Well, Pepsi was originally sold as a miracle cure for Dyspepsia. (or upset stomach)

Dyspepsia was a massive problem at the time, as food safety laws didn’t exist. And neither did refrigeration. So the food available in cities was often expired, and then slathered in toxic chemicals to hide the fact that it was expired.

Coca-Cola was also first marketed as a medicine, but for headaches and hangovers. Cocaine and caffeine might work on a headache or hangover…