Why does soda help with nausea? A Look at the Myth and Reality

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

For decades, the common household remedy for an upset stomach has been a glass of ginger ale or flat cola, but experts warn that commercial sodas often do more harm than good. The question of why does soda help with nausea? is rooted in folklore rather than science, and understanding the facts is key to real relief.

Quick Summary

Many believe soda helps with nausea due to carbonation or tradition, but high sugar, caffeine, and artificial ingredients often worsen symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. Better options include real ginger, clear liquids, and bland foods.

Key Points

Sodas Are a Myth: Most commercial sodas, including ginger ale, contain minimal real ginger, and their perceived benefits are likely a placebo effect.
High Sugar Content Worsens Symptoms: The high sugar load in soda can aggravate symptoms like diarrhea and bloating, making your stomach issues worse.
Carbonation is a Double-Edged Sword: For some, carbonation provides temporary relief by promoting burping, but for others, it introduces more gas, leading to further discomfort.
Caffeine and Artificial Sweeteners are Harmful: Caffeinated sodas can irritate the stomach and worsen dehydration, while diet sodas with artificial sweeteners can cause digestive distress.
Better Alternatives Exist: Effective remedies include real ginger, peppermint tea, clear broths, and oral rehydration solutions, all of which are better for hydration and gut health.
Stay Hydrated with Clear Fluids: When nauseous, the primary goal is hydration, best achieved by sipping on water, clear broth, or electrolyte drinks, not sugary soda.

The Anecdotal Appeal: Why People Turn to Soda

When feeling nauseous, many people reach for a bottle of soda, particularly ginger ale or cola, as a comforting home remedy. This practice has been passed down through generations, creating a strong anecdotal belief in its effectiveness. For some, the cool, carbonated beverage can feel soothing and promote belching, which may release some pressure in the stomach and provide a momentary sense of relief. The mild, sweet flavor of sodas like lemon-lime can also be more palatable than other drinks or water when an individual's taste buds are sensitive.

Additionally, during periods of vomiting or diarrhea, the body loses fluids and glucose. Some believe that the sugar in soda helps replace lost glucose, while the fluid helps with rehydration. However, this is largely a misconception, as high sugar can actually exacerbate symptoms. The psychological comfort of relying on a familiar remedy—a placebo effect—can also play a significant role in why some individuals report feeling better after drinking soda.

The Scientific Reality: Why Soda Isn't a Cure

Despite its popular reputation, the supposed benefits of soda for nausea are mostly unproven, and medical experts often advise against it. The reasons soda may not be helpful, and can even be harmful, are numerous:

The Problem with High Sugar Content

Commercial sodas contain very high levels of sugar, including simple sugars like fructose. For a stomach already in distress, this large sugar load can trigger or worsen diarrhea, as it draws water into the digestive tract. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are scientifically formulated with an optimal balance of sugar and electrolytes for fluid replacement, unlike sugary sodas. The World Health Organization's guidelines for rehydration recommend significantly less glucose than is found in most sodas.

The Impact of Carbonation on the Gut

While some feel relief from burping, carbonation can actually introduce more gas into the gastrointestinal system, leading to increased bloating, pressure, and discomfort for many. For individuals with conditions like GERD or gastritis, the carbonation and acidity can irritate the stomach lining and worsen symptoms. The effect of carbonation is highly individual, making it an unreliable remedy.

The Caffeine and Artificial Ingredient Factor

Many colas are caffeinated, and caffeine can irritate the stomach lining, potentially exacerbating nausea and acid reflux. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which promotes fluid loss and can worsen dehydration—the opposite of what is needed when suffering from a stomach bug. In addition, diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which can be difficult for the digestive system to process and may lead to gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

Healthier Alternatives to Soda for Nausea Relief

Instead of reaching for soda, there are several more effective and safer options for alleviating nausea and staying hydrated.

Ginger: Real ginger root has anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties and has been used for centuries to calm the stomach. You can find it in teas, chews, or capsules for better results than commercial ginger ale.
Herbal Teas: Peppermint and chamomile teas are known for relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract, which can help reduce cramps and discomfort. The warmth of the tea can also be soothing.
Clear, Hydrating Fluids: Plain water, coconut water, or clear broth are excellent for staying hydrated and replacing lost electrolytes without the added sugar and carbonation. Sipping on ice chips is also a good strategy if keeping liquids down is difficult.
Electrolyte Solutions: Specifically designed oral rehydration solutions are the best way to replenish fluids and electrolytes lost from vomiting or diarrhea.
Bland Foods (BRAT Diet): The BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—consists of bland, low-fiber foods that are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach. Small, frequent snacks can prevent an empty stomach, which can sometimes make nausea worse.
Lemon: The scent and flavor of lemon can help counteract nausea. Sipping lemon water or even sniffing a fresh lemon can provide relief.

Comparison: Soda vs. Healthy Alternatives


Feature	Commercial Soda (e.g., Ginger Ale, Cola)	Healthy Alternatives (e.g., Ginger Tea, ORS)
Active Ingredient	Minimal to no real ginger; mostly artificial flavors	Real, potent ginger root or calming herbs like peppermint
Effectiveness	Anecdotal; placebo effect for many	Scientifically proven to aid digestion and reduce nausea
Hydration	Can contribute to dehydration due to high sugar/caffeine	Replenishes fluids and electrolytes efficiently
Bloating/Gas	Carbonation may increase gas and bloating for some	Non-carbonated, calming liquids help reduce discomfort
Sugar Load	Excessively high, can worsen diarrhea	Low to no added sugar; helps stabilize blood sugar
Side Effects	Worsening diarrhea, bloating, and dehydration	Minimal to none when consumed appropriately

Conclusion

While the tradition of using soda to combat nausea is strong, the scientific evidence suggests that it is not an effective solution and can often make symptoms worse. The high sugar content and carbonation can exacerbate digestive issues, and any relief experienced is more likely due to a placebo effect or the minimal hydration provided. For true relief, opt for scientifically-backed and gentle remedies such as fresh ginger tea, clear electrolyte drinks, or following a bland diet. Staying properly hydrated and choosing bland, non-irritating foods is the most reliable approach to managing nausea, as supported by numerous health organizations. Consult a healthcare professional if nausea is severe or persistent to rule out more serious issues.

For more guidance on managing nausea, refer to the American Cancer Society's resource on nutrition during treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The belief that flat soda can help settle an upset stomach is a common myth. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and medical experts often advise against it. The high sugar content can worsen diarrhea, and better rehydration options are available.

The belief stems from the fact that real ginger root is a proven anti-nausea agent. However, most modern, commercially available ginger ales contain very little, if any, real ginger, relying instead on flavorings. The perceived benefit is likely a placebo effect combined with the comfort of a familiar tradition.

Diet soda is not recommended for nausea. It contains artificial sweeteners, including sugar alcohols, that can ferment in the gut and cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea, which will only add to your discomfort.

The best drinks are clear, non-carbonated fluids that help with hydration without irritating the stomach. Examples include small sips of water, electrolyte solutions, clear broth, and herbal teas like peppermint or ginger.

Real ginger root contains active compounds like gingerol and shogaol, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties. It helps to accelerate stomach contractions, moving food through the digestive tract more quickly and easing discomfort.

Many people find cold liquids, sipped slowly, to be more tolerable when experiencing nausea. Sucking on ice chips can also be effective for staying hydrated if you're having trouble with drinking fluids.

You should consult a healthcare professional if your nausea lasts for more than a day or two, is accompanied by signs of dehydration (dizziness, reduced urination), severe pain, fever, or if you are unable to keep any fluids down.