A patient in a hospital emergency department, a doctor administering a treatment involving cola for a food bolus impaction, modern medical equipment in the background, patient in a semi-upright position, doctor explaining procedure, clinical setting.
Oesophageal food bolus impaction is a common emergency, particularly during holidays when overeating is prevalent. A recent study aimed to evaluate whether cola ingestion could help resolve food bolus impaction without the need for invasive procedures. The study was conducted across five hospitals in the Netherlands and included 51 adult participants, all presenting with complete food impactions.
The intervention group was asked to consume cola in controlled amounts, while the control group awaited spontaneous resolution. Despite some anecdotal reports, cola was found not to significantly improve the resolution of food bolus impactions. “Our findings suggest that while cola is harmless, it does not provide a meaningful advantage over spontaneous resolution,” said one of the study’s lead researchers.
The researchers explored both complete and partial passage of food boluses, noting that complete resolution occurred in 43% of those who consumed cola, compared to 35% in the control group. The difference, however, was not statistically significant. “Although more patients reported complete passage with cola, the outcome was not robust enough to recommend it as a first-line treatment,” noted the study authors.
Patients experienced temporary discomfort in some cases after drinking cola, though no severe adverse events were reported. While the study suggests that cola might not delay endoscopic procedures, it highlights the importance of prompt medical management, especially in cases where the obstruction persists. “Endoscopy remains the gold standard, particularly when conservative treatments like cola fail,” the researchers concluded.
The study also found that most food impactions were caused by meat. Underlying oesophageal pathology was common in these patients, with conditions like eosinophilic oesophagitis and structural abnormalities frequently identified.
The authors advise that healthcare providers might consider cola as an adjunctive treatment when awaiting endoscopy, but emphasize that it should not replace standard medical protocols. “Cola is cheap, available, and safe, but it’s not a miracle cure for oesophageal impactions,” said the lead investigator.
Further research is warranted to explore whether cola could play a role in early or partial food impactions or if its effects are influenced by the duration of the obstruction before intervention. The trial opens avenues for future studies to examine other non-invasive methods for resolving food bolus impactions.
More information: Tiebie EG, Baerends EP, Boeije T, et al. Efficacy of cola ingestion for oesophageal food bolus impaction: open label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2023;383. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-077294
Journal information: The BMJ
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