If you enjoy spicy food, you're certainly familiar with the feeling that it "hurts so good," but have you ever thought if your love of spicy food could harm you? Spicy peppers are measured on the Scoville scale. Others are higher, while others are lower. Many people consciously choose to eat spicy foods. And on occasion, it may endanger them. According to the BBC, a group of people who had a XXX Hot Chilli Burger ended up in the hospital after their stomach agony, loss of sensation in their hands, and hyperventilation couldn't be relieved by milk. Many participants of an annual hot pepper festival wind up throwing up in discomfort. And consuming hot peppers has frequently led to symptoms that resemble heart attacks.
According to reports, eating hot peppers has also been associated with burning a hole in the esophagus, temporary hearing loss, trouble urinating, burning a hole in the stomach, near blindness, and in one extreme case, even death. More recently, a man visited the ER after trying The Carolina Reaper, dubbed the world's hottest pepper, and complained of a "thunderclap" headache.
Chile peppers are frequently consumed by civilizations that inhabit hot climes, and the quantity of spice used varies with the temperature. Peppers' "spicy" flavor is actually a neurotoxin. Consuming spicy food can cause seizures, heart attacks, and even death in high enough amounts. This clarifies some of the symptoms felt by fans of chili peppers. Due to the potential health risks involved in hot pepper challenges and festivals, many demands that participants sign a waiver. Instead of maybe participating in such a bold event, why not simply add a hefty sprinkle of spicy sauce?
ZS DMO Karla P. Calapardo, RND
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