The Claim: Drinking Flat Soda Can Ease an Upset Stomach (Published 2008) (2024)

FAQs

Does flat soda help an upset stomach? ›

“Carbonated drinks, flat or otherwise, including cola, provide inadequate fluid and electrolyte replacement and cannot be recommended,” they said. Flat soda, a popular remedy for upset stomach, may do more harm than good.

If the soda in your glass, can, or bottle has gone flat there's nothing stopping you from drinking it. Just don't expect it to provide the same level of tasty refreshment it would if it were still bubbly. Just as an aside: it's actually better for your teeth to drink flat soda.

Some home remedies for nausea call for drinking ginger ale at room temperature, while others require drinking it flat. Flat, bubbly, warm, or cold, it's usually just ginger-flavored sugar water — and while it might be delicious, it probably won't help your nausea much.

Clear, non-caffeinated sodas such as 7-Up, Sprite or ginger ale. Diluted juices such as apple, grape, cherry or cranberry (avoid citrus juices) Clear soup broth or bouillon. Popsicles.

Vomiting and diarrhea with upset stomach can cause dehydration. Sports drinks with electrolytes are the best way to prevent dehydration. If you're having trouble keeping liquids down, try sucking on ice chips and taking small sips of water. You can also drink noncaffeinated sodas, such as Sprite, 7UP or ginger ale.

Sprite may not be a good choice for replacing lost fluids when experiencing stomach flu. While some people may find that Sprite can help settle a nauseous stomach, the sugar content in the drink can worsen some symptoms of stomach flu, such as diarrhea. However, Sprite may be an option if other liquids are unpalatable.

The molecules of carbon dioxide are thoroughly mixed and dissolved into the water in the soda pop. When you open a soda can or bottle, the carbon dioxide will begin to come out of the soda and into the air. Eventually enough will come out and the soda will become flat.

As you leave the soda water on the counter, carbon dioxide will leave the solution and enter the atmosphere. According to Le Chatelier's Principle, this will cause a decrease in the amount of carbonic acid in the water. As a result, the soda water will become less acidic as it becomes flat (and the pH will increase).

In fact, flat soda is probably better for settling an upset stomach because the lack of carbonation won't contribute to feelings of being bloated or gassy. So next time you leave half a can of delicious vegan Rocky Mountain Colorado Cola out overnight don't throw it away when you do cleanup in the morning.

Crackers. Foods high in starch — such as saltines, bread, and toast — help absorb gastric acid and settle a queasy stomach. "The bland nature of a cracker helps to satisfy hunger (excessive hunger can exacerbate nausea) without the strong smells or tastes that may increase nausea," says Palinski-Wade.

What kills the stomach virus? ›

There's no medicine for stomach flu. Antibiotics don't work on viruses — they're for bacterial infections. The best thing you can do to help your immune system do its work is to stay home and rest, stay hydrated and eat a little if you can. Give your body the energy it needs to fight the infection.

The hospital did what caregivers have done for thousands of years: Reach for ginger root as an anti-emetic. When ginger ale was invented in the mid-19th century, it quickly became a bedside staple among people suffering from various causes of nausea and vomiting.

Sorry, there isn't a “healthiest” soda when it comes to the traditional soft drink. Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Mountain Dew – whatever your preference, a similar-sized soda will have around the same sugar and caffeine content. But there are a few “healthier” ways to consume soda, says registered dietitian Chris Mohr.

If you've got a full stomach, pass on the soda and co*cktails. Beverages in these categories can further irritate the stomach lining. If you have diarrhea, caffeine could also worsen your symptoms, as drinks like coffee and soda can loosen your stool.

Oral rehydration solutions are available in pharmacies and flat 7up can help if the taste of those is too much - especially for children. Avoid juices and fizzy drinks as they can make diarrhoea worse. If your baby comes down with the virus, the HSE recommends carrying on breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.

3: Antidote for an upset stomach

But what's even better is that cola retains its ability to calm your tummy even if it's gone flat. In fact, flat soda is probably better for settling an upset stomach because the lack of carbonation won't contribute to feelings of being bloated or gassy.

Sodium bicarbonate , also known as baking soda, is used to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, or acid indigestion by neutralizing excess stomach acid. When used for this purpose, it is said to belong to the group of medicines called antacids. It may be used to treat the symptoms of stomach or duodenal ulcers.

You can also try applying a warm compress to your stomach, such as a heating pad or warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. This can help alleviate pain and cramping. Moreover, drinking a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice can help to soothe an upset stomach.