Effects of Carbonated Water Concentration on Swallowing Function in Healthy Adults

Observational study of effects of pharyngeal stimulation by carbonated solution on repetitive voluntary swallowing in humans

“…Several recent studies have shown the effects of carbonation on swallowing in healthy subjects. [ 17 , 21 , 34 ] These studies revealed that carbonation increased swallowing-related muscle activities (orbicularis oris, masseter, suprahyoid, and infrahyoid) and decreased the swallowing onset time, swallow velocity, and volume per swallow. However, the present study did not find a significant effect of DW + CA on the shortening of the SI compared to DW.…”

“…One potential factor is the presence of methodological differences between the studies. In previous studies, the carbonated solution was applied to the mouth, and the subjects swallowed the solution, [ 17 , 21 , 34 ] which included both the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. In contrast, we applied the carbonated solution directly to the pharynx, including only the pharyngeal phase in our experimental condition.…”

“…In contrast, we applied the carbonated solution directly to the pharynx, including only the pharyngeal phase in our experimental condition. Min, et al [ 17 ] found that carbonation affects the orbicularis oris and masseter muscle activities more strongly than the submental and infrahyoid muscle activities and concluded that the effect of carbonation on EMG amplitude was greater in the oral phase than in the pharyngeal phase. Therefore, the relatively weak effects of carbonation on swallowing-related behavior in the pharyngeal phase in the present study may explain the lack of a significant facilitative effect on the SI between DW and DW + CA.…”

“…[13,14] Therefore, the effects of carbonation on swallowing have also been investigated in healthy and dysphagic people. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] However, there is disagreement among studies regarding the effects of sensory information induced by bolus carbonation. Min, et al [17] showed that carbonated water significantly decreased the swallowing onset time and increased the swallowing-related electromyography (EMG) activity amplitude in a carbonation concentration-dependent manner in healthy subjects.…”

“…[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] However, there is disagreement among studies regarding the effects of sensory information induced by bolus carbonation. Min, et al [17] showed that carbonated water significantly decreased the swallowing onset time and increased the swallowing-related electromyography (EMG) activity amplitude in a carbonation concentration-dependent manner in healthy subjects. Conversely, 5 mL carbonated boluses had no significant effect on the amplitude or duration of swallowing-related submental EMG activity.…”