Can I drink sugar water for acute gastroenteritis? When acute gastroenteritis occurs due to different reasons such as improper diet or change of soil and water, the patient may experience significant nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and the large amount of diarrhea and vomiting may even cause disorders of water, nutrients and electrolytes. As a nutrient that can replenish the body with a variety of beneficial components, drinking sugar water is good for recovery when you are in acute gastroenteritis. It is possible to drink white sugar water because it can replenish glucose and electrolytes, which can relieve the dehydration caused by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.