What Does Drinking Sprite Help With?

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

While Sprite is often a go-to beverage for an upset stomach, medical professionals note that for proper rehydration, drinks specifically containing electrolytes are a better choice. This article explores what drinking Sprite helps with, detailing the temporary relief it can offer, its potential drawbacks, and healthier alternatives for common ailments.

Quick Summary

Drinking Sprite is a traditional remedy for nausea or upset stomachs, offering mild relief through hydration and carbonation, but it's high in sugar. While sometimes a palatable option when ill, it is not an ideal rehydration solution and may worsen some symptoms.

Key Points

Limited Benefit for Nausea: Drinking Sprite may offer minor, temporary relief for some individuals experiencing nausea, primarily due to its mild flavor and carbonation, which can help some people relieve gas.
Ineffective for Rehydration: Despite being a liquid, Sprite is not an effective solution for significant fluid and electrolyte loss from vomiting or diarrhea, as it is high in sugar and low in necessary minerals.
High Sugar Content: The substantial amount of sugar in regular Sprite can actually worsen symptoms like diarrhea and is linked to long-term health risks like obesity and diabetes.
Better Alternatives Exist: For proper rehydration and recovery, oral rehydration solutions, diluted juices, broths, and herbal teas are far more effective choices.
The Placebo Effect: For many, the association of Sprite with childhood care and illness relief can create a powerful, but temporary, psychological effect of feeling better.
Consider Sprite as a Last Resort: Due to its nutritional shortcomings and high sugar, Sprite should only be considered if a person cannot tolerate more beneficial fluids, and even then, only in small, diluted amounts.

The Folklore Behind Drinking Sprite When Sick

For decades, Sprite and other clear sodas have been a staple in the sick-day regimen. Many people grew up with a parent or caregiver offering a chilled glass of soda to help with an upset stomach or nausea. The appeal is understandable: its mild, sweet lemon-lime flavor is often more palatable than plain water when you're feeling unwell. The effervescence is also believed to soothe the stomach, though this effect is largely anecdotal and dependent on the individual.

The Science Behind the Temporary Relief

There are a few reasons why drinking Sprite might offer a perception of relief:

Hydration: When vomiting or experiencing diarrhea, the body loses a significant amount of fluid, leading to dehydration. Any liquid intake can help address this, and if Sprite is the only thing a person can tolerate, it is better than nothing. However, it is not the most effective option.
Carbonation: For some, the burping that accompanies drinking a carbonated beverage can relieve a feeling of bloating or gas pressure in the stomach, offering momentary comfort. For others, however, the carbonation can make nausea worse or exacerbate issues like acid reflux.
Sugar: The sugar in regular Sprite provides a quick, temporary energy boost, which can combat the fatigue that often comes with illness. For individuals with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), this can provide a necessary glucose boost. The downside is a potential sugar crash afterward.
Palatability: The pleasant, mild flavor and refreshing cold temperature can make it easier to sip and keep down compared to water or other fluids with a stronger taste. This is particularly true for children.

The Significant Drawbacks and Risks

Despite its popular use, Sprite is far from an ideal solution for most health issues. The high sugar content and lack of beneficial nutrients pose several risks and limitations.

High Sugar Content: A single 12-ounce can of regular Sprite can contain as much as 38 grams of sugar, easily exceeding daily recommended limits for added sugar intake. Excess sugar can worsen diarrhea, creating a vicious cycle during stomach flu. It also contributes to long-term health problems like weight gain, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Lack of Electrolytes: For true rehydration after vomiting or diarrhea, the body needs electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which are lost along with fluids. Sprite is very low in these crucial minerals, making it an inadequate tool for effective rehydration.
Nutritional Void: Sprite offers virtually no nutritional value beyond sugar and calories. It does not provide the vitamins and minerals needed to help the body recover from illness. For this reason, it is not a suitable long-term replacement for food and more nutritious fluids.
Dental Erosion: The acidic nature of soda can erode tooth enamel over time, increasing the risk of cavities and other dental problems.

Sprite vs. Proper Rehydration Solutions

To illustrate why Sprite is not the best choice for hydration when sick, consider a direct comparison with purpose-built rehydration options.


Feature	Sprite (Regular)	Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) or Electrolyte Drink
Primary Function	Provides temporary comfort and liquid intake.	Restores body fluids and balances electrolytes lost during illness.
Sugar Content	Very high; can worsen diarrhea.	Optimized glucose levels to facilitate water and electrolyte absorption.
Electrolyte Balance	Insufficient levels of sodium and potassium.	Specifically formulated with a proper balance of electrolytes.
Nutritional Value	Minimal to none.	Some products may contain additional vitamins.
Ideal Use	Occasional, palatable fluid when nothing else is tolerated.	Primary choice for combating dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.
Long-Term Health	High consumption linked to health risks.	Formulated for safe and effective short-term rehydration.

Healthier and More Effective Alternatives

For optimal recovery, especially from conditions involving fluid loss, several better options exist:

Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): These are the gold standard for treating dehydration caused by illness, containing the proper balance of electrolytes and sugar for maximum absorption. Brands like Pedialyte are readily available.
Diluted Juice: Diluted apple or grape juice can be a better option, especially for children who find ORS unpalatable. The lower sugar concentration helps prevent worsening diarrhea.
Broth or Bouillon: These savory fluids are rich in sodium and other minerals, which are great for replenishing electrolytes, especially for those who find sweet drinks unappealing.
Herbal Tea: Chamomile or ginger tea can be soothing for an upset stomach. Ginger, in particular, has well-documented anti-nausea effects.
Plain Water: While it won't replace lost electrolytes, water is always essential for basic hydration. Sucking on ice chips can also be an effective way to rehydrate slowly if a person has trouble keeping liquids down.

Conclusion

While the tradition of drinking Sprite when sick persists, and it can offer temporary comfort through hydration and carbonation, it is not the most effective remedy. Its high sugar content and lack of electrolytes can be counterproductive, potentially worsening symptoms like diarrhea. For genuine rehydration, especially when recovering from stomach flu or severe vomiting, medically formulated oral rehydration solutions or healthier, low-sugar alternatives are the superior choice. Sprite should be considered a last resort if nothing else can be tolerated, and only in small, diluted quantities. For more information on managing illnesses and proper rehydration, consult the resources provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other medical professionals.

The Power of the Placebo Effect

One final point is the potent effect of the placebo effect. As noted on Quora, for many people, the association of a cold glass of Sprite with being cared for as a child can create a powerful psychological link to feeling better. This comfort can absolutely contribute to a person's perceived improvement, regardless of the drink's actual medicinal value. This psychological comfort is a genuine part of many home remedies and should not be discounted, but it does not replace the physiological needs of a sick body.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no definitive evidence that flat Sprite is better. While it removes the gas that can cause bloating for some, it still contains high levels of sugar and lacks the necessary electrolytes for proper rehydration.

While any liquid can provide some hydration, Sprite is not the best choice for treating dehydration. Its high sugar content can worsen diarrhea, and it lacks the balanced electrolytes needed for effective fluid replacement.

This can be a combination of factors, including a mild placebo effect, temporary comfort from the carbonation, a palatable flavor when other foods are unappealing, and a brief sugar boost.

For an upset stomach, better alternatives include oral rehydration solutions, diluted fruit juice, clear broths, and herbal teas like ginger or chamomile.

During a cold or flu, staying hydrated is key. While Sprite can contribute to fluid intake, water and herbal teas are better options. Sprite offers no medicinal benefits for the illness itself and its sugar content is not ideal.

Sprite Zero, with its lack of sugar, avoids the diarrhea-worsening effects of regular soda. However, it still lacks the necessary electrolytes to be a truly effective rehydration tool.

Yes, excessive consumption of Sprite can lead to negative health effects such as weight gain, type 2 diabetes, dental erosion, and inadequate rehydration due to its high sugar and lack of nutrients.