Chinese Cola Termed Good for Liver, Spleen

China, fighting back at American rivals Coca-Cola and Pepsi, is exporting its own version of a Western cola drink, saying it is good for the liver and spleen.

The New China News Agency said Thursday that more than 4 million cans of Tianfu (Heavenly Gift) were shipped to Southeast Asian markets this year. The ingredients were also sent to Japan and Canada, traditional bastions of the two U.S. giants, for trial production.

It declared Tianfu had a “magic formula” created by the Chungking beverage company which “is said to help strengthen the spleen and the liver.”

No details were given of the formula of the drink, first produced in 1981. The Chinese press has previously reported it blends the peony root with sugar and spices and is sold as a “herbal soda” that is cheaper and healthier than foreign soft drinks.