Here’s the surprising part: there’s a tiny, itsy-bitsy, almost microscopic kernel of truth in this. Coke contains phosphoric acid. Yes, the same stuff used to clean bathroom tiles is now a suggested tummy soother. The theory is that this powerful acid can break down bezoars—those nasty, indigestible hairballs of food that can camp out in your stomach.
One study in the Journal of Emergency Medicine actually found that drinking a liter of Coke over a few hours could dissolve some bezoars. That’s right: if you eat a hairbrush, Coca-Cola might be your savior. But for a simple case of “I ate too much cheese pizza at 2 AM”? The evidence is thinner than a free Wi-Fi signal in a basement.
The bubbles also help. Carbonation can, in theory, encourage burping, which relieves pressure. Think of it as a very expensive, high-fructose corn syrup-fueled belch escape route for your gut demons.
