Carbonated beverages release sufficient carbon dioxide when ingested, to distend the oesophagus, relax the lower oesophageal sphincter and to force the passage of impacted meat and other foreign bodies into the stomach. Of 28 patients with foreign bodies in the oesophagus, eight had them dislodged after ingestion of barium sulphate suspension, whereas carbonated soda water was used successfully in 16 out of 20 patients with a normal oesophagus or with oesophageal motility disorders and organic strictures. Carbonated beverages may be used as the first-line treatment of acute episodes of oesophageal obstruction due to foreign bodies and could also be integrated into the long-term management of oesophageal disease.