Coca-Cola Dissolves Gastric Bezoars: The Unexpected Treatment

Coca-Cola has an unexpected use case: treating gastric phytobezoars. Phytobezoars are masses of indigestible plant matter in the stomach, often caused by eating fruit or vegetables with seeds that don't break down properly. Traditional treatment involves breaking them up and removing them endoscopically, but research suggests Coca-Cola can dissolve bezoars without surgery.

A 2012 study found a 50% efficacy rate using Coca-Cola to dissolve bezoars, while a 2024 study published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy showed that 100% of bezoars were dissolved with an increased dosage. However, there are limitations to these findings: the studies only focused on patients with no other complications and who received treatment soon after diagnosis.

The exact reason why Coca-Cola works is still unclear, but it's thought that the acid in the soda mimics stomach acid, which can dissolve cellulose. This method may be more effective than traditional treatments due to its accessibility: Coca-Cola is sold worldwide, making it a cheap and readily available option for treatment.