IN SHORT: Several posts on social media claim that a mixture of salt, sugar and dry gin can cure cholera. But there is not enough evidence to support this claim. See a medical expert instead.
A Facebook post dated 7 July 2024 claims cholera can be cured with three teaspoons of salt, one teaspoon of sugar, and a half spoon of dry gin.
A part of the post reads: “Take three teaspoons of salt and one teaspoon of sugar, add half spoon of dry gin. Drink all as a single dose. The cholera will stop immediately.”
Similar posts can be found here and here. (Note: See more instances of this claim at the end of the report.)
But can a mixture of salt, sugar and dry gin cure cholera? We checked.
What is cholera?
Cholera is an acute infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The disease is characterised by severe diarrhoea and fast loss of bodily fluids and salts.
Salt helps maintain a proper balance of electrolytes and fluids, transports nutrients into cells, regulates the acid-base balance, supports the transmission of nerve impulses, controls blood pressure, and secretes gastric acid.
Sugar and starch derived from carbohydrates are used by the body to give glucose to the brain and provide energy to cells around the body
Dry gin, is a flavoured distilled liquor, made from purified spirits usually obtained from a grain mash and flavoured by the juniper berry.
Cholera outbreak in Nigeria
In 2024, several countries in Africa experienced cholera outbreaks, including Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) deemed cholera a public health emergency in June 2024. By 15 July, 3,623 suspected cases of cholera and 103 deaths had been reported in 34 states, including Lagos.
The outbreak has spread to 187 local government areas. The cumulative case fatality rate is 2.8% since the beginning of 2024 at the time of publication. (Note: The cumulative case fatality rate is the ratio of confirmed deaths to confirmed cases, or the proportion of those affected who die from the disease.)
Medical experts refute claim
Africa Check contacted Dr Folarin Opawoye, an infectious disease consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. He refuted the claim, saying that salt and sugar were the only things needed for the treatment of cholera.
“No, only one tablespoon of salt with six tablespoons of sugar, added to one litre of water to make oral rehydration solution, or ORS, can be used to treat cholera,” he said.
Africa Check also spoke to Dr Ijeoma Nwohiri, a registrar at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and a public health expert, who also debunked the claim.
“Absolutely not, normal ORS solutions for rehydration, not cure, should be constituted with one teaspoon of salt and six teaspoons of sugar in one litre of water."
She emphatically added: "The combination of salt and dry gin is a toxic mixture.”
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