Myth ‘Cola and pretzel sticks as a therapy for acute gastroenteritis?’

It is not uncommon for home remedies to be recommended for diarrhoea – such as the popular combination of cola and pretzel sticks. However, in cases of acute gastroenteritis, which frequently occurs in infants and young children, this approach can actually worsen the situation.

Cola and pretzel sticks are not suitable as a treatment for acute gastroenteritis, and professional medical societies advise against their use.

In acute gastroenteritis, diarrhea (with or without vomiting) leads to a combined loss of fluids and electrolytes, posing a significant risk of dehydration for infants and children and potentially resulting in serious, health-threatening complications. Cola beverages have an entirely inadequate electrolyte and glucose composition, are often highly hyperosmolar, and are therefore unsuitable for treating a dehydrated child. The sugar in cola may even exacerbate fluid loss by inducing osmotic diarrhea, while pretzel sticks fail to provide the necessary electrolytes in sufficient amounts.

When acute gastroenteritis is clinically diagnosed, the treating physician determines the appropriate course of action based on the individual situation. Guideline-based oral rehydration solutions are recommended, as they effectively restore fluid and electrolyte balance.