General Question

essieness's avatar

Why does eating spicy peppers give you the hiccups?

Asked by essieness (7698points) May 31st, 2009 from iPhone

This hasn’t happened to me personally, but two of my friends experience this all the time. Is there a scientific reason behind this?

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6 Answers

kheredia's avatar

mmmm… I’ve never had that problem.

kheredia (5571points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…
MrGV's avatar

nope your friends are weird

MrGV (4170points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…
shilolo's avatar

Esophageal or stomach irritation can trigger and or irritate the phrenic nerves that control the diaphragm (as can overeating, or swallowing too much air) resulting in diaphragmatic spasm. This spasm is the cause of hiccups, so your friends must have a sensitive esophageal-stomach lining and nervous system.

shilolo (18085points)“Great Answer” (3points) Flag as…
Darwin's avatar

Sounds like your friends are ill-advised to eat spicy foods.

Darwin (21877points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…
DarkScribe's avatar

It doesn’t for me.

DarkScribe (15505points)“Great Answer” (0points) Flag as…

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