Let’s face it, eating something spicy can actually hurt. Your tongue may burn, your face might tingle, and you may sweat – yet somehow, you choose to do it. Why? What makes choking down spicy food so strangely satisfying? And no, it’s not just a matter of cultural preference. There’s a biological, emotional, and even psychological thrill to eating spicy food. Science may call it “benign masochism” [1]—enjoying a controlled version of discomfort that we know won’t actually hurt us.
How does this “pain” turn into pleasure? In this article, we’ll unpack the real reasons behind our spicy obsession. We’ll also talk about what happens in your body when you eat spicy food and how your body adapts to spice over time.
The Burn You Feel Is Real – But It Isn’t Caused By Heat
Spicy food feels hot because of a compound called capsaicin, found mainly in chillies. But here’s the twist – capsaicin is not actually raising the temperature of your food. The capsaicin binds to a receptor in your mouth, which normally responds to physical heat or injury. This makes the brain think you are burning – even though you are not. This burn signal triggers a response in your body. You might sweat, get a runny nose, or tear up – all in an effort to cool down and protect yourself.
Reason Behind Why You Enjoy Something That Hurts
You may think, if spicy food activates pain receptors, why do people deliberately eat it?
The brain loves a rush, especially when life feels flat and boring. You don’t love the burn; you love the thrill that can come from choosing it. Pain is scary, but when you pick it, your brain turns it into fun and rewards you for surviving the burn. Once your brain realises the heat is harmless, it releases dopamine and endorphins. The same feel-good chemicals (hormones) are released during exercise or after a good laugh.
Some people can enjoy calculated risk, also known as benign masochism. This means you enjoy a sensation that feels risky, like the burn of spicy food, but is not truly harmful. It is similar to watching a scary movie or riding a rollercoaster. Eating spicy food gives a similar thrill. Over time, eating like this can make the burn feel less intense, as repeated exposure can reduce the sensitivity.
So if you have a culture where people grow up eating spicy food, their taste buds might have a higher tolerance. In other words, your environment trains your tongue.
Are There Real Health Benefits To Eating Spicy Food?
Spicy foods may come with more than just thrills. It:
- Enhance Metabolism: Capsaicin may increase your core temperature slightly, raising calorie burn.
- Lift Your Mood: The endorphins released after eating spicy food can act as natural mood-lifters or relieve stress.
- Helps Reduce Inflammation: Chillies (mainly capsaicin) have an anti-inflammatory effect. Chronic inflammation can cause various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases. Long-term use may reduce inflammation, leading to better health.
- Lowers the Risk of Mortality: Spicy food consumption is associated with a 12% reduced risk of all-cause mortality [2].
But moderation is the key. Excessive spicy food may irritate sensitive stomachs or worsen acidity in some people.
Why Some People Might Not Like Spicy Food?
Not everyone experiences spice the same way. Maybe because of variation in the receptor gene, lower pain threshold, or less exposure while growing up. So if your friend cries after one bite while you enjoy a plateful, it’s not drama – it’s biology.
Risks Of Eating Spicy Food
For most healthy people no initial risks are seen, as long as it is in moderation. But you may need caution if you have acid reflux, gastritis, stomach ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome. Talk to a Doctor as soon as possible.
Tips To Reduce The Burn If You’ve Overdone It
Capsaicin, the compound in chillies, is oil-soluble, not water-soluble. So, water does not help. Try these tips instead:
- Sugar or honey: Both are sweeteners that can dull the pain signals.
- Milk or yogurt: Dairy contains casein, which can bind to capsaicin and wash it away. It can gradually help you calm down all the heat caused by the spice.
- Starches: Bread, rice, or roti can help absorb capsaicin on your tongue.
- Mint Ice Cream: The fat can soothe the burn, and menthol adds a cooling sensation.
That’s why people often suggest drinking milk or eating some sugar if you are burning from chillies.
Key Takeaway
– The burn comes from capsaicin, which activates pain receptors.
– Your brain releases endorphins and dopamine, which makes you feel good.
– Over time, your nerves adapt, reducing the intensity of the spice you feel.
– Culture, genetics, and habits all shape your spice tolerance.
– Spicy foods have various health benefits, such as metabolic enhancement, mood upliftment, and lower risks of mortality and inflammation-related diseases.
– Moderation matters, especially for people with digestive issues.
FAQs
Q. Is it true that spicy food burns fat?
No, not exactly. Capsaicin (in chillies) can slightly boost metabolism and energy expenditure [3]. But it does not burn enough fat to cause meaningful weight loss.
Q. What happens to your body if you eat spicy food every day?
For some, it can cause acidity, heartburn, stomach irritation, or worse. But for others, it may be just like eating their regular food. It can totally depend on you how your body takes spice and what level of tolerance you have.
Q. What hormone makes you crave spicy food?
Spicy food triggers dopamine and endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones that make you crave that spicy kick again.
Q. Is spicy anti-inflammatory?
Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties, but too much spicy food can irritate the stomach and gut lining. Moderation is important when eating something spicy.
Q. What are the benefits of pepper?
Peppers can support by reducing inflammation, enhancing the mood, and lowering the risk of mortality. They may also provide antioxidants that protect your cells.
Q. Which colour pepper is healthiest?
Red peppers are considered the healthiest because they are the ripest ones. They also contain the highest levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Q. Why do my fingers burn after touching peppers?
Your fingers may burn after touching peppers because of capsaicin. This oily compound in chillies can stick to the skin and activate the pain receptors, making you feel burnt.
Q. Is spicy a flavour or just pain?
Spicy is a flavour sensation that is primarily caused by the activation of pain receptors by compounds like capsaicin. It is not a taste because it is recognised by pain receptors and not taste buds.
References
1. Rozin P, Guillot L, Fincher K, Rozin A, Tsukayama E. Glad to be sad, and other examples of benign masochism. Judgment and Decision Making. 2013;8(4):439-447. doi:10.1017/S1930297500005295
2. Ao Z, Huang Z, Liu H. Spicy food and chili peppers and multiple health Outcomes: Umbrella review. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2022;66(23):e2200167. doi:10.1002/mnfr.202200167
3. Zheng J, Zheng S, Feng Q, Zhang Q, Xiao X. Dietary capsaicin and its anti-obesity potency: from mechanism to clinical implications. Bioscience Reports. 2017;37(3). doi:10.1042/bsr20170286
(The article is written by Sneha Jajoo, Intern, Clinical Health & Content, and is reviewed by Dr.Subita Alagh, Assistant Team Lead, Disease Content.)