FAST FACTS ABOUT HICCUPS
What Causes Them and Which Remedies Actually Work?
Everyone knows the feeling of impending dread that arises when a hiccup first escapes your throat. While hiccups usually go away on their own within a few minutes, they can interfere with eating and talking in a frustrating way. As a result, many people have come up with creative tricks to get rid of them. With common solutions like having a friend scare you or eating a heaping spoonful of sugar, how can you tell which of these remedies actually works? Hiccups occur when your diaphragm — a thin muscle in your chest that assists with breathing — spasms involuntarily, causing you to suddenly inhale. When this happens, your vocal cords snap shut, resulting in the hiccup’s distinctive guttural sound. While many household remedies are supported by centuries of anecdotal evidence, only a handful of studies have evaluated their effectiveness. Here are three natural
methods backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
EATING AND DRINKING Some remedies include ingesting strange products through even stranger means, but only a few food- or drink-based remedies are actually touted by experts. While your favorite uncle might argue that a tablespoon of mustard, honey, or peanut butter does the trick, the CDC suggests that you gargle with iced water, suck on a thin slice of lemon, or drink an entire glass of warm water very slowly without breathing. Similar to the pressure point remedies, these methods are thought to relax your diaphragmatic nerves. While everyone seems to have a tried-and- true method they swear by, the next time you’re plagued with the hiccups, perhaps you should consider one of the CDC’s official solutions.
BREATHING While there are countless remedies that involve holding your breath, only one is encouraged by the CDC. Place a paper bag over your nose and mouth and breathe in and out deeply and slowly. This increases the carbon dioxide levels in your blood, which is thought to calm nerves and relax the diaphragm. PRESSURE POINTS Applying pressure to certain points on your body may relax your diaphragm or stimulate your vagus and phrenic nerves. The CDC recommends gently pulling your tongue forward once or twice to stimulate the nerves and muscles in your throat. If that doesn’t help, you can try plugging both your nostrils and ears while simultaneously drinking a glass of water.
HELPING THEIR EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY, AND PLANET
Rather Than Their Bottom Line
people healthier is a noble goal by itself, but that’s not all the company hopes to accomplish. Their focus on doing things the right way extends to every aspect of their business. Chobani champions inclusion and diversity, going so far as to make resettled refugees 30% of their workforce. Ulukaya also created the Tent Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping corporate leaders develop programs to help refugees. Another way Chobani is helping others is through their in-house incubator, through which the company provides funding to food companies that want to create healthier food options. What Ulukaya did for his employees in 2016 was possibly most impressive, however. That April, he divested 10% of the company to his staff, providing them with hundreds of millions in shares. Environmentally conscious, healthy choices are important to today’s consumers. Companies like Patagonia, REI, and Chobani are trailblazers when it comes to honoring the ethical values of their customers. In turn, those customers become raving brand advocates. Knowing this, how can you give back and differentiate yourself from your competitors?
Since their inception in 2005, Chobani has challenged the status quo set by their mega brand competitors, refusing to sacrifice healthier, more natural products for a profit. As evidenced in their mission statement, Chobani is committed to helping their employees, community, and planet. Their success shows that these commitments, rather than one to a bottom line, is the best way to build a thriving business. Chobani isn’t afraid to take on their competitors for their less-than-natural products. In a 2016 ad campaign, they blasted established players like Dannon and Yoplait for using chemical additives in their products. The message was clear: Chobani wouldn’t sacrifice a healthier product for a cheaper one. Their competitors weren’t too happy about the campaign, but Chobani didn’t care. Their CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya, has stated the company will never be sold to a larger food company. Recently, Chobani introduced new product lines that embody their healthy, natural approach. They have A Hint of Flavor yogurt options that use less sugar, and Savor, a sour cream designed to be an alternative, the same way the yogurt is. Making
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