Ask a Chemist: Why do carrots cause hiccups? (and other questions)

Ask a Chemist #64

In this bonus edition of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam tackle intriguing questions from listeners. They delve into why some people hiccup when eating carrots, the fascinating uses of poinsettias in food packaging, the role of benzene as a carcinogen, and the controversies surrounding hydrogen-rich water bottles. Additionally, they explain how catalysts work and respond to various chemistry-related inquiries from their engaged audience.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:10 Why Do People Hiccup When They Eat Carrots?

06:18 The Dangers of Benzene in Dry Shampoo

08:07 Understanding Catalysts in Chemical Reactions

12:04 Debunking the Hydrogen Rich Water Cup

20:26 Supercritical Water and Viewer Comments

24:59 Poinsettias and pH Indicators

26:42 Conclusion and Listener Acknowledgements

References from this episode

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3504071/


2. https://synapse.koreamed.org/upload/synapsedata/pdfdata/0081jnm/jnm-18-123.pdf

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