Can Flat Soda Really Ease an Upset Stomach?

Contrary to popular belief, drinking flat soda when you have an upset stomach might do more harm than good. The NY Times reports that a when British researchers studied this claim to see if there was any evidence supporting, they found none.

Over the counter re-hydration solutions contain a very low amount of sugar, and high level of electrolytes. When analyzed, soft drinks like colas contained low amounts of electrolytes, potassium, sodium, and it contained seven times the healthy amount of glucose recommended for rehydration.

The World Health Organization mentions:

“Carbonated drinks, flat or otherwise, including cola, provide inadequate fluid and electrolyte replacement and cannot be recommended,”

Insulin Injections Help Decrease Progression in Early Diabetes

According to a Chinese study conducted which is mentioned in this article in BBC News, patients with type 2 diabetes who had an initial course of insulin injections did better than those who only received oral diabetes tablets.

During the trial, one group was administered daily insulin injections for a period of two weeks while the other group only received anti-diabetic tablets. After a year, 45% of those given insulin injections were able to maintain a healthy glucose level, but only 27% of those who took the tablets were able to maintain a healthy glucose level.

Pav Pank, care advisor at Diabetes UK mentions:

"The research shows that considering using insulin early when people are first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes might be an additional way to achieve good diabetes management. Nevertheless decisions about treatment need to be made on an individual basis for each patient."

More research will have to be done though, before any conclusions and practices begin to be advocated.