Why does a spoonful of sugar cure the hiccups?

Question

I didn't believe it when I heard it. Swallow a teaspoon of sugar and your hiccups go away. One day when I had a particularly long and painful case of the hiccups, this is what my roommate told me. It was a new home remedy to me, I'd never ever heard that one before. I'd tried holding my breath, getting startled, drinking a glass of water while holding my breath... None of the home remedies had ever worked for me. She told me that she had been the same, until she tried this one she'd gotten from her genius ex-girlfriend. I figured anything is worth a shot, so I tried it. I was shocked when it worked. But it works for me, and that's what's important.

The reason I told you all of this is so that I don't get a bunch of responses saying that this doesn't work, or that I should try some other remedy. I know how to cure MY hiccups, and that's all I need.

Now, I would like to know if anyone knows the scientific reason why this works. I've heard a few different ones, I want the truth.

Answer 1

Hiccups are little more than a reflex. You get them when the vagus nerve or one of its branches, which runs from the brain to the abdomen, is irritated.

The home remedies used to stop hiccups are believed to work on two principles. One way to stifle hiccups is to overwhelm the vagus nerve with another sensation. The vagus nerve signals the brain that more important matters have arisen, so it's time to knock off the hiccups. Sweeten the hiccups. Overloading the nerve endings in the mouth with a sweet sensation may do the trick. Have a teaspoonful of sugar, and if you can, place the sugar on the back of the tongue, where "sour" is tasted. This way, the sugar overload will pack the most punch.

Answer 2

It suppresses the hiccup cycle. That's why other things like holding your breath or drinking water while covering your ears work for some people.

I've tried sugar without success, but always have success with the water/ears thing.

Answer 3

It is because you only eat it if its converting energy from one souce to another. If it is prepared as a tonic for hiccups it probably is reacting with the hydrgen in your liver which doesnt need the original source. Never ask for the truth ******.

Answer 4

h-m-m-m I always take a Tums
that never fails either. I decided to let you know that because I took some time outta my day to read your "book",and being told what not to write didn't sit right with me. no offense.