Gastroenterologist reveals reasons people get hiccups after having too much alcohol

Why do some people get hiccups after drinking alcohol?

“Hiccups after drinking often occur due to gastric distension, mucosal irritation, and CNS modulation,” Dr Gandhi notes. In simpler terms, when alcohol is consumed, especially quickly in large quantities, it causes the stomach to expand. This mechanical stretching irritates the vagus nerve, which runs near the stomach and diaphragm, “setting off a hiccup reflex.”

Additionally, alcohol is an irritant. “It increases gastric acid secretion, which can inflame the lining of the oesophagus and stomach, stimulating afferent pathways of the hiccup reflex,” he explains.

Alcohol also relaxes the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES), “promoting reflux of stomach contents into the oesophagus, another known hiccup trigger.” Combined with its central nervous system depressant effects, alcohol essentially creates the “perfect storm” for hiccups—chemical irritation, mechanical distension, and neurological modulation all acting at once.

Cold or chilled drinks can shock the esophagus and vagus nerve, triggering the hiccup reflex (source: pexels)

Do certain types of alcohol, like beer, wine, or spirits, cause hiccups more than others?

“Yes, absolutely,” Dr Gandhi affirms. “Beer, sparkling wines, and hard seltzers contain carbon dioxide, which forms gas bubbles that expand the stomach and stretch vagus nerve endings. That’s why beer is one of the most common hiccup culprits.”

Cold drinks, including chilled spirits, can also stimulate the oesophageal mucosa due to sudden temperature change. Stronger spirits like whiskey or vodka may irritate the oesophagus more aggressively, particularly when consumed neat.

“From a clinical standpoint: beer and carbonated alcohols are most hiccup-prone; iced spirits pose risk from temperature and mucosal irritation; neat spirits cause irritation without distension.”

Can drinking on an empty stomach or too quickly increase the chances of hiccups?

Drinking alcohol quickly or on an empty stomach “significantly raises the likelihood of hiccups,” says Dr Gandhi. “Gulping alcohol rapidly also swallows excess air, rapidly distending the stomach. This sudden stretch activates mechanoreceptors in the stomach wall and sends signals via the vagus nerve, which can set off hiccups.”

Empty stomach drinking worsens the effect. “Alcohol irritates the stomach lining more directly, absorbs faster, increases acidity, and lowers LES tone, contributing to reflux and nerve stimulation,” he explains. Essentially, “without food, alcohol hits the GI system like a shockwave,” triggering the hiccup reflex.

Wine tends to be less fizzy and lower in alcohol than spirits, making it slightly less likely to provoke hiccups (source: pexels)

Can spicy, oily, or acidic food make hiccups worse with alcohol?

Spicy, acidic, and oily foods add fuel to the fire. Capsaicin in spicy foods “activates TRPV1 receptors, feeding into the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves—prime hiccup triggers.” Acidic foods lower stomach pH, increasing reflux risk, while fatty foods slow gastric emptying, prolonging vagal stimulation. “Eating spicy chaat or oily kebabs while drinking beer stacks multiple hiccup triggers,” Dr Gandhi notes.

Are alcohol-induced hiccups totally harmless, or could they indicate an underlying medical issue?

Most alcohol-related hiccups are harmless and short-lived. But “persistent hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours may indicate neurological involvement: brainstem lesions, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or neoplasms affecting the hiccup centre,” warns Dr Gandhi. Chronic GI disorders, alcohol-induced electrolyte imbalances, or medications can also contribute.

He advises seeking medical care if hiccups interfere with sleep, eating, or daily life, or if they come with neurological symptoms, weight loss, persistent heartburn, or alcohol withdrawal signs. “Persistent hiccups can be the tip of a medical iceberg,” Dr Gandhi cautions, especially in heavy drinkers or older adults.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.