Does Coca-Cola cause hiccups? The scientific truth behind carbonated drinks

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Mayo Clinic, a common cause of short-term hiccups is drinking carbonated beverages like soda. This phenomenon is not unique to Coca-Cola but is a direct result of how carbonation interacts with your body's systems.

Quick Summary

Carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola can trigger hiccups due to the expansion of carbon dioxide gas in the stomach, which irritates the diaphragm. Drinking too quickly or on an empty stomach increases this effect. The acidity and cold temperature of the beverage may also play a role in nerve stimulation.

Key Points

Carbonation is the culprit: The carbon dioxide gas in Coca-Cola expands in the stomach, irritating the diaphragm and triggering hiccups.
Drinking speed matters: Consuming carbonated drinks too quickly can increase the amount of swallowed air, raising the risk of hiccups.
Cold temperature plays a role: The coldness of the beverage can stimulate the vagus nerve, contributing to the hiccup reflex.
Not just Coca-Cola: Any carbonated beverage, including sparkling water and other sodas, can cause hiccups through the same mechanism.
Simple remedies exist: Holding your breath, sipping cold water, or breathing into a paper bag can help stop hiccups quickly.

The Scientific Mechanism: How Fizzy Drinks Trigger Hiccups

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm, the large muscle at the base of your lungs that plays a crucial role in breathing. A hiccup is the sound made when your vocal cords snap shut shortly after this contraction. While many factors can trigger this reflex, the connection to carbonated beverages is well-documented and primarily involves two physiological events: gastric distension and nerve irritation.

The Role of Carbon Dioxide

When you consume a fizzy drink like Coca-Cola, you are ingesting a liquid infused with dissolved carbon dioxide gas. The cold liquid and gas-filled bubbles reach your stomach, where the gas expands rapidly as it warms up to body temperature. This rapid expansion inflates the stomach, causing it to stretch and press against the diaphragm above it. Stretch receptors in the stomach wall are stimulated by this distension and send signals via the vagus and phrenic nerves to the brain. The brain's hiccup center, located in the medulla oblongata, receives these signals and triggers the diaphragm to contract suddenly, resulting in a hiccup.

The Influence of Temperature and Acidity

The carbonation isn't the only factor at play. The cold temperature of many carbonated beverages, including Coca-Cola, can also stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to many vital organs, including the stomach. This dual irritation—from both the gastric distension and the cold liquid—can make a person more susceptible to the hiccup reflex. Furthermore, the acidic nature of sodas may cause minor stomach irritation that can also play a role.

Factors That Increase Hiccup Risk with Coca-Cola

Certain behaviors can make you more prone to hiccups after drinking soda. These include:

Drinking too quickly: Gulping a beverage rapidly causes you to swallow more air along with the liquid, increasing stomach distension.
Consuming on an empty stomach: Drinking soda on an empty stomach can heighten sensitivity to the carbonation's effects.
Combining with a large meal: If you drink a carbonated beverage with a large meal, the cumulative pressure on your diaphragm is greater.

Comparative Triggers: Coca-Cola vs. Other Factors


Trigger Category	Specific Examples	Mechanism	Effect on Diaphragm
Carbonated Drinks	Coca-Cola, soda, sparkling water	Gastric distension from CO2 gas and nerve irritation from cold	Rapid expansion presses upward and irritates the diaphragm.
Eating Habits	Eating too fast, large meals	Swallowing excess air, stomach becomes over-full	Increases pressure on the diaphragm from below.
Emotional Stress	Excitement, anxiety	Activation of the vagus nerve	Nerve signals disrupt normal breathing rhythm and trigger spasms.
Temperature Changes	Hot food followed by cold drink	Sudden temperature shifts stimulate nerves controlling the diaphragm	Can cause nerve irritation and trigger a reflex.

How to Prevent and Stop Hiccups from Coca-Cola

There is no single guaranteed cure for hiccups, but several home remedies and preventative strategies can help interrupt the reflex arc that causes them. Many techniques focus on stimulating the vagus or phrenic nerves or increasing the carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream, which can distract the body from the hiccuping reflex.

To prevent hiccups:

Drink slowly: Sip your Coca-Cola instead of gulping it down quickly.
Use a glass: Pouring the soda into a glass allows some of the initial carbonation to dissipate.
Moderate intake: If you are particularly susceptible, limit your consumption of carbonated beverages.

To stop hiccups:

Hold your breath: This increases carbon dioxide in the blood, which can help relax the diaphragm.
Sip ice water: The cold temperature can help shock the vagus nerve and disrupt the hiccup cycle.
Gargle with ice water: This stimulates the vagus nerve located at the back of the throat.
Breathe into a paper bag: Not over your head. The increased CO2 intake can help settle the diaphragm.
Valsalva maneuver: Exhale forcefully while holding your nose and mouth shut. This puts pressure on the vagus nerve.

Conclusion: Is Coca-Cola to Blame?

While Coca-Cola does not have a unique property that makes it the sole cause of hiccups, the combination of its carbonation and cold temperature makes it a potent and very common trigger. The carbon dioxide gas expands in the stomach, which in turn irritates the diaphragm, leading to the involuntary spasms we know as hiccups. By understanding this simple physiological cause, you can take steps to prevent it, such as drinking your beverage more slowly or opting for less carbonated alternatives. For most people, hiccups caused by soda are a minor, temporary annoyance. However, if hiccups persist for more than 48 hours, consulting a doctor is recommended, as it could indicate an underlying medical condition.

For more information on the causes and treatments of hiccups, visit the Mayo Clinic's detailed guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, diet coke can also cause hiccups. The triggering factor is the carbonation (carbon dioxide gas), which is present in both regular and diet versions of Coca-Cola.

The main cause is gastric distension, or the expansion of your stomach, due to the carbon dioxide bubbles in the soda. This puts pressure on and irritates the diaphragm, causing it to spasm.

Sensitivity to triggers varies from person to person. Factors like how quickly you drink, your stomach's sensitivity, and pre-existing conditions like GERD can influence your susceptibility to hiccups.

Yes, swallowing excess air, a phenomenon called aerophagia, is a known cause of hiccups. This can happen when chewing gum, eating quickly, or drinking carbonated beverages.

There is no single 'best' way, but stimulating the vagus nerve often works. Common remedies include holding your breath, drinking cold water, or gargling with cold water.

In most cases, no. Hiccups from carbonated drinks are usually temporary and harmless. However, if hiccups persist for more than 48 hours, they could be linked to an underlying medical issue, and you should see a doctor.

The primary trigger is the carbonation, not the sugar. While high sugar can have other health effects, it is the gaseous bubbles that directly irritate the diaphragm and cause hiccups.