Eli5: when you swallow a big pill, why does it feel stuck in your throat for a while after?
In: 48
Peristalsis works best with liquid or wet, pulverized material, which is why chewing our food makes it easier to swallow. Muscular contractions have a harder time moving small solid objects, made even more difficult when the object’s surface becomes sticky as it absorbs water (like some pills do).
Water gives your esophagus enough of what it moves best, and will drag the pill along with it.
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