Answer – Health Literacy Pop Quiz

Question

If you had a case of the stomach flu, should you drink plain water, ginger ale, or half-strength apple juice?

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Answer

See the table below. Ginger ale is likely a poor choice because it does not contain any significant ginger (which has been found to be an anti-nauseant). The sugar would pull fluids into the guts and possibly worsen diarrhea.

The most important thing is to replenish the fluids and electrolytes (the essential minerals your body needs but is losing) and to drink small amounts of liquid frequently. Getting calories from solid food is much less important in the first few days of illness.

Drink more than just plain water. If you think of your sweat and how salty that is, it gives you some idea of what you’re losing through vomit and diarrhea. You can easily buy packages of oral rehydration salts (such as Gastrolyte) that you mix with water yourself, or pre-mixed solutions such as Pedialyte. There are even Pedialyte freezies that some kids enjoy more, and they are great because you can’t consume too much too quickly when they are frozen.

Here are some other solutions with my comments:

GREAT	Oral rehydration salts (such as Gastrolyte)	Convenient and cost-effective, especially when you mix it yourself
GREAT	Oral rehydration pre-mixed solutions	Ready to use.
FAIR	Half-strength apple juice (half apple juice with half water).1	For mild and early symptoms.
FAIR	Half-strength Gatorade (half Gatorade with half water)
POOR	Homemade combinations of salt, sugar, and water.	Errors in mixing could cause harm if measurements are incorrect
POOR	Plain water.	No electrolytes. This can become a problem if the body’s sodium and potassium levels get too low.

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