does anyone have (with adequate scientific evidence) any idea why soda/beer carbonation causes slight pain to the tongue and throat? is it the physical "explosion" of the bubbles? a result of the carbonic acid?
a quick google search only came up with guesses... let's hear it from the most educated source: letsrun.com!
The active ingredient in most soda pop is phosphoric acid. The pH of most soda pop is 2.8. That's pretty acidic. That has to play a role.
ingredients on the natural light can do not indicate any phosphoric acid... my tongue twinges worse than ever
carbonic acid is correct.
When carbonic acid hits your tongue the enzyme carbonic anhydrase quickly catalyzes the reaction or carbonic acid to carbon dioxide and that's what you feel on your tongue!
Carbonic anhydrase is also what allows us to carry greater quantities of CO2 through our blood.