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One thing that I don't quite understand -- what is it about spicy food that makes it desirable? Esp. the super hot peppers? I know that I love them, but I can
by derekp7 11y ago
One thing that I don't quite understand -- what is it about spicy food that makes it desirable? Esp. the super hot peppers? I know that I love them, but I can't really say why (after all, I normally try to avoid pain). The only thing I can think of is that part of the brain knows that the pain isn't "real" (that is, it isn't being caused by something that is damaging you), yet another part is releasing endorphins to counteract the pain, causing a mild euphoria. But I haven't really found much information to back up this theory.
I do know that at times when I get a spell of mild depression, munching on some hot peppers seems to pull me out of it.
- adriand 11y agoI think the endorphin theory is a pretty common explanation, but I think for me and for many others it's largely about flavour. I enjoy the flavour of chili peppers, and I also enjoy how spiciness brings out other flavours in food and makes it richer and more interesting.
- pyre 11y ago> I enjoy the flavour of chili peppers Do you like them "straight up" though? For example, I hate the taste of jalapeños, but I have no problem eating them as part of a meal.
- provemewrong 11y ago>I also enjoy how spiciness brings out other flavours in food and makes it richer and more interesting What? I do like spicy food occasionally, but my main gripe with "very" spicy food is not how painful it is, but how the spiciness overwhelms all other flavors and it's the only thing you can taste. Like you might as well be eating chili paste because you can't taste anything else anyway.
- saiya-jin 11y agowell, you are simply having too much chilli in the food. good curry for example isn't one that burns your mouth (if you eat it regularly), but rather enrich all flavors present, including many other herbs and spices. if you don't feel anything else but burn, your cook ain't that good :)
- provemewrong 11y agoMaybe, I had just observed that others seem really to enjoy the overwhelming burning sensation and drew conclusions that something must wrong with me if I want to taste something more than chili in my food.
- zimpenfish 11y agoAgreed - I have no problem with Nando's "Extra Hot" on the heat level but the spice overpowers everything else to the point of silliness. Dropping down to "Hot" keeps it spicy enough but without drowning the rest.
- desdiv 11y agoYou're right on the mark. >"The endorphins work to block the heat. The body produces them in response to the heat, which it senses as pain," said Paul Bosland, co-founder and director of New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute. [0] [0] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/capsaicin-ingredient-hot-peppers-offers-medical-benefits/story?id=15727011 http://abcnews.go.com/Health/capsaicin-ingredient-hot-pepper...
- somberi 11y agoJury is out, but it is possible that Capcisin produces anti-depressent-like properties (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22542657 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22542657) Also this answers your question: http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2010/sep/14/chilli-hot-food http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2010/sep/14/chilli-h...
- spacemanmatt 11y agoMy personal experience is mild elation and a brow sweat, best case. I can easily believe capsaicin has anti-depressant properties.