Most of the time, the gastroenteritis comes from a very contagious virus that circulates mainly in autumn or winter. It causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting for two or three days. If these symptoms are very debilitating on a daily basis, they do not pose any danger. After this period of about 72 hours, they calm down in the vast majority of cases. “It is a frequent and benign condition but can cause significant dehydration, especially in the most fragile, such as infants and young children. says Dr. Julien Scanzi.
Why is coca effective in case of gastro?
Everyone has read or heard that one of the effective remedies for this is to drink some coca Cola. So, legend or reality? “In fact the interest of coca would be real in the event of gastroenteritis, a digestive infection most often viral causing diarrhea and / or vomiting. And against this dehydration the supply of water is not sufficient. It should be combined with sugar or salt to increase the moisturizing power, as well as ions and minerals to compensate for digestive losses from diarrhea and vomiting.Coca has therefore long been attributed these rehydration properties, and even an anti-aging power. – vomiting related to the presence of phosphoric acid, provided the gas is removed which would on the other hand tend to aggravate the digestive symptoms”, says the specialist.
In young children, prefer oral rehydration solutions (ORS)
The virtues of coca in case of gastroenteritis are therefore not totally usurped and logical if we stick to these explanations. However, it turns out that on a scientific level, the legend would not be completely founded. “Studies show that coca does not provide enough sodium and potassium”, emphasizes the doctor. To rehydrate, the cola drink would therefore not be a panacea. “It is better to favor children, because they are the ones who are at risk of severe dehydration, oral rehydration solutions (ORS)reimbursed by Health Insurance up to the age of 5, and which contain everything you need for optimal rehydration”, recommends Dr. Scanzi. Clearly, in anticipation of gastroenteritis, instead of storing cans of Coke, plan instead in your medicine cabinet for rehydration solutions… Read also: Advice for gastro in babies.
