Drinking cola to combat nausea - does it really help or is it just a myth?
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Cola and salt sticks are often recommended as home remedies for diarrhoea. Cola is also said to help with nausea and gastrointestinal problems.
But unfortunately this is just a myth.
Cola consists of sugar, water, carbon dioxide, flavourings, caffeine, colourings and phosphoric acid. The sugar in cola is initially absorbed into the bloodstream and provides the body with energy. This makes you feel better quickly at first. About 40 minutes later, the caffeine also takes effect and the body produces the happiness hormone dopamine. This suddenly makes you feel much better.
But this is a fallacy - because after about an hour, the sugar in the cola ensures that you have to urinate more often. This is counterproductive for diarrhoea, as the body loses fluids and electrolytes, which it urgently needs.
To combat nausea, it helps to give the stomach something to do, but only a light meal such as rusks or a banana. It is best to drink a cup of peppermint tea or ginger tea with it.
Sometimes it is also enough to take a few deep breaths. This somewhat suppresses the vomiting centre in the brain and can prevent vomiting.
