Everything you need to know about chilli including recipes
Have you ever wondered why you love all things spicy, and others can’t stand it? Well, we have all the answers, and they’re coming in HOT.
For some, a gentle kick of spice is enough to blow their tops off, and for others, hot sauce is a handbag essential (yes, I carry a mini bottle of it wherever I go).
But after heading out for a night of Indian food with both chilli lovers and chilli haters, it made me wonder: why can
I tolerate the spice, and some can’t? Is it genetic? Or is it to do with personality types? So naturally,
I took to Google – and after scouring the internet, all of my burning questions were answered.
Why do some people like chilli?
Believe it or not, there’s scientific evidence why some people love the kick.
Capsaicin (aka, the active irritant component of chilli), is the culprit of the burning sensation caused when eating spicy food.
But what happens to your body when it comes in contact with your skin?
It actually triggers the body into thinking it’s in danger, and releases endorphins as a way to fight the ‘threat’ that is spice. Yep, that’s the hormone that promotes feelings of relaxation and pleasure, which is why some people love chilli so much!
Is liking spicy food genetic?
If you’re a spice fan, your siblings are spice fans, and so are your parents, that’s because it may actually be down to your genetic composition.
According to an article by Stanford University’s The Dish On Science, research has been conducted on identical twins to determine similarities to spice tolerance.
They said that: “it concluded that genetics account for 18-58% of humans’ spice tolerance, as identical twins were more likely to show matching spice preferences”. Your obsession with or hatred for spice might just be in your blood!
I hate spicy food. Could I ever build up my tolerance to it?
We’re not saying that hating spicy food is bad, but if you’ve ever wanted to join the fiery side, there’s apparently a way!
An article by Kean Health has stated that you can change your nerve endings and desensitise them to all things spicy, making it less painful, and more enjoyable. It’s recommended to just slowly integrate spicy foods into your diet to build up your tolerance.
What does liking spicy food say about your personality?
Are you a thrill seeker and love all things exhilarating? If you are, that might be the reason why you love all things spicy.
A Penn State study found that thrill seekers are tied to the tolerance of heat. Scientist Nadia Byrnes said: “We expected the sensation-seekers to rate spicy meals higher, and they did. Some people like Asian cooking – which may include capsaicin but has other chemesthetic ingredients, too, like ginger and wasabi. They don’t rate it as intense.”
Is chilli good for you?
YES! According to a study conducted by the American Heart Association, by incorporating this vitamin C and antioxidant-rich ingredient into your diet, it could lower your risk of dying from cancer or cardiovascular diseases, and promote longevity. They’ve also been linked to weight loss and are proven to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes due to their ability to create heat within the body!
Our favourite ‘pack a punch’ recipes:
Spicy Korean-style chicken tacos
For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.
Originally published as Everything you need to know about chilli including recipes
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