London, Jan. 8 : Doctors are sparing patients from undergoing surgery, by using Coca-Cola to treat a painful stomach condition.

Doctors say that it is highly effective at dealing with a condition known as gastric phytobezoar, which is a stomach blockage that, unless successfully removed or destroyed, could lead to a bowel obstruction.

Various treatments are available for the condition ranging from lasers and non-surgical endoscopies to full surgery.

But new research showed that Coca-Cola has a success rate of more than 90 percent in treating the condition, as its chemical ingredients do a similar job to gastric acid in helping to digest fibre, while the bubbles help speed up the process, the Mirror reported.

Even the Diet and Coke Zero options work, as they have the same basic ingredients.

Researchers from the University of Athens found 46 patients were treated with it in hospitals around the world in the last 10 years.

Of those given Coca-Cola, half saw the drink destroy the blockage completely and a further 19 only needed non-invasive treatments.

Only four needed full surgery, giving Coca-Cola a success rating of 91.3 percent.

The report has been published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. (ANI)