“I absolutely love spicy foods, particular hot Mexican food. However, every time I eat it, my nose runs like a faucet.”
“It’s spicy, but I LOVE IT!”
One of the things you may have noticed is that after enjoying a meal of spicy foods, your nose begins to run. Most people agree that spicy foods cause runny noses. Here are some of the things you should know about spices and how they can make an impact on your health, including runny noses.
What is the connection between runny noses and spicy food? Spicy foods cause runny noses for one simple reason: they contain the chemical capsaicin, an irritating chemical found in peppers. This substance also is the primary irritant in pepper spray. It causes direct inflammatory response on the nerves which releases fluid from nearby blood vessels. The blood vessels in the nose are very close to the surface, and so fluid leaks right out of them.
Fortunately, this condition has a medical name to make doctors sound smart, and it is called “gustatory rhinitis.”
How it works? - [mechanism]
Capsaicin binds to TRPV1 in your nervous system. This protein is an ion channel for Calcium ions and is temperature sensitive (active above body heat). Capsaicin binds to this protein, which drops the temperature it will work at. To alleviate this perceived "heat" the blood vessels in your periphery (e.g. your nose) will move toward the surface and dilate, becoming more permeable. Because it is more permeable, it is more likely to leak fluid (ie. the nose run). The reason why it doesn't run every time you eat a spicy dish is because you can build up a tolerance to the receptor, requiring more capsaicin to achieve the same effect. If the dish isn't spicy enough, no nose run.
While the result may not be aesthetically pleasing, there are actually. . . .
A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY THIS MAY BE A GOOD THING FOR YOUR BODY!
One scenario in which it is a good thing that spicy foods cause runny noses is when you have a COLD. For many people, one of the worst conditions associated with the common cold is a stuffy nose. While it is possible to take a decongestant and get some relief, the fact is the effect will not last all that long and will not do much for your general well being. Instead, send out for a spicy curry! The spices in the curried dish will not only provide your body with some much needed nutrients, but the heat from the spices will act as a natural decongestant, bringing relief quickly without any side effects at all. With a full tummy and the ability to breathe temporarily restored, it is much easier to get the sleep needed to get over a cold. The fact that spicy foods cause runny noses is also a sign that your body needs to expel excess mucus.
They help the veins and arteries in your body to open up and begin to flush out elements that could eventually lead to blockages in your system. This natural phase of house cleaning helps to keep your body in much better operating condition. Spicy foods are nature’s way of allowing the body to perform general maintenance, ensuring fewer health issues and promoting quicker recovery.
Just because spicy foods cause runny noses does not mean that every time you have a spicy dish that your nose is going to run like a water faucet. Basically, if there isn’t much that needs to be expelled from the body, then there will not be much in the way of nose running. While it is true that no one is fond of having a runny nose, the fact is that many people report being able to breathe more clearly and feeling less head congestion after a plateful of hot Thai noodles and a few moments of wiping the nose. In short, the health benefits far outweigh the inconvenience of a couple moments of a runny nose.
“I don’t want runny nose!” Your best bet is avoiding spicy foods, although some researchers have used topical atropine to reduce the effect.
For people who are bothered by symptoms of gustatory rhinitis, the use of Nasal Atrovent (ipratropium bromide nasal spray) can help to prevent and treat the symptoms. It is recommended to place 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril about an hour before eating spicy foods in order to prevent symptoms from occurring. Now you can eat your spicy food without having runny nose!
Prepared by,
Zayan Hadi,
mediaPERUBTAN Mansurah.
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