Does soda feel sharp or spicy? It might not taste that way, but your body reacts as if it does. Carbonated drinks trigger the same pain sensors in your nose as mustard does.
We've all felt that sharp sting when gulping soda too quickly. Until now, the exact cause was unclear. Researchers at the University of Southern California have pinpointed the culprit: the TRPA1 cell, which also drives the burn from mustard, responds to the carbon dioxide released in fizzy drinks, creating that familiar stinging sensation.
Their study revealed carbon dioxide produces two distinct feelings: it amplifies sourness and delivers a burning sensation. This happens through nerves in the nose and mouth that detect pain, pressure, and temperature.
The findings are published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
