an ingredient on the label. If you drink ginger ale, drink a homemade variety or read the label to ensure it contains ginger.
Flavor
If you don't like the flavor of ginger, you won't enjoy ginger tea, which is steeped directly from the ginger rhizome. Ginger ale usually has a much milder flavor -- likely due to the fact it contains little, if any, ginger. If you make your own ginger ale, and add ginger to your taste, it will be a healthier drink. One advantage of drinking ginger tea is that you can add flavors. Try steeping ginger tea with a bit of cinnamon stick, dried apricots or lemon.
Caution
Ginger can affect some medications. Do not drink ginger tea if you have problems with your blood not clotting properly or if you are taking a blood thinner. Children under age 2 should not consume ginger. See a doctor if you are considering using ginger to treat an ailment.
The amount of ginger found in any ginger ale likely will not interact with drugs or be inappropriate for children unless it is homemade ginger ale with a large amount of ginger.
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