Hi, CitySlim.

I have a question for you about spicy foods. I particularly enjoy a little spice in my dishes, however, I've always been curious whether having too much might in fact be somehow bad for you. I will take it that the chemical (capsaicin) isn't fully absorbed when it's consumed in large enough quantities as I've had the "smoldering fiery… apocalypse" as it's literally translated from my country days after very hot meals. Do you know if there are any real indications that having large quantities of very, very hot foods could in fact be bad for you? Thank you.

~Natasha K.

   Hi, Natasha.

   Thank you for your question. In terms of the chemical capsaicin, the active, heat-causing component of chili pepper, yes, it is possible to ingest too much through the consumption of hot peppers. Capsaicin, although beneficial to the body in myriad ways, also serves as an irritant and can produce nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and burning diarrhea when consumed in large amounts.[i] I am assuming the symptoms you have described relate to the final effect I have mentioned.

   However, despite the burning sensation capsaicin causes when in contact with human tissue, the fiery compound also serves as an anti-inflammatory agent, topical analgesic, potential anti-cancer compound, antibacterial compound, and may even help to reduce body fat!

   Bottom line: Everything in moderation. Eating so many hot peppers to cause gastrointestinal distress can be harmful to your body. Some medical professionals associate extremely high intake of capsaicin with ulcers, but it is apparently rare for anyone to consume enough for this to be a problem.[ii] Begin with small amounts and increase the amount as your body gets accustomed to the hotness. Also, an allergic reaction to capsaicin is possible. Do not consume capsaicin if you have high blood pressure or are already being treated for high blood pressure. To reduce the burning sensation, seeds can be removed from the peppers before eating or cooking.