HICCUPS — those sudden, annoying interruptions we all experienced too well.
Everyone seems to have a cure, but their so-called remedy can be hit or miss.
From holding your breath to sipping water upside down, there seems to be a never ending list.
Recently, social media claims a teaspoon of sugar can cure hiccups—could this simple remedy actually work, or is it a myth?
Verdict:
TRUE
The reasoning behind this remedy lies in how sugar affects the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the stomach.
When you swallow sugar, it irritates the uvula and the back of your throat, temporarily distracting your body.
Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm that can be both frustrating and persistent. This distraction may interrupt the diaphragm’s spasm cycle, helping the vocal cords relax.
It’s not the sugar itself that stops the hiccups, but the swallowing motion that triggers the vagus nerve, which controls the diaphragm.
The act of swallowing requires suction, stimulating the vagus nerve and helping reset the diaphragm’s erratic movements.
Similarly, other consumables like citrus or sour foods can also activate the vagus nerve, contributing to hiccup relief.
Experts suggest that these remedies work by giving your body something else to focus on, interrupting the hiccup reflex.
However, experts also highlighted that the sugar trick briefly disrupts the body's reflexes, but the hiccups may return shortly after.
So, while swallowing sugar may provide temporary relief, the real secret behind this remedy is the mechanical action of swallowing.
The next time you have hiccups, you might want to give this a try!
References:
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17672-hiccups
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/hiccups#takeaway
3. https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/hiccups-treatment
4. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/remedies-for-hiccups
6. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/04/health/hiccups-cures-wellness/index.html
