A hiccup happens when your diaphragm muscle spasms, triggering a fast closing of the glottis near the top of the throat. That's where the "hic-cup" sound comes from that gives this fairly harmless condition its name. Drinking carbonated sodas or eating too fast sometimes triggers hiccups. However, you can't always predict which foods will cause you to hiccup. Generally, foods that cause gas, irritation or digestive problems can lead to hiccups.
Spicy and Hot Foods
Most spicy foods contain capsaicin, which creates that sharp, hot feeling in your mouth and throat when you eat spicy foods. This reaction can trigger hiccups. Foods of very hot temperatures can also cause hiccups. If food is hot enough to burn your tongue, you might take a sharp breath. Hot food can also irritate your esophagus and stomach as you swallow. Anything that irritates your digestive system could lead to the spasms that make you hiccup.
Fatty Foods
Acid reflux might make you more likely to hiccup. High-fat foods might stay in your stomach longer. Sometimes this increases the chances of stomach acid rising back into the esophagus. This irritates your esophagus and your throat, leading to hiccups -- among other symptoms. Information from the American Institute for Preventive Medicine also suggests that eating lots of fatty foods over a short period of time can irritate the diaphragm and lead to hiccuping.
Gassy Foods
Much like carbonated drinks can make you hiccup, so can gas-forming foods. As food digests in your stomach and intestines, it releases gas. Some of this gas comes back up through your esophagus and out of your mouth as a belch. Gas escaping like this might trigger spasms in the diaphragm. Some vegetables are likely to cause gas. For example, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, beans and prunes all create bodily gas. Similarly, bagels, brown rice and foods high in bran might make you gassy -- and lead to hiccups.
Eating Style
When it comes to hiccups, it's not just what you eat, but how you eat it. Eating too fast or too much at one time puts pressure on your gut and might make you spasm. If you eat on the move, you might take in gas or trigger spasms in your diaphragm. Similarly, a sudden burst of laughter might force air in through your mouth while eating. One of the best ways to avoiding hiccups from food is to eat slow, steady and with small mouthfuls.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; "Hiccups -- All Information"; Dr. Linda Vorvick; February 22, 2009
- MedlinePlus; "Hiccups"; Dr. Linda Vorvick; January 21, 2011
- City of Eugene; "Respiratory Conditions"; 2005
- University of Michigan Health System; "Helpful Hints for Controlling Gas (Flatus)"; March 23, 2007
- McKinley Health Center; "The GERD Diet (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)"; April 16, 2008
