# Will You Drink "Flat" Soda? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [January 12, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705 "2010-01-12T20:14:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/21 "2010-01-13T05:12:27Z")
I rearely drink soda anymore, but when I did, I drank it primarily for the caffeine and didn’t care if it was fizzy or not. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/22 "2010-01-13T05:47:50Z")
> [@Surly\_Chick](#): > > I also drink intentionally flat 7-Up when I have the stomach flu. I can’t stand ginger ale and 7-Up seems to help as long it’s flat. Why is that? What’s up with drinking flat pop when you’re sick? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/23 "2010-01-13T06:02:15Z")
It’s wet and will wash down my medicine. I may not enjoy it, but I don’t enjoy the medicine, either. ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/24 "2010-01-13T06:17:39Z")
I am a Diet Pepsi addict. I drink Diet Pepsi often to the exclusion of water and in quantities that is certainly not healthy. I always have a soda. Always. I will set my open soda on my nightstand when I go to bed (the way some people keep a glass of water) and drink the rest when I wake up. In fact my getting out of bed routine is: wake up, stretch, reach for my Diet Pepsi, sip, yawn then get up. I also tend to “lose” my sodas- set it down in one room and then forget and get a new one from the fridge. When I come across a “lost” soda I will continue drinking it despite how long it has been out (never too long, its not like my house is littered with soda cans or anything ;)). I prefer a fresh, bubbly drink, but flat and/or warm is okay too. I don’t really mind either way as long as I get my fix. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/25 "2010-01-13T11:04:36Z")
I don’t like the bubbles, but I use flat gingerale for upset stomachs. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/26 "2010-01-13T12:21:35Z")
I had some a couple of weeks ago. For some reason it tasted revolting, even though all it lacked was the effervescence. I had hoped to be able to tolerate it, because it ought to have been fine to drink. Nope, 'twas not acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/27 "2010-01-13T12:26:04Z")
Flat- Yes, absolutely. Warm? No way. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/28 "2010-01-13T13:52:51Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Why is that? What’s up with drinking flat pop when you’re sick? For some reason it helps settle my stomach. I drink it flat so there’s no burping which can be a bad thing when you’ve spent the day horking. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/29 "2010-01-13T16:16:26Z")
I’m surprised people drink it flat for an upset stomach or flu. When I was a kid, the only time we had 7-Up or ginger ale was for an upset stomach . . . specifically because of the carbonation. Otherwise we rarely had soda in the house. ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/30 "2010-01-13T16:38:55Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’m surprised people drink it flat for an upset stomach or flu. When I was a kid, the only time we had 7-Up or ginger ale was for an upset stomach . . . specifically because of the carbonation. Otherwise we rarely had soda in the house. We always used 7-up for upset stomach or general “sick” feeling too, and also for the carbonation I think. But now, to this day I cannot drink 7-up _unless_ I am ill, otherwise it makes feel nauseous. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/31 "2010-01-14T01:49:23Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’m surprised people drink it flat for an upset stomach or flu. When I was a kid, the only time we had 7-Up or ginger ale was for an upset stomach . . . specifically because of the carbonation. Otherwise we rarely had soda in the house. Same here. The belching is sometimes the only thing that relieves the nausea. (And flat pop sucks. Unless you have tons of ice, and even then it ain’t so great) ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/32 "2010-01-14T01:59:36Z")
I don’t like to throw out food or beverage unless they’ve become unsafe to consume, so I’d drink it while silently berating myself for letting it go flat in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/33 "2010-01-14T03:27:41Z")
Certainly depends on the drink. Mountain Dew tastes kinda like really sweet Gatorade when it goes flat. Root Beer, on the other hand, is pretty ok with some ice in it. ---
**Author:** ![My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@My\_Darn\_Snake\_Legs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/My_Darn_Snake_Legs)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/34 "2010-01-14T03:30:14Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’m surprised people drink it flat for an upset stomach or flu. When I was a kid, the only time we had 7-Up or ginger ale was for an upset stomach . . . specifically because of the carbonation. Otherwise we rarely had soda in the house. Yeah, we drank it fizzy when we had upset stomachs. It’s probably useful when it’s flat too. When you’re throwing up a lot you might need the sugars and stuff that are in there even when the fizz is gone. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/35 "2010-01-14T03:35:33Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > The only soda I would not drink flat was ginger ale. Ginger ale without the fizz is sugar water, which is just gross. I’m the opposite. I like my gingerale a little on the flat side. I’ll open it and let it sit a short time before drinking it, but I still prefer some carbonation. Otherwise? No, really don’t like flat pop. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/36 "2010-01-14T03:58:14Z")
Sure. I also prefer my soda to be room temperature. ---
**Author:** ![cstamets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@cstamets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cstamets)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/37 "2010-01-14T04:43:30Z")
I won’t drink flat pop, but I don’t throw it out, either. I usually buy 2 liter bottles. On the rare occasion that one goes flat, I’ll open the next one and mix half and half flat with the new bottle. Gives the flat enough bubbles to be drinkable, if I don’t let it sit around. Upon rereading, that sounds like one of those stupid hints from Heloise… oh well, posting anyway… ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/38 "2010-01-14T04:47:33Z")
Blergh!!! No way. Flat soda goes right down the drain. I hate buying the large 2 liter bottles of Coke because it always goes flat so quickly. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705/39 "2010-01-14T04:48:10Z")
NO! It’s just wrong! Flat and warm is even worse. Flat, warm, and a cigarette butt in it is beyond the pale. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-you-drink-flat-soda/524705.md?page=1)