Why Soda Calms an Upset Stomach
We’ve all been there before…we take our kids to school and next thing we know we’re getting called to pick them up because they are sick. This was my exact fate today. I dropped my daughter off at school and she was fine. I came home, started getting a few things done and next thing I know my phone is chipping at me with text messages. My daughter’s teacher told me she had an upset stomach and wasn’t sure if she felt that way before school. I immediately go into mommy will save the world mode and say “I’m on my way!!” Before I even made it out the door I receive another text saying she’s throwing up.
By now I can only imagine how awful my daughter feels. Let’s be real, who likes to throw up? None the less, who likes to throw up in a place other than your own house? Believe me, I know! From doing the same thing at school when I was a kid to all 3 of my pregnancies where I threw up multiple times a day for the entire pregnancy I know how awful it is to throw up elsewhere!
So…I grabbed a garbage can, change of clothes and told my boys to hurry up we had to go!! NOW!!! I arrived at school shortly after and she was laying on the “sick bed” with a blanket wrapped around her and her teacher standing by to comfort her.
As soon as I start to drive home she tells me in her little desperate voice that she wants me to stop and get Sprite to help her tummy. So of course I do – because my mom always had Sprite or 7Up for my siblings and I when we got sick. I got to thinking, drinking soda (or pop as I really call it) does work … but why? What is the magical power of soda that helps calm an upset stomach?
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After we got home and got everyone settled, my daughter drank some Sprite and then fell fast asleep. While she slept I got busy researching why does soda calm and upset stomach? I just had to know!

When you’re feeling nauseous or have an upset stomach, the last thing you want is a can of soda that’s going to make things worse. So, which sodas are best for an upset stomach?
The answer might surprise you – it turns out that almost any soda can help to calm an upset stomach. That’s because soda is often carbonated, and the carbonation can help to settle your stomach.
Of course, not all sodas are created equal. If you’re looking for a soda that will help to calm your upset stomach quickly, you’ll want to avoid sodas that are high in sugar or caffeine. Instead, opt for a soda that is light on the stomach, such as lemon-lime soda or flat soda.
Why Does Soda Calm an Upset Stomach?
Now that we know which sodas are best for an upset stomach, let’s take a closer look at why soda can help to calm an upset stomach in the first place.
- Ginger ale is good for your stomach mainly because of ginger root that is an ingredient in the ginger ale. Ginger helps to reduce nausea and vomiting
- The carbonation in soda can ease symptoms of indigestion. Carbonation can help to settle your stomach by relieving pressure and bloating
- The carbonation also makes you burp, which helps alleviate the gurgly grumbling tummy symptoms
- Another reason why soda may help to calm an upset stomach is because it can help to neutralize stomach acid. If you’re suffering from heartburn or acid reflux, drinking a soda can help to ease the pain by neutralizing the stomach acid that is causing the discomfort
You should also avoid sodas that are high in fructose corn syrup, as this can actually make stomach pain worse. Instead, opt for a soda that is made with natural sugar or no sugar at all.
If you’re looking for a way to calm an upset stomach, drinking a soda can be a good option. Just be sure to choose a soda that is light on the stomach and low in sugar and caffeine.
I would suggest only sipping on a small glass of soda – don’t drink the entire bottle because the high sugar content will end up making you “crash” and feeling worse later on.
What is the Best Soda For An Upset Stomach?
I’ve always thought that clear soda was a better option to settle an upset stomach than dark soda, however, some say that dark soda works just as well. At our house, we always go with a lemon lime soda, like Sprite, to settle upset stomaches.
Just be sure to choose an option that has no caffeine and is low in sugar.
What If You Get Dehydrated?
If you start to become dehydrated you need to switch to a drink that is high in electrolytes. I recommend Shaklee’s Performance – now called Hydrate. It has been clinically proven to:
- Minimizes fluid loss for enhanced hydration
- Maintains blood-glucose levels to sustain intense energy output and to increase stamina
Stomach aches are never any fun. Not fun for the person who is sick and not fun for the person who is cleaning up the mess! So be prepared and make sure you keep fluids on hand to help alleviate the symptoms fast!
…in the time it has taken me to write this, my daughter has since woken up and the first thing she said was that she feels better and is ready to go back to school! So there’s your proof…it works!! 🙂
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I too had tummy issues this week. When able to keep something down, the first think I reached for was my Shaklee Performance. It is great cold when other things upset your stomach and good hot when you have a cold or sore throat!!!
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