Why do we have hiccups? This could be the answer, according to science

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The phenomenon is observed at nine weeks of pregnancy, and premature babies, those born at least three weeks ahead of time, spend approximately 15 minutes with hiccups every day.

(CNN) - Although hiccups seem annoying, scientists have discovered that it can play a crucial role in our development, by helping babies regulate their breathing.

In a study led by University College London (UCL), researchers who monitor 13 newborns found that the hiccups caused a large wave of brain signals that could help their development.

Lorenzo Fabrizi, lead author of the study, said in a statement that this brain activity could help babies "learn to control their breathing muscles," which would eventually lead to the ability to control their breathing voluntarily.

He added: "When we are born, the circuits that process bodily sensations are not fully developed, so the establishment of such networks is a crucial milestone in the development of newborns."

Since the babies who participated in the study were premature and non-premature, with 30 to 42 weeks gestation, scientists believe that this development could be typical of the last trimester of pregnancy.

According to researchers, fetuses and newborns often have hiccups.

The phenomenon is observed at nine weeks of pregnancy, and premature babies, those born at least three weeks ahead of time, spend approximately 15 minutes with hiccups every day.

The newborns involved in the study had electrodes placed on the scalp and sensors on the torso to control the hiccups.

The scientists found that contractions in babies' diaphragms produced three brain waves, and they believe that through the third brain wave babies can link the sound of hiccups with the physical contraction they feel.

Kimberley Whitehead, lead author of the study, told CNN: “The muscular contraction of a hiccup is quite large; It is good for the developing brain because it suddenly gives a big boost, which helps brain cells to join together to represent that particular body part. ”

He added that hiccups do not have a known advantage for adults, and suggested that it could be an example of "a hangover from the first periods of our life that persists in later life."

The same researchers have previously theorized that the kicks of a baby in the womb can help you create a mental map of your own body.

Your new findings could show the same process that occurs internally.