Why Does Spicy Food Make Your Nose Run?

preview_player
Показать описание
If you’ve ever had a cold or been congested, someone may have recommended that you treat yourself to some spicy food. But why? What is it about spicy food that turns people into snot spouts?

L.A. BEAST vs World's Hottest Pepper (Chocolate Bhutlah) Warning: Chuck Norris Status:

You’ve probably heard various doctors extolling the health benefits of spicy food – improved circulation, weight loss, etc. – but too much spice can have drawbacks. Just ask all the people who hallucinated after eating some of the hottest peppers in the known world.

Even if you’ve never been that incapacitated, you’ve probably experienced the classic spicy food symptoms: a flushed face, watering eyes, and, perhaps grossest of all, an uncontrollably runny nose.

So what gives? Why would spicy food make your nose run?

In most spicy foods, it all comes down to a few specific chemicals: capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate. They’re responsible for what scientists call a food’s pungency – that’s the technical term for “spiciness” or heat.

Capsaicin is found in plants from the Capsicum genus, like chili peppers. It’s most concentrated in the placental tissue that holds the seeds.

Allyl isothiocyanate is a colorless oil found in stuff like mustard and wasabi. These aren’t just some accident of evolution – in the world of plants, capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate are weapons.

That’s right – capsaicin is a deterrent. It’s concentrated around the seeds because it’s meant to keep seed-crunching mammals like you, me, our pets, and Jessica Lange from scarfing them down, destroying their chances to reproduce.

Here’s what happens when you call a plant’s bluff and chow down on something spicy: the chemicals causing that ‘hot’ sensation on your tongue act on your pain receptors, not your taste buds. They also irritate the mucous membranes in your mouth, nose, throat, sinuses -- basically, your face.

Mucous membranes are linings that protect your orifices, lungs, and other inside parts from bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. The ones in your nose specialize in making nasal mucus, better known by its street name, “snot.”

Once a spicy chemical inflames the membranes, they start producing extra mucus as a defense mechanism. Your body’s trying to trap the offensive chemical and prevent it from reaching your respiratory system.

End result? Boom: your face is a snot spout. Booger bonanza. Mucous midden. Gunk geyser.

Well, maybe I’m exaggerating. A little. But you get the gist.

But it’s not like having a runny nose is always a bad thing. If you’re congested and eat spicy food, those same chemicals can affect the dilator naris muscle, tricking it into allowing more air into your nasal cavity. Receptors in your nose tell your brain “Hey, this is awesome! We’ll breathe so much more easily from now on!”

And those receptors are lying. Once you’re done eating, you’ll get stuffed up again.

SOURCES:

Рекомендации по теме
Комментарии
Автор

This video only raised more questions like why was that guy hallucinating after eating those peppers?

guyshepard
Автор

I have a cold and I was so excited to find this video, because I was eating spicy jerky. Right up until she said that the effect wears off once you've finished eating.

feerow
Автор

Inflamed in the membranes. Inflamed in the brain!

nsowers
Автор

My 5 year old asked why this happens so I had her watch this, and she was able to explain to me perfectly why this happens.

bluetrapp
Автор

I am a Mexican and I have shamed my whole family with my runny nose lmao

RoseLilyClover
Автор

What are some ways to keep my nasal cavities clear. I seem to have a never ending congestion in my face lol. I’m a singer and so many times I LITERALLY have hot sauce with me to open me up while singing.

rickparma
Автор

I grow peppers and chilies so have a wide variety of ones I've eaten (Even the super hots), but while many of the super hots will knock your socks off, the worst average pepper for me to eat are the giant Thai peppers. They burn me worse than many peppers that have a MUCH MUCH higher SHU rating.

RABthefirst
Автор

Maybe I shouldn't have eaten ramen full of tapatío but it was worth it

jarettalvarado
Автор

I'm indian and I'm supposed to handle spice well but I end up with tears and a runny nose after eating things that others find bland 👁️👄👁️

hoax
Автор

I can honestly say I enjoy Lauren's videos the most!
And the most spicy thing ive ever eaten would have to be shrimp tacos with havanero sauce! God they're good!

Aramsiel
Автор

Yo snot why are you running why are you running

maidaawil
Автор

thats the annoying part though. I do know some people may get a little bit of a runny nose with really spicy food, but i cant eat a spicy meal without dripping and honking the whole time. its gross, impossible to hide from those around me and i love the spice so no longer eating it is hardly an option :S it always seems like im the only one who has it this badly.

DiaborMagics
Автор

Could you please make a video about why we close our eyes when we sneeze? Thank you so much!

Minderfulife
Автор

I god damn hate it because I can't eat it in piece

UT_
Автор

Can you become desensitized to the hotness of spicy food or is that just a myth?

EuropeChannel
Автор

I'm so glad I wasn't eating when she listed the different snot names. Ew.

RedLeader
Автор

Why does spicy good make your ass hurt when you take a dump

CounciKids
Автор

eating hot Cheetos while watching this

PhilDM
Автор

This back ground music sounds so familiar.Kahoot?

christophervaldes
Автор

Why do people eat foods so spicy that they cause pain? Masochism

hfhifi