Drinking carbonated beverages can make people feel pleasant for several reasons:
- The stimulation of taste and smell
- Perception of sweetness: Most carbonated beverages contain a large amount of sugar, usually sucrose, fructose, or corn syrup. Sweetness is one of the tastes that humans are born to like. When sweet substances bind to the sweet receptors on the tongue, they trigger the taste nerves to send signals to the brain, activating the reward system in the brain and releasing dopamine, thus producing a sense of pleasure.
- The role of aroma: The various spices and flavors added to carbonated beverages stimulate the olfactory receptors, and the signals are transmitted to the olfactory cortex and limbic system in the brain through the olfactory nerves. These areas are closely related to emotions, memories, and the sense of pleasure, which in turn makes people feel happy.
- The effect of carbon dioxide
- Oral stimulation: When the carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages comes into contact with the mouth and throat, it quickly forms small bubbles and bursts, producing a slight tingling and cool feeling. This unique sensation can stimulate the nerve endings in the mouth and throat, sending excitatory signals to the brain, bringing a refreshing and exciting pleasant experience.
- Stomach feedback: After entering the stomach, carbon dioxide will cause a certain degree of expansion and slight pressure change in the stomach. This physical stimulation is transmitted to the brain through the nerve endings in the stomach, which may trigger some stress responses in the body and release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, thus producing a sense of pleasure.
- The influence of psychological factors
- Consumption culture: Carbonated beverages are widely popular in modern society and are closely associated with various social occasions and leisure activities. For example, people often drink carbonated beverages at parties, when watching movies, or after sports. Over time, a consumption culture and habit have been formed. Therefore, when people drink carbonated beverages, they will associate them with these pleasant scenes and experiences, thus psychologically producing a sense of pleasure.
- Brand marketing: Carbonated beverage brands usually carry out a large number of advertising and marketing activities, associating the products with positive images such as happiness, vitality, and youth. Through long – term brand promotion and advertising implantation, consumers will subconsciously associate drinking carbonated beverages with pleasant emotional experiences, thus obtaining psychological satisfaction and pleasure when drinking.
