Lionel Messi’s recreational drink of choice has sent the internet into a tizzy. The Argentinian footballer recently shared that he enjoys a glass of wine in his downtime, and often prefers mixing soda to it. In conversation with Luzu TV, Messi said, “I like wine, but if not, I have my usual: wine with Sprite (soda). So it hits fast.” Talking about why he likes such a strange combination, Messi said that it helps him relax under the Miami sun. “I am weirder than s*it. I really like being alone. The mess at home with the three kids running around everywhere ends up oversaturating me, and I like a moment of solitude,” he added.
Taking a cue from his admission, we decided to consult a health expert and found out what happens to the body if you consume wine and soda in combination. The answers had us surprised.
How does soda help wine ‘hit faster’?
Dr Pooja Pillai, Consultant – Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, explained that when you mix wine with soda and drink it together, the alcohol enters your body faster than usual. “This happens because soda is fizzy and contains carbon dioxide, which speeds up how quickly alcohol is absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream. As a result, you may feel drunk sooner even if you drink the same amount of wine,” she said.
According to her, this faster absorption can lead to stronger effects like dizziness, light-headedness, and poor balance. Some people may feel relaxed or happy at first, but this can quickly turn into tiredness or confusion. Your heart rate may increase slightly, and you may feel warm or flushed, she listed out.
Coca Cola (parent company of Sprite) shares have been skyrocketing ever since. (Source: X/@BowesChay)
Why should you be careful?
Mixing wine with soda can also irritate the stomach, said Dr Pillai, adding that the acidity of wine combined with the carbonation of soda may cause bloating, gas, heartburn, or acidity, especially in people with sensitive digestion or gastric issues. It can increase the risk of nausea or vomiting if consumed in excess.
“This combination also leads to dehydration because alcohol makes the body lose more water, and soda does not replace lost fluids properly. Dehydration can cause headache, dry mouth, and weakness the next day,” she said. To add to that, regularly mixing alcohol with soda can also increase calorie and sugar intake, especially if the soda is sweetened. This may contribute to weight gain and blood sugar spikes over time.
Thus, Dr Pillar highlighted how mixing wine with soda makes alcohol act faster on the body, increases digestive discomfort, and raises the chance of dehydration and hangover symptoms. “Drinking slowly, in small amounts, and with food can reduce these effects,” she advised.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
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