# Coca-Cola for a tummy ache? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530 "2003-11-27T05:08:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sundownmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@sundownmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sundownmich)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/1 "2003-11-27T05:08:31Z")
My dear hubby insists that any time our children have a stomach ache they drink some Coca-Cola. Something in cola is supposed to calm an upset stomach. Has anyone else heard this, and do you have any info to back up such a claim? ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/2 "2003-11-27T05:14:46Z")
Its the bubbles. Sure tastes better than sodium bicarbonate…I’d rather have a Coke than an Alka-Seltzer. ---
**Author:** ![Z\_Al](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/41988e/32.png) [@Z\_Al](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Z_Al)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/3 "2003-11-27T05:24:21Z")
Ditto last post. ---
**Author:** ![Petrichor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@Petrichor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrichor)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/4 "2003-11-27T05:26:35Z")
When I was growing up my father always gave me ginger ale when I was sick. It seemed to make me feel better. A few years ago when I had surgery on my jaw, I was told to drink ginger ale if I was feeling nausaus after the surgery. ---
**Author:** ![sundownmich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@sundownmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sundownmich)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/5 "2003-11-27T05:28:54Z")
I could see where it would be beneficial if you had some trapped gas and just needed a good burp. But are there any other benefits to cola other than its effervescence? ---
**Author:** ![doctordoowop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@doctordoowop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doctordoowop)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/6 "2003-11-27T05:36:41Z")
Not just the bubbles. Coke worked so well for nausea, that it was specially marketed & sold in small bottles as “Coke Syrup” in the medicine area. Not sure if this was any different than used in soft drinks-I know it worked for me. I haven’t seen any lately. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/7 "2003-11-27T05:37:55Z")
Coke or Sprite always make me feel better. Flat (opening it and letting the bubbles go away) Coke seems to work for my girlfriend. ---
**Author:** ![einstein\_s\_lovechild\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@einstein\_s\_lovechild\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/einstein_s_lovechild_1)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/8 "2003-11-27T05:44:47Z")
But if the stomach ache is caused by excess acidity, coca cola is going to make it worse. ---
**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/9 "2003-11-27T06:17:52Z")
Coke syrup can be purchased at pharmacies, and I’ve seen it in a catalogue. I’m a “Non-bubble” guy if taking Coke for an upset stomach. I empty a can of Coke into a big bowl and beat it with a whisk until it’s flat. Drink a mouthful every 15 minutes or so. The syrup is easier and works faster. Ginger ale is good too, but a cup of warm gingerroot tea is even better, since it provides more of the antispasmodic properties ginger is known for. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/10 "2003-11-27T06:50:49Z")
My parents always gave me 7-up when I was feeling poorly. I’m going to look for Coke syrup, though. I’ve never heard of it and it sounds nifty. ---
**Author:** ![Insecta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3da27b/32.png) [@Insecta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Insecta)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2003, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/11 "2003-11-27T06:55:14Z")
Coke is also a good way to _avoid_ a stomach ache, because in ares of many developing countries its the only source of liquid you can rely on! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/12 "2003-11-28T15:22:23Z")
7-Up or Sprite usually works better than Coke for me. But even better is ginger ale. Best is ginger beer, because it has more ginger. Ginger has a calming effect on the stomach. ---
**Author:** ![Mort\_Furd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mort\_Furd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mort_Furd)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/13 "2003-11-28T15:31:58Z")
Don’t know about all that, but it helps if you have the runs. Some years ago, on the evening before my first day on a new job, I went to a party at a friend’s house. I ended up with a weak case of food poisoning, and spent most of the night alternately hanging my head and my ass over the toilet. By the time I needed to go to work, I was no longer puking - I did have to concentrate on keeping my butt shut, though. I went to work (I didn’t want to call in sick on the first day,) and drank coke as often as I could. That eased things enough that I made it through the day with no accidents. The next day, all was well. I seem to remember reading that coke (and pepsi) syrup were used at times when there were outbreaks of dysentery - pretty much for the reason that I drank coke. It somehow settles the stomach and helps keep the butt shut. How much truth there is to it I couldn’t say. Anecdotal evidence, and a vague memory. Maybe it will help someone if the search for the truth. ---
**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/14 "2003-11-28T15:43:52Z")
Though cola itself is acidic, it is mildly acidic compared to stomach acid, and might diminish even acid-based irritation through dilution. Moreover, the bicarbonate buffer system (the most important pH regulating reaction in the human body) allows cola (or human fluids containing CO2 from respiration) to buffer the acid directly. The acidity of coke primarily comes from the CO2 dissolved in water CO2 + H2O \<-\> H2CO3 [carbonic acid] \<-\> H+ + HCO3- [bicarbonate] \<-\> 2H+ + CO3– If you add excess H+ (acid) to this system, it will turning HCO3- (a conjugate base) into carbonic acid, and releasing carbon dioxide and water from the carbonic acid (a weak acid). It’s a equilibrium. Excess alkaline wil be reduced by the reaction going in the other direction. This buffering acid is what allows antacids to buffer strong stomach acid without being corrosively dangerous alkali themselves. Soda is far from an ideal buffer. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or the carbonates used in antacids work better, since they are not already acid, but carbonated beverages might work for mild discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/15 "2003-11-28T18:04:11Z")
Original coca-cola syrup contained extract from the coca leaf from which cocaine is “distilled.” Chewing coca leaf or drinking coca tea settles the stomach. My guess is that drinking Coke syrup had the same effect. Today, the practice may produce a mostly placebo effect since Coca-Cola no longer uses the coca leaf in its formula. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/16 "2003-11-28T18:40:08Z")
I have no idea about the science involved but whenever we had tummyaches, my Grandmother always gave us flat Coke and I still do the same thing with my kids. It seems to work and it tastes better than medicine for damn sure. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/17 "2003-11-28T19:00:11Z")
I seem to recall–vaguely–some kind of OTC medicine for stomachache that was basically just cola syrup. Anyone got a name/know what I’m talking about? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/18 "2003-11-28T20:31:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cillasi \* > \*\*Original coca-cola syrup contained extract from the coca leaf from which cocaine is “distilled.” Chewing coca leaf or drinking coca tea settles the stomach. My guess is that drinking Coke syrup had the same effect. > > Today, the practice may produce a mostly placebo effect since Coca-Cola no longer uses the coca leaf in its formula. \*\* Actually they still do use coca _leaves_; it’s just that the cocaine related alkaloids are removed first. I’ve seen cola syrup sold especially for treating nausea–not Coca-Cola, specifically, but it was still cola syrup. My guess is that the cola nut also contains other pharmacologically active ingredients besides the caffeine. Perhaps **Qadgop** will be along with the straight dope shortly. (If he’s already been here, I apologize. I had this response open for a long time.) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/19 "2003-11-29T02:40:56Z")
Carbonated water helps burping, which can alleviate nausea. Absorption of the CO[sub]2[/sub] also tends to speed gastric emptying, which can reduce nausea. So it’s quite common that many people recommend carbonated water for nausea treatment. In my area (upper midwest), clear sodas were preferred. As for coca cola syrup, it’s quite popular too, along with ginger root or ginger syrup. I haven’t been able to find any studies on its efficacy however. ☹ Hey, go with what works. Coke makes me barf. Ginger beer restores me. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coca-cola-for-a-tummy-ache/215530/20 "2003-11-29T04:27:32Z")
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