Some people believe that spicy food can be bad for your health. Is there anything to be worried about?
Dr. Catherine
Where does the “fire in the mouth” feeling come from?
The alkaloid capsaicin, a substance named for the Capsicum family of peppers, causes the feeling of heat in the mouth When spicy food enters the mouth, capsaicin, and allyl isothiocyanate(from mustard, horseradish, and wasabi) bind to TRPV1 taste receptors. The receptors change the structure — and this is signaled via the trigeminal nerve to the brain, which perceives this as a signal of increased temperature in the mouth.
The central nervous system then tries to cool the body: blood vessels dilate, blood circulation becomes more active, body temperature rises, intense sweating begins, and the concentration of endorphins in the blood increases.
The nasal mucosa becomes inflamed, and the nose and eyes leak. The lungs send a hiccup ...
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