Best Drinks for Stomach Aches

Plain water, oral rehydration solution, and ginger tea are three useful options for stomach aches, especially when drinking enough is difficult. The AI symptom analyzer can help you organize symptoms, but it cannot diagnose the cause or replace medical care.

A drink may help you stay hydrated or feel more comfortable, but it will not necessarily address the cause of pain. Explore other natural remedies by health goal if you are looking for general self-care ideas.

What are the 6 best drinks for stomach aches?

The best choice depends on what else is happening. Plain water is a starting point when you can drink normally; an oral rehydration solution is more useful when vomiting or diarrhea is causing fluid loss. The teas and broth below are alternatives to try if they appeal to you and do not make symptoms worse.

None is a proven cure for stomach aches in general. New, severe, or worsening abdominal pain needs medical attention rather than repeated attempts to settle it with a drink.

1. Plain water

Water replaces fluid without adding caffeine, acid, or much else that might irritate an already uncomfortable stomach. If you feel nauseated, small, frequent sips may be easier to tolerate than a large glass at once. Choose cool, room-temperature, or warm water according to your preference.

Water supports hydration, but there is no reason to expect it to relieve every stomach ache or correct its cause. If you have substantial fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea, water alone may not replace the salts you have lost.

If plain water is unappealing, lightly flavored detox water for stomach aches is another option, although acidic fruit can bother some people. Infused water does not detoxify the body: the liver and kidneys do most of that work.

2. Oral rehydration solution

An oral rehydration solution contains a balance of water, salts, and sugar designed to help the gut absorb fluid. It is especially useful when diarrhea or vomiting is causing fluid and electrolyte losses. It is not usually necessary for a mild stomach ache when you are eating and drinking normally.

Use a commercially prepared solution and follow the package directions exactly. If it is a powder, mix it with the stated amount of water; adding too much or too little changes the balance. Take small, frequent sips if drinking a larger amount makes you feel sick.

Oral rehydration is established care for replacing fluid lost through diarrhea. Its role is to prevent or address dehydration, not to directly treat the cause of abdominal pain. Ask a clinician for advice if an infant or young child may be dehydrated.

3. Ginger tea

Ginger is commonly used when nausea accompanies a stomach ache. A mild, caffeine-free ginger tea can be a soothing way to take in fluid, though its effects on general stomach aches are uncertain. Evidence about ginger supplements should not automatically be applied to a cup of tea.

Prepare the tea according to the package directions, let it cool to a comfortable temperature, and sip it slowly. Start with a weak preparation if strong flavors tend to make your nausea worse. Stop if it causes heartburn or increases discomfort.

Ginger tea is an option, not a substitute for rehydration solution when you are losing substantial fluid. For more on choosing a warm drink, see the best tea for stomach aches.

4. Peppermint tea

Peppermint contains menthol, which may relax muscles in the digestive tract. A caffeine-free peppermint tea also provides fluid, but the effects of the tea on stomach aches are not well established. Findings about concentrated peppermint products should not be assumed to apply to tea.

Prepare a mild tea according to the package directions and drink it warm or at another comfortable temperature. Sip slowly, and stop if the flavor or warmth makes you feel worse. Avoid adding caffeine or a large amount of sweetener when you are trying to keep the drink simple.

Peppermint can worsen heartburn or acid reflux in some people. If burning in your chest or sour fluid coming up into your throat is part of the problem, plain water may be a better first choice.

5. Clear broth

A simple clear broth provides fluid and some salt, which can be appealing when you do not feel ready for a meal. Choose a mild, lower-fat broth rather than a creamy, spicy, or very greasy soup. Let it cool enough to sip comfortably.

Broth can help you take in fluid, but its salt content varies and it does not have the controlled balance of an oral rehydration solution. Do not rely on it alone to replace substantial losses from vomiting or diarrhea. There is no good reason to expect broth to treat the cause of a stomach ache.

People who have been told to limit salt or fluids, including some people with heart or kidney disease, should follow their clinician's advice before using broth as a regular hydration option.

6. Chamomile tea

Chamomile is traditionally used as a calming herbal drink, and a mild cup can provide fluid when plain water is unappealing. Evidence that chamomile tea relieves stomach aches is limited, so any benefit for pain is uncertain. The drink is an option for comfort, not a treatment for an underlying condition.

Prepare a caffeine-free chamomile tea according to the package directions, allow it to cool, and try a few slow sips. Skip it if it makes you feel worse or if you know you are allergic to chamomile or related plants, such as ragweed.

Check with a clinician before using chamomile regularly if you are pregnant, giving it to a child, or taking medication such as warfarin, because herbal products can have interactions.

Which drinks should you avoid with a stomach ache?

Avoid alcohol while your stomach is upset: it can irritate the digestive tract and contribute to dehydration. Coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeinated drinks may also worsen discomfort for some people, particularly if they trigger reflux or make them feel jittery.

Carbonated drinks can increase belching or a bloated feeling. Acidic drinks, such as citrus juice, may aggravate heartburn, while very sugary drinks can make diarrhea worse. If any drink clearly increases your symptoms, stop it and try a simpler option.

Milk is not a problem for everyone, but it can cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea in people who do not tolerate lactose. What you eat matters too; see the best foods for stomach aches for related options.

How much should you drink for a stomach ache?

There is no single amount that relieves a stomach ache. Drink regularly according to thirst and what you can comfortably tolerate, unless a clinician has given you a fluid restriction. If you feel nauseated, take small sips frequently instead of forcing down a large drink.

When vomiting or diarrhea is causing fluid loss, use an oral rehydration solution as directed on its label. If you cannot keep fluids down, or you are urinating much less than usual or becoming dizzy, seek medical advice rather than trying to manage with drinks alone.

For more general comfort measures, see these home remedies for stomach aches and guidance on how to get rid of a stomach ache fast. A quick remedy should never delay care for concerning symptoms.

When should you see a doctor for a stomach ache?

Seek emergency care for sudden severe or worsening abdominal pain, a hard or markedly swollen abdomen, fainting or confusion, chest pain, blood in vomit or stool, or black, tarry stool. Severe pain during pregnancy, especially with vaginal bleeding, also needs urgent assessment.

Contact a clinician promptly if pain persists or worsens, you have a fever or persistent vomiting, or you notice signs of dehydration such as very little urine or dizziness. Pain focused in one area also deserves medical advice, particularly if it is getting worse.

Use extra caution for infants, young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a serious medical condition or a weakened immune system. For babies younger than 6 months, continue breast milk or usual formula and do not offer plain water unless a clinician advises it. If a child may be dehydrated or cannot keep fluids down, contact a clinician promptly.