Have you ever indulged in a bag of crispy pork rinds, only to be interrupted by a sudden bout of hiccups?
It’s a common occurrence for many snack enthusiasts, but have you ever wondered why it happens?
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind hiccups and how certain foods, like pork rinds, can trigger them.
We’ll also take a closer look at the process of making pork rinds and the different variations you can find.
So grab a bag of your favorite flavor and let’s dive in!
Why Do Pork Rinds Give Me Hiccups?
Hiccups are involuntary spasms of the diaphragm muscle, which is located at the base of your lungs. The spasms cause your lungs to suck in air quickly, after which your epiglottis slams shut, producing the “hiccupping” sound. While the exact reason for hiccups is not always known, certain foods and drinks can trigger them.
One major reason for hiccups after eating is overeating. When you eat too much at once, your stomach expands and becomes distended, which can push onto the diaphragm and cause contractions. These contractions can also be caused by eating too quickly and swallowing too much air, which again causes your stomach to become distended.
Foods that are too hot, too cold, or too spicy are more likely to cause hiccups. That’s because these foods can stimulate nerves in the esophagus, leading to reflex spasms of the diaphragm. Carbonated beverages and alcohol cause air bubbles, which can distend the stomach and trigger hiccups. Food that causes gas can also lead to hiccups.
Pork rinds are a popular snack made from pig skin that has been simmered in boiling water to remove impurities and smooth out the texture. The skin is then divided into individual “pellets” and slow-baked in an oven for up to eight hours to remove all moisture. Finally, the pellets are fried in peanut or vegetable oil until they expand and crackle with that signature puff.
While pork rinds themselves may not directly cause hiccups, their high fat content can trigger them. Eating fatty foods can cause hiccups because they can distend the stomach and push onto the diaphragm. So if you find yourself getting hiccups after indulging in a bag of pork rinds, it may be due to their high fat content.
Understanding Hiccups: What Causes Them?
Hiccups are caused by involuntary spasms of the diaphragm muscle, which separates the chest from the stomach area and plays a crucial role in breathing. The spasm causes the vocal cords to close briefly, producing the “hic” sound. Hiccups can happen for a variety of reasons, including physical and emotional factors. The actual irritation happens in the nerve connecting the brain to the diaphragm, and some common causes include eating too much or too quickly, feeling nervous or excited, drinking carbonated beverages or too much alcohol, stress, a sudden change in temperature, and swallowing air while sucking on candy or chewing gum.
Hiccups can start and stop for no apparent reason. However, they often happen when something irritates the diaphragm, such as eating too quickly or too much, eating hot or spicy foods, drinking alcohol or carbonated drinks, diseases that irritate the nerves controlling the diaphragm, feeling nervous or excited, a bloated stomach, certain medicines, abdominal surgery, metabolic disorders, or central nervous system disorders.
When you hiccup, your diaphragm pulls down between breaths, making you suck in air. At the same time, the glottis (space between the vocal cords) closes to stop more air coming in. These actions make the ‘hic’ sound of the hiccup. The process of hiccupping happens very quickly and usually returns to normal within minutes to a couple of hours without treatment.
Persistent hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours are known as chronic hiccups and may be a sign of another medical problem. While there is no proven cause for hiccups yet, it is believed that they may be triggered by the presence of air in the stomach. This stimulates the sharp intake typical of the reflex and moves swallowed air out of the stomach effectively. Hiccups are a reminder that we may have eaten too quickly and reflect persistence of an infantile reflex.
The Connection Between Pork Rinds And Hiccups
As mentioned above, hiccups can be caused by overeating or consuming fatty foods that distend the stomach and push onto the diaphragm. Pork rinds are a popular snack that is made from pig skin and fried in oil until they expand and become crispy. While pork rinds themselves may not directly cause hiccups, their high fat content can trigger them.
Some people may experience hiccups after eating pork rinds due to the distension caused by the high fat content. The diaphragm muscle can become irritated, leading to spasms and hiccups. Additionally, if someone eats too quickly while consuming pork rinds, they may swallow too much air, which can also contribute to hiccups.
It’s worth noting that hiccups after eating pork rinds may not happen to everyone. Some people may be more prone to hiccups due to their individual physiology or eating habits. However, if you find yourself experiencing hiccups after eating pork rinds, it may be worth considering the high fat content and taking steps to avoid overeating or eating too quickly in the future.
How Pork Rinds Are Made: A Closer Look
Pork rinds are a popular snack that is made from the skin of pigs. The process of making pork rinds starts with the removal and cleaning of the pig skin. Once cleaned, the skin is cut into small pieces and then either fried or baked.
The first step in the process is simmering the pork skin in boiling water. This helps to remove any impurities and smooth out the texture. The skin is then divided into bite-size pieces known as “pellets.” These pellets are chilled for at least four hours, allowing the fat to solidify. The fat is then removed and discarded.
Next, the pellets are left in a low-heat oven for about eight hours to remove as much moisture as possible. This step is important because any remaining moisture can cause the pork rinds to become chewy instead of crispy. Finally, the pellets are fried in peanut oil, vegetable oil, or lard until they expand and crackle with that signature puff.
During the frying process, whatever moisture remains in the skin evaporates when it hits the hot oil, causing the skin to puff as it fries. The rinds are seasoned while they’re still hot, and then cooled, resulting in the snacks we know and love. Pork rinds come in all sorts of flavors depending on how they’re seasoned, including barbeque, chile pepper, and more.
It’s important to note that while pork rinds themselves may not directly cause hiccups, their high fat content can trigger them. Eating fatty foods can cause hiccups because they can distend the stomach and push onto the diaphragm. So if you find yourself getting hiccups after indulging in a bag of pork rinds, it may be due to their high fat content.
Different Variations Of Pork Rinds To Try
Pork rinds come in various styles and flavors, making them a versatile snack option for different taste preferences. The classic pork rind is made from pig skin, oil or lard, and salt. However, there are other variations of pork rinds worth trying.
One popular style is the wash pot style. To make this, a big piece of pig skin with some fat left is fried, resulting in a texture that’s a mixture of both pork rinds and cracklings. Another style is the fatback, which has most of the fat remaining and comes out thick and juicy.
For those who prefer flavored snacks, packed pork rinds are available in varieties of flavors from chile lime to hot and spicy to barbeque. These flavors vary according to personal preference, but many still prefer the classic pork rind with no extra additives.
If you’re looking for a healthier option, oven-baked pork rinds are perfect for those who want a low-carb snack without sacrificing crunchiness. EPIC BBQ Pork Rinds offer a variety pack of flavors like Pink Himalayan & Sea Salt, BBQ, or maple bacon flavor.
Tips For Enjoying Pork Rinds Without The Hiccups
If you love pork rinds but hate the hiccups that come with them, there are a few tips you can try to enjoy this tasty snack without discomfort. First, make sure to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly to avoid swallowing too much air. This can help prevent your stomach from becoming distended and triggering hiccups.
Additionally, try to avoid eating pork rinds on an empty stomach or when you’re overly hungry. This can cause you to eat too quickly or too much, which can lead to hiccups. Instead, enjoy pork rinds as a small snack in between meals or as a garnish on top of a salad or soup.
Another tip is to pair your pork rinds with a non-carbonated beverage like water or herbal tea. Carbonated drinks can cause air bubbles in your stomach, which can lead to hiccups. Drinking water or tea can help soothe your stomach and prevent hiccups from occurring.
Finally, if you do get hiccups after eating pork rinds, try some of the hiccup remedies mentioned above, such as breathing into a paper bag or drinking cold water quickly. These remedies can help calm down any irritation and stop the hiccups from continuing.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the delicious crunch of pork rinds without the discomfort of hiccups.
