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When it comes to spicy foods, people tend to fall into two camps—those who love the heat and those who steer clear.
There’s positive news for spice enthusiasts: peppers and chillies offer more than just bold flavours. Compounds in these fiery foods may help lower blood pressure, aid in weight management, and even promote longevity. However, spicy foods aren’t suitable for everyone, especially those with digestive sensitivities.
Spicy foods are experiencing a surge in popularity, from the booming hot sauce industry to viral spicy food challenges across social media.
Whether it’s TikTok pepper-eating contests or “extreme” menu items requiring diners to sign liability waivers, this trend raises an important question: can consuming the world’s hottest peppers and sauces have negative health effects? In this article, we’ll explore the potential side effects of eating spicy food.
What makes foods spicy?
Chemical compounds known as capsaicinoids, found in spicy foods and peppers, generate heat in food. When we bite into a pepper, capsaicin—the most common capsaicinoid in hot peppers—attaches to heat-sensing receptors in the mouth, causing a burning sensation. Capsaicin triggers these same receptors to induce a feeling of burning, which can affect the mouth, stomach, eyes, and skin upon contact. Extreme levels of capsaicin can even cause nausea or difficulty breathing.
Benefits of Eating Spicy Food
Science supports those who like to spice up their meals by adding more than capsaicin. Spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, garlic, ginger, cumin, and chilli offer a range of health benefits.
1. Various studies indicate that certain spices—like cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, peppers, and chillies—can raise your metabolism resting rate and slow down your appetite.
2. In Ayurveda, the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger, pepper, and garlic have been utilized for centuries to treat various conditions, including arthritis, autoimmune disorders, headaches, and nausea.
3. A UCLA study found that capsaicin, the active ingredient in chilli peppers, slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells in mice without harming healthy cells.
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4. Many powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in cumin and turmeric. It meant that chilli flavours can be used against harmful bacteria in the body.
5. Spicy food may have longevity benefits. A 2015 study by Harvard and the China National Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that eating spicy food six or seven times a week—even just once a day—reduced mortality rates by 14 per cent.
Side Effects of Eating Spicy Food
How much heat can you handle? It’s a question your friend might ask at a party while encouraging you to try some hot salsa, or something you might encounter in a social media challenge where people film themselves eating super spicy foods. According to food experts, eating extremely spicy foods can pose health risks, especially if you’re not accustomed to it. Here are some potential side effects of consuming very spicy food.
1. Red chillies contain capsaicin, which can irritate your digestive system and lead to issues like heartburn, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas, or loss of appetite.
2. Eating too much spicy food can cause blisters on the skin and lead to mouth sores.
3. Eating spicy food regularly can increase the chances of contracting stomach ulcers.
4. Indulging in too much red chilli may cause digestive upset, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and even vomiting.
5. Experts suggest that spicy foods that contain large amounts of chilli can lead to endorphin release, which can increase stress levels.
The Takeaway
There are several reasons you might crave spicy foods. Cravings may be more common during pregnancy or when you’re trying to avoid spicy foods, and they can also signal that you’re feeling overheated or congested. Whatever the cause, it’s important to enjoy spicy foods in moderation. If you experience side effects like indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea, it may be best to limit or avoid them in your diet.
