Can Peanut Butter Help With Hiccups?
Peanut butter can be a delicious compliment to almost anything. Whether it's in a sandwich, a sweet treat, or even just a spoonful by itself, peanut butter comes in a wide range of textures from crunchy to creamy. In fact, it is so beloved that the amount of peanut butter Americans consume in 1 year could span the entire floor of the Grand Canyon (via Organic Facts).
Peanut butter is primarily made up of ground peanuts and oil, but additional ingredients may be added to modify the flavor and texture, such as salt, sugar, honey, or molasses (via SFGate). Although peanut butter can be relatively high in calories, it's also high in protein and essential vitamins, such as vitamin E and vitamin B3. These compounds help maintain the health of our muscles, immune system, skin, and nerve function.
As reported by Organic Facts, peanut butter can also provide additional health benefits, such as reducing high levels of cholesterol, regulating blood sugar, and even minimizing the risk for gallstones. That being said, the perks of peanut butter don't stop there.
How peanut butter affects hiccups
Hiccups occur when the spasming of our diaphragm causes us to take in air, but the spaces between our vocal cords simultaneously close shut. It's this action that produces that all too familiar squeaking sound (via the Cleveland Clinic). Although men are more susceptible to longer bouts of hiccups, they can strike anyone of any age at any time. Hiccups can be brought on for any number of reasons, including overeating, stress, or drinking an excessively hot, cold, or carbonated beverage.
Hiccups can be annoying, and you've probably tried a slew of remedies, from holding your breath to having your best friend try to scare you. The next time you're trying to get rid of a pesky bout of hiccups, you may want to reach for a hefty helping of peanut butter. The reason being is that hiccups are directly linked with our breathing. When chewing, swallowing, and slapping your tongue around to pull the sticky substance off the roof of your mouth, you alter the rhythm of your breathing, which may eliminate the hiccups, according to Reader's Digest Canada.
This is good news for all the peanut butter enthusiasts out there! In addition to being a tasty treat, it looks like peanut butter may be the solution to our hiccup woes.