The decision to have Olympic swimmers race in Paris’ iconic Seine River has taken its toll on some of this year’s athletes, leading to backlash and vomiting among some competitors. But many of these swimmers, and the professionals around them, are recommending a unique beverage to fight off bacterial infections: Coca-Cola.
The popular soda has become a go-to choice for swimmers to decontaminate their bodies. Australian swimmer Moesha Johnson says the Coca-Cola myth is true Wall Street Journal“We usually have a Coke afterward to flush out the stuff.” As for Coke’s questionable antibacterial benefits, Johnson said, “I just do what the professionals around me tell me.”
American long-distance swimmer Katie Grimes expressed a similar sentiment, but she drinks Coca-Cola for its sugar-replenishing benefits for athletes rather than to fight infection. “My coach advised me to: [drink Coca-Cola] “To restore those glycogen levels right away,” he said. “Not Diet Coke, just Coke. Nothing does it better.”
The idea that Coca-Cola can neutralize bacteria has at least a weak scientific basis. Several doctors, Daily Also remember that a healthy stomach is more acidic than soda, and soda won't do much to kill the bacteria in your gut.
“These are young, athletic people, right? They're going to be healthy people whose stomach acids are going to be nice and strong,” says Dr. Maria Abreu, president of the American Gastroenterological Association.
Related: Olympic Athlete Arrested After Alleged Drug Deal in Paris
A study published in 2015 Republic Science Magazine He found some evidence that may support this old wives’ tale. The Seine waters are reportedly tested for high levels of E. coli, fecal bacteria, and more in the days leading up to events like triathlons. In their research, scientists discovered that cola combats some of these pathogens, as well as foodborne illnesses like salmonella.
“Cola was found to have a strong antibacterial effect on Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis. [and] “The bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica,” the article said. Still, they cautioned that there was no completely conclusive evidence of cola's effect on these bacteria or others not mentioned. “At the end of the study, no comparison could be made because there was no study of cola's antibacterial effects on various bacteria,” they said.
If you've made it out of the Seine River without contracting any illness (or needing to drink cola to fight off illness), consider yourself lucky.