Book 9, Question 35
Why Do Fizzy Drinks Tingle?
Fizzy drinks tingle because carbonation tickles your touch and pain sensors in a harmless way! Carbon dioxide turns into a mild acid called carbonic acid in your mouth. Bubbles add a sparkly feeling beyond plain taste.
More fun facts
- The taste buds that sense sour also respond to fizzy drinks.
- An enzyme in your mouth breaks carbon dioxide and water into bicarbonate and protons, which are basically acid.
- Those protons are what your sour sensing cells pick up, giving soda its acidic tingle.
- Mice without sour sensing taste cells no longer reacted to carbon dioxide.
- Gulping soda too fast can cause a sharp, stinging tingle in your throat.
Sources: Scientific American, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine
Questions kids ask
Is the tingle from bubbles popping?
Partly, but scientists found your sour taste cells also sense the acid the fizz makes.