Love Spicy Food? Here’s Why You Can’t Get Enough

hot peppers, chili, sharp, red, cutlery, fork, paprika, vegetables, chilli pepper, sharpness, fiery, food, chili peppers, spice up, red pepper, seasoning, hot, meal, pods, vegetarian, bell pepper, fruity hot, chilli, chili, chili, chili, fork, chilli, chilli, chilli, chilli, chilli

Love Spicy Food?

Here’s Why You Can’t Get Enough

Have you ever taken a bite of something spicy and felt your mouth burn—but instead of stopping, you kept going? Well, I sure do! Spicy foods are a fundamental part of the culinary traditions in some cultures. Some always include it in their dishes, while others keep it on the side to add later for an extra punch. There are people who don’t like the heat due to personal preferences or health conditions.

If you’re a spice lover, you know the thrill. Whether your pizza is drenched in hot sauce or you love the heat in your red Thai curry, there’s something addictive about spicy food.

But why do we love the heat? Let’s jump into it.

The Sensation: Why the Heat Feels so Good

Personally, I love the heat that comes along eating spicy food. But there’s a limit on how I like mine to be hot. The heat levels of food are measured using the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale, which was developed by Wilbur Scoville in 1912. This scale measures the concentration of capsaicin, the compound responsible for spiciness. The Scoville scale helps categorize spiciness of various foods, making it easier to understand and compare heat levels.

Our tongue has 5 main tastes—sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. Pain is actually what we experience when we eat fiery meals. Spicy food tricks your body into thinking it’s in pain. The compound capsaicin, found in chili peppers, activates the heat receptors on your tongue. Your brain literally thinks you’re on fire, so it responds by releasing endorphins and dopamine—the same feel-good chemicals that come from exercise or laughing.

That’s why eating spicy food can feel like a mini-adrenaline rush.

Carolina Reaper

(1,641,183 – 2,200,000 SHU)

The hottest chili in the world, has a wrinkled red exterior and a scorching heat with a hint of sweetness.

Photo by Anyasez via Pexels

The Psychology: Craving Spicy Food

Do you love spicy food, or are you someone who doesn’t even enjoy it? A lot of it comes down to personality and exposure.

Sensation-Seeking Personality – Research suggests that people who enjoy spicy food often have higher sensation-seeking traits, meaning they crave intense experiences—similar to those who like horror movies, extreme sports, or love taking on wild amusement rides.

Exposure and Conditioning – If someone grows up in a culture where spicy food is common, they learn to associate it with positive emotions, social bonding, or family meals. Over time, their brain links spicy food with pleasure rather than discomfort.

The Challenge and Reward Effect – Spicy food is often seen as test of strength. Whether it’s taking on a spicy wing challenge or eating the hottest pepper, many people enjoy proving that they can handle the heat. For most, it’s just their ego. Hehe.

Emotional Regulation – Some studies suggest that people may eat spicy food as a way to battle stress. The heat-induced adrenaline rush can serve as a distraction from anxiety and tension, providing temporary emotional recharge.

Jalapeño

(2,500 – 8,000 SHU)

A mild-tier chili, commonly used in salsas, tacos, and nachos. It has a fresh, slightly spicy kick without overwhelming heat.

Photo by Ray_Shrewsberry via Pixabay

jalapeno, hot, pepper, spicy, chili, healthy, nutrition, spice, cooking, green, mexican, restaurant, kitchen, cuisine, delicious, tasty, eat, vegetable, vegetarian, vitamins, jalapeno, jalapeno, jalapeno, jalapeno, jalapeno

Health Benefits of Spicy Food

A little heat isn’t just about flavor—it’s good for your body too!

Boost Metabolism – Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, can increase the metabolic rate, helping the body burn more calories and potentially aiding in weight management.
Supports Heart Health – Want to prevent heart disease? Studies show that spicy food may help lower blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol, and improve blood circulation.
Improves Digestion – Certain spices, like chili and turmeric, can stimulate digestion, support gut health, and even help prevent bloating and indigestion.
Strengthens the Immune System – Many spicy foods contain antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and antimicrobial properties that help fight infections and boost immunity.
Releases Feel-Good Chemicals – Spicy foods trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine, creating a natural mood boost similar to the rush experienced after exercise.

Bell Pepper

(0 SHU)

Completely heat-free, bell peppers come in red, yellow, green, and orange varieties, offering a sweet and crunchy taste perfect for salads and cooking.

Photo by Cup of Couple via Pexels

Ways You Can Build Tolerance for the Heat?

If you weren’t born loving spice, don’t worry.—you can train your taste buds. Here’s how:

Start small – Try adding a little bit of spice to your meals and gradually increase it. Over time, you’ll take the pain as just another day in the office.
Mix it with fats – Dairy, like yoghurt and cheese, can mellow out the heat.
Be consistent – The more you expose body to spice, the more it will adapt.
Try different spice sources – Experiment with different types of heat, such as black pepper, wasabi, or hot sauces. You can even start with milder options like paprika or banana peppers before moving on to hotter varieties. Soon, your taste buds will adjust, and heat will feel less intense.

With time, food that once felt painfully spicy can start to taste just right.

Why Some People Can’t Handle Spice?

Are you one of those people who doesn’t like their food spicy? Well, not everyone is built for spice, and that’s okay. Some are genetically have more sensitive taste buds or a lower tolerance for capsaicin. Others simply don’t enjoy the burning sensation.

If you didn’t grow up eating spicy food, your taste buds and brain aren’t accustomed to handling the heat. A low tolerance for pain could also be a factor. Since spicy food activates our pain receptors, those with a lower pain tolerance might find the burning sensation too overwhelming.

Some individuals have sensitive stomachs or conditions like acid reflux or IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome), which can cause discomfort or irritation. It is best to avoid the spice if you don’t want the nature to call you.

If you ever find yourself engulfed by the heat of spice, try these quick fixes:

Drink milk, not Water! – Water consists of polar molecules, whereas capsaicin has a non-polar molecular structure. Because of this, capsaicin does not break down in water; instead, it only dissolves in another non-polar substance. Milk on the other hand help neutralize capsaicin.

Eat bread or rice – Starchy foods act as a physical barrier, coating the tongue and diluting the capsaicin. While they aren’t as effective as dairy, they can still help lessen the heat’s intensity by preventing it from spreading further in the mouth.

Squeeze of lemon or lime – Since capsaicin is alkaline, acid helps break it down and reduce its burning effect. However, acid may irritate sensitive stomachs, so they’re not the best option for everyone.

Dried chili pepper tend to be hotter than their fresh counterparts, primarily due to the concentration of capsaicin.

When a chili is dried, most of the water content evaporates, which leaves the chilies more spicier.

Photo by monicore via Pexels

Dried chili peppers with peppercorns and olive oil bottle on a wooden table for cooking.

Conclusion

So, why do we love spicy food? It’s a mix of thrill, habit, personality, and a bit of science. Whether it’s the adrenaline rush from the heat, the cultural influence on our taste buds, or the health benefits that come with spice, there’s more to why we enjoy it.

Spicy food offers a fun challenge, a chance to push past limits, and even acts as a natural mood booster. So, whether you love the heat or just starting to explore, there’s no denying that a little extra spice can make things a lot more interesting.

A popular Filipino phrase when it comes to enjoying a spicy meal, “Put a little bit of spice in it. Pampagana!”.

Now, I want to hear from you! What’s your favorite spicy dish? Drop it in the comments!!

The Sensation: Why the Heat Feels so Good

The Psychology: Craving Spicy Food

Health Benefits of Spicy Food

Ways You Can Build Tolerance for the Heat?

Why Some People Can’t Handle Spice?

Conclusion

More Articles Here!

Why Do People Hate Cilantro? Science Behind it

10 Things You Must Know Before Becoming A Chef

The Reality of Being a Chef: More than just The Apron

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply