A common home remedy for hiccups involves swallowing granulated sugar, dry bread or ice. The "why" here has to do with how the sugar affects the vagus nerve, which connects the brain and the stomach.

And what are hiccups a sign of? Most of us will get the dreaded ‘hic hic’ at some point, usually followed by a well-intentioned onlooker suggesting a home remedy. We take a look at whether any ...