The Science of Spicy Foods

Alexander Webb ā The Wandering Writer
Some love them, some hate them, but there is no doubt that spicy food is a hot topic. But why is spicy food spicy? Why do we like food that sometimes hurts? Are we the only animals that like it spicy? Letās find out.
Spicy Food is Sort of an Accident
Spicy food tastes āhotā because of the way capscaicināa compound in spicy foodsābinds to something known as the VR1 receptorsāpresent in human tongues and skin. Interestingly, this is somewhat of a biological accident. The VR1 receptors primary purpose is to prevent us from eating things which are hot (in the sense of temperature) which might burn our skin or mouth. It is simply an accident that the compound in spicy foods āfitsā that particular receptor. That’s why spicy things seem āhotā.
Spice Activates Painā¦
Studies showed that both for Americans and Mexicans, the optimal level of spice was just below the threshold at which a dish would become too spicy. This suggested to researchers that humans love of spice is due both to the pleasure, and pain it provides.
ā¦And Pleasure
Although we think of pleasure and pain as completely separate experiences, at the biological level there is interplay between pleasure and pain. Neurons that regulate either sensation are closely linked, both in the way they operate, but also their physical location in the brain.
Animals Donāt Like Spicy Foods
Rats and other animals avoid spicy foods under a host of conditions where we would assume they would love it. In cultures where spicy foods predominate, rats eating leftovers still prefer non-spicy dishes. Rats raised in a laboratory, fed only with spicy foods still prefer mild dishes. Only rats which were unable to taste spice had no preference.
So remember, the next time you want to throw some sriracha on your lunch, thank a biological accident, and the fact that humans like both pleasure and pain, for the reason it tastes so good.