What Drink Helps Your Stomach Feel Better? Exploring Soothing Beverages for Digestive Relief

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, staying hydrated is one of the most important factors for proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health. When digestive discomfort strikes, knowing what drink helps your stomach feel better can provide significant and rapid relief.

Quick Summary

This article explores a variety of beverages known to soothe an upset stomach, reduce bloating and gas, and support gut health. It covers popular herbal teas, nutrient-rich broths, and probiotic drinks, detailing their benefits and preparation methods to help ease digestive issues.

Key Points

Prioritize Hydration: Drinking warm water is the simplest and most effective way to aid digestion, dilute stomach acid, and combat dehydration, which is a common cause of upset stomachs.
Herbal Teas Soothe Specific Symptoms: Ginger tea is excellent for nausea, peppermint tea helps with gas and bloating, and chamomile tea can relieve cramps and inflammation.
Boost Gut Health with Probiotics: Fermented drinks like kombucha and kefir introduce beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome and improve overall digestion.
Nourish and Repair with Broth: Bone broth is rich in collagen and amino acids that can help soothe and repair the gut lining, making it ideal for a sensitive stomach.
Replenish with Electrolytes: Coconut water is a natural hydrator rich in electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, which supports proper digestion and can prevent constipation.
Avoid Common Irritants: Reduce or avoid sugary drinks, excessive caffeine, and alcohol, as they can irritate the stomach lining and worsen digestive issues.

The Foundational Role of Hydration

At the root of most digestive distress is often dehydration. Water is essential for every cell lining the digestive tract, facilitating the smooth movement of food and waste through your system. Warm water, in particular, has been shown to aid gut bacteria and gently stimulate digestion. For a simple yet effective boost, a glass of warm water can help dilute excess stomach acid and reduce burning sensations.

The Soothing Power of Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are a time-honored remedy for stomach discomfort, offering soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. They provide a gentle, natural way to relieve various symptoms.

Ginger Tea: Widely known for its ability to combat nausea and vomiting, ginger tea contains compounds like gingerol that speed up stomach contractions, helping food move through more quickly. It also has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can calm an irritated stomach lining.
Peppermint Tea: This tea is a go-to for those suffering from bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. The menthol in peppermint relaxes the muscles of the gut, which helps relieve spasms. However, those with acid reflux should be cautious, as it can sometimes relax the esophageal sphincter, potentially worsening heartburn.
Chamomile Tea: Famous for its calming effects, chamomile tea can also soothe the digestive system. Its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties help relax stomach muscles, easing cramps and painful spasms.
Fennel Tea: With its licorice-like flavor, fennel tea can be effective for reducing gas, bloating, and cramps. Its compounds relax the gut muscles, supporting proper digestion.

Probiotic and Fermented Beverages

For long-term gut health, incorporating probiotic-rich drinks can be highly beneficial. These beverages introduce beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome and improve overall digestion.

Kombucha: This fizzy, fermented tea is rich in probiotics and antioxidants. It can support a healthy gut flora and aid in nutrient absorption. When choosing kombucha, opt for low-sugar varieties, as excessive sugar can sometimes exacerbate gut issues.
Kefir: A fermented dairy product, kefir is an excellent source of probiotics that help soothe the gut and promote a healthy bacterial balance. For those with lactose intolerance, many plant-based versions are now available.
Yogurt Smoothies: A simple banana smoothie with yogurt can introduce live active cultures to help restore balance in your stomach. Yogurt's probiotics are well-regarded for their ability to improve digestive comfort.

Nourishing Broths and Juices

When your stomach is particularly sensitive, nutrient-rich liquids that are easy to digest can provide relief and essential vitamins.

Bone Broth: This nourishing liquid is rich in collagen, gelatin, and amino acids like glycine and glutamine, which can help soothe and repair the gut lining. It's gentle on the stomach and provides crucial nutrients when a full meal is too much.
Coconut Water: Known for its hydrating properties, coconut water contains beneficial electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. It can aid proper digestion and its natural alkalinity can help neutralize excess stomach acid, providing relief from acid reflux.
Aloe Vera Juice: With anti-inflammatory and healing properties, pure aloe vera juice can be very soothing for stomach irritation. It may help relieve symptoms of acid reflux and gastritis, but should be consumed in moderation.

Choosing Your Stomach-Soothing Drink: A Comparison

To help you decide which drink is best for your specific issue, here is a comparison of some popular options.


Drink	Primary Benefits	Best For	Potential Side Effects
Ginger Tea	Nausea relief, anti-inflammatory	Nausea, motion sickness, general indigestion	May interact with blood thinners
Peppermint Tea	Reduces gas, bloating, and muscle spasms	Bloating, gas, IBS symptoms	Can worsen acid reflux
Chamomile Tea	Calming, anti-inflammatory, reduces cramps	Stomach cramps, spasms, stress-related issues	Allergic reactions in rare cases
Kombucha	Probiotic-rich, aids gut microbiome, antioxidant	Digestive balance, nutrient absorption	Can contain high sugar; carbonation may cause bloating
Bone Broth	Soothes gut lining, nutrient-rich	Sensitive stomach, gut lining repair, recovery	Flavor may not be for everyone
Coconut Water	Hydration, electrolytes, neutralizes acid	Dehydration, acid reflux, constipation	Start with small amounts, can have laxative effect in excess

Making the Right Choice for Your Stomach

When it comes to soothing an upset stomach, there's no single solution that works for everyone. The best approach is to identify your specific symptoms and choose a drink that directly addresses them. For instance, if you're dealing with nausea, ginger tea is a reliable choice, whereas peppermint is better suited for gas and bloating. For long-term gut health, incorporating fermented drinks or nutrient-dense broths can help build a more resilient digestive system.

Always start with simple options like warm water to rehydrate, and introduce other remedies slowly to see how your body reacts. Avoiding common irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks is also crucial for preventing further upset. By listening to your body and providing it with the right kind of liquid nutrition, you can effectively manage digestive discomfort and promote overall gut wellness.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from a healthcare professional. If you have persistent or severe digestive problems, consult with a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

While some people find that the bubbles in clear sodas can help release pressure, carbonated drinks can exacerbate bloating and gas in others. Opt for decaffeinated, non-carbonated teas or plain water as a safer alternative, or sip slowly and cautiously.

Non-fat milk can temporarily act as a buffer against stomach acid, but the fat in whole milk may relax the lower esophageal sphincter and worsen acid reflux. For those with lactose intolerance, milk can cause bloating and diarrhea. Low-fat yogurt with probiotics is a better option for soothing the gut.

Many people swear by apple cider vinegar (ACV) for digestion, but it must be diluted with water, as it is highly acidic and can irritate the esophagus. It may help some with indigestion but can worsen symptoms for those with acid reflux.

Ginger has natural anti-nausea properties and can often provide relief relatively quickly, within minutes to an hour. The active compounds help stimulate digestion and calm the stomach.

Both kombucha and kefir are fermented, probiotic-rich drinks that support gut health. Kombucha is a fermented tea, while kefir is a fermented milk product. Kefir is often higher in probiotics and naturally low in lactose.

Warm water is generally considered more beneficial for digestion as it helps to soothe the digestive tract. Cold water can sometimes slow down the digestive process.

Bland foods are often recommended, such as those in the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). Bananas provide potassium and pectin, which can help firm stool if experiencing diarrhea.