Will drinking cola before a nucleic acid test result in a positive?

Under normal circumstances, drinking cola before taking a nucleic acid test will not cause a positive result—positivity is solely due to viral infection—but it may interfere with sampling accuracy. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional beforehand. Detailed analysis is as follows:

The core of nucleic acid testing is detecting viral nucleic acid fragments. Cola contains only sugar, water, carbonation, and similar components, none of which include viral nucleic sequences. Regardless of consumption, cola cannot generate a positive result out of nowhere; a positive result necessarily indicates the presence of a viral infection in the body. After normal consumption, as long as there is a sufficient interval before testing, its impact on results is minimal.

However, if sampling is conducted immediately after drinking cola, residual carbonation and sugar in the mouth may affect the swab's ability to collect viral material, potentially leading to insufficient sample concentration and possible false-negative results. Especially after consuming large amounts, the liquid may wash over the throat area, temporarily reducing local viral load and impairing test sensitivity.

To ensure accuracy, avoid drinking cola, water, or other beverages within 30 minutes prior to nucleic acid testing, and refrain from eating or chewing gum. Rinse your mouth with plain water before sampling to maintain oral cleanliness. If you accidentally consume any drinks before testing, wait an appropriate amount of time before proceeding with sample collection. In case of abnormal test results, promptly follow required retesting procedures to confirm accuracy.