What happens if you eat spicy food too much?
What happens if you eat spicy food too much?
Many people enjoy eating spicy food for its unique taste and the tingly sensation it creates on the tongue and lips. However, spicy food can also have both positive and negative effects on the body.
One of the immediate physical reactions to eating spicy food is sweating. Capsaicin, the compound found in chiles, which is the backbone of many spicy dishes, binds to nerve receptors along the gastrointestinal tract that are activated by heat. The nerves send similar signals to the brain as they would if you came into contact with actual fire, which can cause the body to start sweating to cool itself down.
While eating spicy food in moderation is generally safe for people who don’t already have stomach issues, it can cause inflammation in the areas that aid digestion and lead to heartburn, stomachaches, or diarrhea. People with gastritis, which occurs when the lining of the stomach is inflamed, may be especially susceptible to increased abdominal pain.
What happens if you eat spicy food too much?
Studies have shown that consuming spicy foods can be associated with some health benefits. For example, taking a daily supplement of capsaicin can speed up metabolism, where participants burned the equivalent of an extra 200 calories per day over a 14-week period. Additionally, chile intake has been linked with a reduction in calcium buildup in the walls of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
What happens if you eat spicy food too much?
The evidence is mixed on whether eating spicy foods regularly can reduce the likelihood of obesity or heart attacks in the long term. A few studies have found that daily consumption of chiles is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer, but not of gastric or colorectal cancers. Scientists don’t yet know if capsaicin and piperine may one day lead to potential treatment for breast cancer, even though lab experiments have found these chemicals help impede or destroy human breast cancer cells.
In rare cases, extreme physiological reactions may occur, such as thunderclap headaches or vomiting so severe it ruptured someone’s esophagus. If someone has eaten something that is too spicy, it is recommended that they consume something with high-fat content, like a glass of milk or a spoonful of sour cream, to help draw the capsaicin out of their tissues. What happens if you eat spicy food too much? is essential to know your limits and not overestimate how much heat your body can take. With the right balance, you may find that a mild scorch is what makes the meal satisfying.