# Why do we humans like carbonation? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 4, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963 "2017-10-04T16:51:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/1 "2017-10-04T16:51:31Z")
Is there anyway to describe the appeal? Do other animals (your dog, say) respond favorably to it? It seems pretty “unnatural.” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/2 "2017-10-04T17:03:53Z")
Our African Grey will drink apple juice, orange juice, water, hot chocolate, grape juice, cranberry juice, and a few other juices from my cup. He does not like any carbonated liquids. They actually piss him off; he’ll try to forcefully spill them. I have a sodastream. Carbonated water is my favorite non-alcoholic drink. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/3 "2017-10-04T17:22:56Z")
It [stimulates our taste buds](https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/carbonation-has-a-taste-09-10-16/) in a delightful manner! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/4 "2017-10-04T17:24:37Z")
Pain. The CO2 in the bubbles hurts just slightly, which affects the taste. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/5 "2017-10-04T17:37:47Z")
[Theme song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ML8oAKlqhE) for the thread. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/6 "2017-10-04T17:54:19Z")
> [@2Bits](#): > > … It seems pretty “unnatural.” Just to comment on this, have had natural carbonated water right out of the well spring in the earth, so yes it is natural, but overall rare. Most of what you get is artificial and contains more carbonation then what i tasted out of the ground, but natural stuff can be carbonated and form bubbles. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/7 "2017-10-04T18:10:57Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Just to comment on this, have had natural carbonated water right out of the well spring in the earth, so yes it is natural, but overall rare. Most of what you get is artificial and contains more carbonation then what i tasted out of the ground, but natural stuff can be carbonated and form bubbles. And Mentos-and-Coke-like [geysers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_Springs_Geyser). (Except not brown.) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/8 "2017-10-04T18:16:24Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > And Mentos-and-Coke-like [geysers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_Springs_Geyser). (Except not brown.) Bring your own Scotch. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/9 "2017-10-04T18:23:59Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Pain. The CO2 in the bubbles hurts just slightly, which affects the taste. Humans are so weird. Capsaicin causes a painful burning sensation in mammals and certain plants (especially fruit-bearing ones like peppers) evolved to contain the chemical so that non-mammalian creatures like birds will spread the seeds further than some wolf or rat that might just poop out the seeds 5 yards away. Then along comes a human who takes a bite, turns red, screams in pain, rinses his mouth out then says, “Delicious, give me more!” We are such masochists. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/10 "2017-10-04T18:44:54Z")
[If you drink enough of it, you begin to like it.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWIVEuK5ATw) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/11 "2017-10-04T18:48:20Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Then along comes a human who takes a bite, turns red, screams in pain, rinses his mouth out then says, “Delicious, give me more!” Wasn’t pepper originally used to make spoiled food palatable? I guess some people began to like the taste. ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/12 "2017-10-04T20:20:16Z")
Gets us drunker faster. Maybe not the reason, but a reason. > **[Why Do Carbonated Drinks Get You Drunk Faster? - The Healthy Drinker](https://thehealthydrinker.com/drinking-tips/carbonated-drinks-drunk-faster/)** > > The carbonated characteristic of alcoholic beverages can make a huge difference to how potent they might be. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/13 "2017-10-04T21:50:09Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Bring your own Scotch. I tried to make a bourbon and soda out of some naturally carbonated water that I collected seeping out of the ground in a bay at low tide. The moment the alcohol hit the water it turned a dark purple almost black color. I still drank it and it still got me drunk but does anyone know what minerals/chemical would turn a liquid black when mixed with alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/14 "2017-10-04T23:03:58Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Wasn’t pepper originally used to make spoiled food palatable?. No, because: A) originally spices were very expensive. Those who could afford spices could afford fresh meat. B) It doesn’t work Spiced rotten meat still tastes rotten. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/15 "2017-10-04T23:07:33Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I have a sodastream. Carbonated water is my favorite non-alcoholic drink. My wife and I are so addicted that we gave up the Sodastream and bought a CO2 tank and the adapter to pressurize used 2 liter bottles. When I cut myself, I half expect my blood to be fizzy. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/16 "2017-10-04T23:57:49Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > My wife and I are so addicted that we gave up the Sodastream and bought a CO2 tank and the adapter to pressurize used 2 liter bottles. > > When I cut myself, I half expect my blood to be fizzy. Do you still remember what parts you got to do this? I have one of those isi 1 liter soda siphons. They cost about $.60 a liter which is pretty expensive for few grams of CO2. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/17 "2017-10-05T00:25:02Z")
[Here’s a pre-configured set up like mine.](https://www.kegoutlet.com/sp202-soda-carbonating-kit-5-lb-co2-tank.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjdLOBRCkARIsAFj5-GDe21kojSC4bQpax23bh9FoOvv8UOUEA8nRevsrvTqZT-We_2aj93MaAjuaEALw_wcB) You might be able to buy the parts cheaper. Almost certainly your local home brew supply store will have all this if you don’t want to mail order. The cost upfront is not significant, but the refills on that 5 pound bottle will only run in the neighborhood of 10 bucks. And that should get you 175 to 200 fizzed 2L bottles. I recommend the metal caps over the plastic. The plastic ones can be hard to attach and detach from the filler in my experience. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/18 "2017-10-05T01:49:17Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I tried to make a bourbon and soda out of some naturally carbonated water that I collected seeping out of the ground in a bay at low tide. The moment the alcohol hit the water it turned a dark purple almost black color. I still drank it and it still got me drunk but does anyone know what minerals/chemical would turn a liquid black when mixed with alcohol. Stick with branch water. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/19 "2017-10-05T01:50:24Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > No, because: > > A) originally spices were very expensive. Those who could afford spices could afford fresh meat. > > B) It doesn’t work Spiced rotten meat still tastes rotten. Well, fuck junior high history class. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963/20 "2017-10-05T02:47:06Z")
Humans and some other animals eat strange things with either pain potential or psychological effects…I think it is because we enjoy the novelty of different mental states. Carbonation may mildly stimulate our pain receptors. Try chewing a new stick of wintergreen or mint gum and sipping a coke! Wow! You will understand the boundary of pain and pleasure! However… Black pepper is a completely different spice than chili peppers, which are the ones that burn the mouth. Not to highjack the thread, but some additional info to clear any confusion regarding pepper. Neither of these are physco active Black pepper is a form of fruit called a drupe, which can be seen in whole peppercorns. I cannot find references for the biological purpose of the chemical peperine. Black pepper is in the botanical family Piperaceae, and is native to India - but is now grown elsewhere, with Vietnam being the greatest producer As noted by Atamasama, Chili peppers have capsaicin is an adaption to favor birds eating the fruit and scattering the seeds widely after they go through the digestive tract. Chili peppers are native to the Americas, where they were domesticated by the original natives. They range from bell peppers to Scotch Bonnets (mild to wildly hot), and now form part of the worldwide cuisine. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-humans-like-carbonation/797963.md?page=2)