# Can eating spicy foods physically hurt you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 8, 2002, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570 "2002-09-08T21:13:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/1 "2002-09-08T21:13:42Z")
I have been wondering this for a long time and thought maybe someone can answer this for me. I love spicy foods, especially mexican food and anything with cayenne pepper. I was wondering if eating spicy foods can physically hurt you in any way. I know you get the burning sensation when you eat something too spicy, but does it cause lasting damage? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/2 "2002-09-08T22:08:06Z")
Rarely will it cause lasting damage. Note I say rarely, and not never. If you have an eroding gastric ulcer, and put capsaicin (the “hot” in spicy foods) on it, it will further irritate and inflame it. If you have bad reflux esophagitis, capsaicin can make it worse. It can aggravate pre-existing conditions. But usually it doesn’t. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/3 "2002-09-08T23:07:32Z")
Doesn’t capsaicin destroy taste buds? Sure, they’ll grow back, but I’m imagining a vicious cycle where one eats spicy foods and continues to add spice because one can’t taste it any more… ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/4 "2002-09-08T23:30:32Z")
Capsaicin temporarily numbs taste buds (at least some of the receptors, anyway), but does not kill them. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/5 "2002-09-08T23:42:09Z")
Here is an interesting article on the properties of capsaicin: > **[404 Error. Page Not Found - Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch](https://www.foodwatch.com.au/404-error.html)** > > Looking to lose weight, gain energy, improve your health or find quick, simple and tasty recipes? Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch has it all ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/6 "2002-09-08T23:47:05Z")
That link doesn’t seem to work for some reason. Here is a relevant extract from the page: > [@](#): > > **How chilli works** > > Chilli’s fire is derived from capsaicin, a group of five related capsaicinoids, which have the ability make our eyes water, noses run, mouths burn and make any exposed skin sting for hours. > > When we eat chilli, the capsaicin stimulates the trigeminal nerve, the main facial nerve which has branches in the mouth, nose and eyes. This nerve system is a separate sense, distinct from the senses of taste and smell, and it produces a variety of sensations, which we often describe as hot, spicy or pungent. > > Researchers believe this sense is one of our oldest, designed to warn and protect us from potentially harmful substances. It also initiates defence mechanisms to get rid of ‘irritants’, like the tears and runny nose that often accompany a hot curry. > > Natural therapists make use of this property by adding a little chilli to anti-flu tonics in winter to increase the flow of mucus, which helps eliminate viruses and relieve congestion. > > Ointments and lotions with capsaicin have also had success as an external remedy for nerve pain and itching. Capsaicin blocks Substance P which is part of the body’s pain-and inflammation chemistry. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2002, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/7 "2002-09-08T23:55:46Z")
Really hot spicy foods screw up your mind. Why else would anyone subject themselves to that kind of torture. For the endorphin rush, I guess. _I_ like it, anyway. I read that capsaicin could do harm, but it’s so dilute in foods that all it does is temporarily maim you. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![muppeteer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@muppeteer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muppeteer)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/8 "2002-09-09T14:48:52Z")
Man chillies get me so high! Beats alchohol or other illegal drugs any day! ---
**Author:** ![davesink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@davesink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davesink)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/9 "2002-09-09T18:40:57Z")
BAD for you?? I could’ve sworn I heard of some study done somewhere (don’t I present a compelling case?) which indicated that spicy foods were good for the heart (No, I’m not talking about the “beans” rhyme.) Anyone care to verify? ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-eating-spicy-foods-physically-hurt-you/127570/10 "2002-09-09T21:33:03Z")
I suppose you could have an anaphylactic reaction to the hot food. I hope my spelling is correct there.