A bout of the hiccups can be irritating and annoying, but there are ways to cure them. Eating too fast, eating too much, drinking alcohol, drinking carbonated beverages, stress and temperature changes could all cause hiccups. When you have the hiccups, eating certain foods may help get rid of them. Next time you feel those unwanted diaphragm contractions, give one of them a try and you may be hiccup-free in just a few minutes.
Honey
Hiccups occur when the normal open and close function of your epiglottis is disrupted. A spoonful of honey can help reset that function by irritating the nerves that allow the hiccups to continue. Squirt a tablespoon or so of honey onto a spoon and swallow it all at once to help increase the chances that honey will help. Corn syrup or molasses may have a similar curing effect on your hiccups because they also contain sugar that can irritate the nerves in your epiglottis and get rid of these diaphragm spasms.
Sugar
While you do not want to swallow sugar on a regular basis, a spoonful of granulated sugar may cure your hiccups. Place a spoonful of granulated sugar under your tongue or on the back of your tongue and allow it to dissolve on its own. Brown sugar may have a similar effect, but white sugar is most often recommended to cure hiccups.
Ginger
Ginger is a common spice that often appears in Asian foods and also has nausea-calming abilities, but it might also be an effective way to cure your hiccups. Fresh ginger has a very strong flavor and works best. The strong taste of fresh ginger works by overwhelming your senses, which can distract your diaphragm and cure your hiccups. Peel a small bite-sized piece of fresh ginger and suck on it or slowly chew it to get the most hiccup-curing benefits.
Lemon
A slice or wedge of fresh lemon may work just like ginger works to cure your hiccups. Fresh lemons are very sour and when that taste comes into contact with your taste buds, your surrounding nerves may get so distracted and overwhelmed that your hiccups go away. Place a piece of peeled fresh lemon on top of your tongue and suck on it for a few minutes to get this effect.
