Best drinks for upset stomach and diarrhea

One of the most bothersome symptoms of migraine (as with pregnancy, chemo, and the flu) is an unsettled stomach — from gentle nausea, to vomiting, to dry heaves. When you think you can't stomach a bite of food, try one of these drinks for an upset stomach.

Nausea symptoms can run the spectrum from frequently annoying to downright disabling. It can be caused by food poisoning, a stomach bug, morning sickness, motion sickness, or something that just doesn't agree with your stomach.

Some people (like me) experience chronic nausea and severe abdominal pain for years before being diagnosed with a type of migraine known as abdominal migraine, which has no headache but frequent tummy troubles.

Fortunately, there are several ways to treat nausea.

Natural Remedies for Nausea May Save You a Trip to the Doctor and the Pharmacy

There are basically four ways to deal with nausea:

1. Taking prescribed medication;

2. Going to the drug store and finding an over-the-counter nausea reliever;

3. Resting and/or letting nausea run its course; or

4. Treating nausea with home remedies that incorporate food and drink.

If you're looking to go the more natural, home-remedy route, there are several drinks to reduce nausea that can be made and consumed at home.

"Natural therapies, like ginger, are suggested as an approach for mild nausea. But if you're to the point of vomiting, a prescription approach is typically required to gain effective control over nausea and vomiting," Andrew Charles, director of the Goldberg Migraine Program and professor of neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles, told Migraine Again.

What Is the Best Drink for Nausea?

These seven drinks that help relieve nausea can soothe your stomach when nothing else sits right. Unless you have food allergies or sensitivities, it's a low-cost, no-risk way of managing nausea.

Many people are surprised that just a simple glass of cold water can do the trick. Additionally, warm herbal teas such as ginger and peppermint are also among the best drinks for reducing nausea.

And even drinking soda works for some. These drinks may be able to help get rid of nausea better and faster than other remedies will.

7 Drinks That Help Relieve Nausea Quickly

1. Cold Water

One of the most reliable ways to relieve nausea is by slowly sipping a glass of ice water. The only reason NOT to try this faucet-accessible option is if your body is so cold that ice water could make you feel colder, or you have sensitive dental work.

For many people, ice is a powerful therapeutic aid. Good hydration is essential for brain and body health. If you don't like plain water, you can infuse your water for a bit of flavor and enjoy it all day long.

2. Lemon Juice and Lemonade

Lemon juice and lemonade are good drinks for nausea because lemons contain neutralizing acids, which form bicarbonates — compounds that help relieve nausea. (Note: Citrus can be a migraine trigger for some; track it and be sure it's safe for you.)

If nausea is a frequent problem for you, you may want to stock up on lemons at the supermarket and keep lemon wedges in your refrigerator. If you're using lemons frequently, be sure to talk to your dentist about oral care.

Lemonade is one of the best home remedies for nausea for children who are comforted by a sweet drink. However, the sugar content of lemonade doesn't make it a great choice for frequent consumption. It can lead to sugar addiction, unhealthy blood sugar spikes, reactive hypoglycemia, and more.

3. Soda

What fizzy drinks help nausea? All of them, potentially. 

While drinking soft drinks like Sprite can be soothing to the stomach for some, its carbonation can be irritating for others. Soda's high sugar content means it's maybe not the healthiest or best drink for nausea, but it can provide quick relief.

When choosing a soda, watch the caffeine and avoid artificial sweeteners, if possible. Here's what artificial sweeteners can do to your body, and which sweeteners are safer bets.

4. Baking Soda Brew

That innocent orange box in the back of your fridge is useful for more than neutralizing the stench of leftover food. As strange as it may sound, drinking baking soda dissolved in water is one way to reduce nausea and calm stomach acid.

Also known as bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate, baking soda gets its power from pH, the power of hydrogen to make something an acid or a base (alkaline). Because baking soda is an alkaline substance, it alters the pH level of the acids it comes in contact with — including those in your stomach. That's how it helps soothe an upset stomach quickly.

Baking soda can reduce the absorption of other medications, so wait two hours after you've taken oral medications to consume baking soda. It's not recommended for pregnant people or children under 6 years old.

To be safe, you should consult with your doctor, nurse, or telehealth or insurance nurse before using this remedy.

5. Herbal Teas

Can green tea help with nausea? Probably not. If brewed too strongly, green tea can actually irritate the stomach. Focus on herbal options when choosing a tea to reduce nausea, like ginger and peppermint.

Be sure to check the caffeine level first. Not all herbal teas are caffeine-free.

The taste of your herbal tea should suit your personal preference. You can find herbal teas that are fruity, minty or a bit spicy as your palate prefers. Some that are recommended include slippery elm, red raspberry, feverfew, barberry, catnip, alfalfa, chamomile, or mint.

Two of the most popular (and effective) herbal teas — ginger and peppermint — can also help relieve nausea.

Peppermint tea for nausea is a tried-and-true herbal remedy that is soothing to the stomach. “Peppermint is wonderful for nausea,” says Lauren Richter, DO, assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. 

6. Ginger Ale and Ginger Tea

Ginger houses a pharmacy of its own. The root has strong anti-inflammatory properties, settles the stomach, helps with nausea, and aids in digestion. For those who deal with frequent nausea attacks, it's an all-around powerhouse and must-have addition to your pantry. "It's an excellent treatment for nausea, especially in pregnancy,” says Dr. Richter.

Does ginger ale help with nausea? You betcha! Ginger ale can be purchased in advance and stocked in your pantry. Candied ginger is another option, just watch the sugar content.

Ginger tea won't have the sugar and offers the same benefits as ginger ale. It's super simple to make:

1. Shave, cut, and chop 1 to 2 inches of fresh ginger.
2. Boil the ginger in several cups of water for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Strain the tea with a strainer and drink the elixir.

If the tea is too spicy for you (ginger naturally has a kick), try adding a little bit of honey or reducing the amount of fresh ginger that you use. You can also buy tea bags with ginger at the store, but it's difficult to know exactly how much ginger you're consuming.

Making it at home from scratch is the best way to ensure you're drinking enough to be effective. I sometimes make a large batch of ginger tea and store it in my fridge to drink throughout the week whenever I feel queasy.

Ginger is generally considered to be safe, but the lack of complete understanding about its mechanisms of action suggests that you should check with your clinician to see whether it can be incorporated into your treatment plan.

7. Pear Ginger Smoothie

This recipe from Alicia Wolf, aka The Dizzy Cook, is migraine-friendly and gentle enough for an upset stomach. It's the perfect way to get nutrients even when you may not be feeling your best.

This pear ginger smoothie is gentle on your stomach and includes the healing effects that ginger has on migraine. The pear will give you a bit of fiber, which generally helps digestion.

Plus, it's delicious. A pear complements the ginger nicely by adding just a touch of sweetness. Fresh arugula makes this recipe histamine-friendly without tasting too green. Spinach would make a good substitute. And hemp seeds provide a little protein to keep you full.

Get the recipe here.

Final Thoughts

The next time you experience nausea caused by morning sickness, a migraine attack, a hangover, or motion sickness, treat it with one of these drinks. Be sure to check in with your healthcare provider, though, before trying a natural remedy, especially if you're pregnant.

Nausea and vomiting can be debilitating, and these drinks can help reduce stomach discomfort and pain. Drinking plenty of liquids is important, and these drinks will help prevent dehydration. Combine them with other nausea-busting natural remedies like deep breathing, a bland diet, and fresh air for maximum relief.

When you feel sick try to avoid spicy foods and greasy foods that might worsen nausea. Carbohydrates and so-called white foods like rice, pasta, or bread are possibly more gentle on the stomach. To avoid a blood sugar crash, try pairing foods high in carbohydrates with foods high in protein — think toast with peanut butter or rice with a scrambled egg.

It's worth discussing with your clinician and stocking up on these home remedies for nausea on your next trip to the market — before a stomach ache strikes.

DISCOVER EVEN MORE

Why Migraine Makes You Sick: How to Overcome Nausea and Vomiting

How to Relieve an Upset Stomach Naturally

11 Drinks That Will Help Your Headache

Ginger for Migraine is Effective, Easy to Use, and Inexpensive