Here’s a bit of quick science for you
When you think about it, it doesn’t make sense that so many people like to eat chilli. It’s hot and therefore, can be a bit painful/irritating when eaten. In fact, the heat in chilli is a defense mechanism for plants to stop mammals from eating it.
HOT STUFF! Image courtesy of Bruce Thomsen
You’d think that our ancient ancestors would have stayed well clear of this heat filled culinary demon. But they didn’t and now almost everyone loves a bit of hot stuff in their lives.
Why?
Well eating chilli is a little bit going on a rollercoaster. It’s risky business eating something designed to kill you,so the body releases a bit of adrenaline to help you cope with it. But because you know that the chilli ain’t going to kill you, you just enjoy that adrenaline ride. It’s sometimes called ‘constrained risk’.
It’s this release of adrenaline that can also help you lose weight!
Chilli increases your metabolism and might satiate your hunger. Therefore, it makes you eat less, while burning more calories. If this ain’t tiger blood, I don’t know what is. However, a word of warning. The same cells that line your lips (the epithelial cells), also line your anus. So if its fiery on the way in, chances are it’s going to be fiery on the way out…
“The same cells that line your lips (the epithelial cells), also line your anus. So if its fiery on the way in, chances are it’s going to be fiery on the way out…”
I didn’t know that epithelial cells could process pain signals.
The reason it burns on the way out is because of nerve cells, which are absent in the gut. Epithelial cells actually line your intestines as well, but chili don’t burn until it exits.
Good point. Thanks for that!
I have read of epithelial cells with sensing capabilities. Potentially possible that this could translate not necessarily to pain, but at least the perception of heat and the chemicals in chilli? Hmm, back to the books!