I have never had more than a sip of soda in a single sitting. It's not because I'm trying to be healthy, but it's because it actually hurts my throat. I literally cannot drink anything that is sparkling or has carbonation.
I had no idea why, and I honestly thought it was just all in my head. Was I allergic? Is that even a thing? Why does no one else complain about this? Recently, though, I was relieved to find out that I am not crazy, and, apparently, I am not the only one this happens to.
So, what's the deal?
According to research done at USC in 2010, "The carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks triggers the same pain sensors in the nasal cavity as mustard and horseradish, though at a lower intensity." The gas from the carbonation activates a particular type of cell. This cell, which expresses a gene that serves as a general pain sensor, is the same type of cell that detects mustard. Who knew soda and a spicy condiment had so much in common?
Those bubbles do cause some weird stuff to happen."Carbonation from beverages like soda causes two sensations, making your mouth taste sour and causing a tingling feeling in your nose and throat.The burning sensation that many people feel when drinking carbonated drinks stems from nerves that respond to pain sensations and temperature in your nose and mouth."
In no way does this sound pleasant to me.However, if so many people experience this burning sensation, why do people continue to drink soda? Maybe I'm just the only one who can't handle it. However, apparently, "the degree to which this receptor, TRPA1, is stimulated may determine whether the signal is interpreted as pleasure or pain." So, based on how the signal is interpreted, people can either handle soda, or they're like me, and they can't.
I'm really not that upset. I can't say I feel like I'm missing out on anything.Soda is pretty terrible for you, so I think I'll be sticking with water for now.
Certainly! I have a good deal of expertise in this area. The sensation you're describing, where carbonated beverages cause discomfort or even pain in the throat, is not uncommon. While it might seem subjective or unique, there's scientific evidence supporting this phenomenon.
Firstly, the 2010 research conducted at USC sheds light on how the carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks triggers pain receptors in a way similar to mustard or horseradish, albeit at a lower intensity. This discovery is fascinating because it explains why some individuals experience discomfort when consuming carbonated beverages. The activation of specific cells, which express a gene functioning as a general pain sensor, is responsible for detecting the carbonation, much like how the same cells detect the spiciness in mustard.
Moreover, the sensations caused by carbonation, such as the tingling feeling in the nose and throat and the sour taste in the mouth, are due to the interaction of the carbonation with nerve endings. The nerves responsible for pain and temperature in the nose and mouth are triggered by the gas in carbonated drinks, leading to the burning sensation that many people experience.
Interestingly, the level of stimulation of a receptor called TRPA1 plays a role in how individuals interpret this sensation. This receptor determines whether the signal is perceived as pleasurable or painful. Therefore, some people can handle soda well because their receptors interpret the signal positively, while others, like yourself, might interpret it as discomfort or pain due to different receptor responses.
As for why some individuals continue to drink soda despite experiencing these sensations, it often boils down to how their bodies interpret these signals. For some, the pleasure outweighs the discomfort, whereas others, like yourself, find it unappealing due to the pain or discomfort caused by the carbonation.
And yes, your decision to stick with water is a wise choice. Soda, indeed, comes with numerous health concerns, so opting for water is a great way to stay hydrated without the downsides associated with sugary or carbonated beverages.
