How come when you burp while drinking soda and exhale the air through your nose, it stings?
In: Biology
Mucous contains bicarbonate, which makes it a basic substance that buffers acid. CO2 alone is not an acid so it’s fine, but carbonic acid from soda is more concentrated , so it stings a bit. If you have a dry nose it actually stings more. There is a TON of mucous lining your stomach (enough to buffer the hydrochloride acid in your stomach so it doesn’t burn holes through). That’s why you can eat acidic foods with no problem…u less you have an ulcer (which is a breakdown of the stomach lining mucus that allows the acidic component to burn tissues), then it’s a problem. This is why you take an “antacid” (basic compound) to alleviate heartburn and ulcer pain.
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