Spicy Foods: why?

I was just wondering this. Why do some people like spicy foods so much?

Personally I love it from time to time. And I've known some people who seem to enjoy bragging about how hot their peppers are that they eat, kind of like a toughness thing... me, I don't care haha. I'll admit when something is uncomfortably spicy, but at the same time I still love it, and for the life of me I don't know why.

It's almost like masochism. I had some Chinese takeout earlier, this chicken stuff with these evil little skinny red peppers in it... those things were terribly spicy for me, just biting one causes my blood pressure to skyrocket probably and I immediately start sweating, some times to the point where my hair is actually wet, and its a really uncomfortable burning but I still like it!

Why is that?

For me it's because I grew up with it. I was born and raised in New Orleans, you can't get any better than that when it comes to food. And we like our food hot! For others, I don't know.

I have never understood it. I like food to taste good without being painful. The only spicy things I like are very flavorful, and the spiciness is just an unfortunate side-effect that goes along with the flavor, as with garlic and wasabi.

I think sometimes the heat of good food makes it better, gives it a real warming, sinus clearing burst - makes it taste fresher and more heightened. When it gets too hot it can be overbearing, but when it's right I think it heightens the other flavours.

Because when I eat them it is proof that they are not the boss over me.

There are probably a multitude of reasons: they were raised in a family where it was the norm, everyone else is doing it, they want to look tough without doing anything too dangerous. Also: some people are easily drawn to what the body needs, and spicy foods do have many benefits.

It's not just spicy that seems a bit odd; think about it: why do some people like very sour foods, or very bitter? I mean: straight black coffee? Unsweetened lemons? I'll take something spicy over either of those any day of the week.

Originally Posted by mutton

There are probably a multitude of reasons: they were raised in a family where it was the norm, everyone else is doing it, they want to look tough without doing anything too dangerous. Also: some people are easily drawn to what the body needs, and spicy foods do have many benefits.

It's not just spicy that seems a bit odd; think about it: why do some people like very sour foods, or very bitter? I mean: straight black coffee? Unsweetened lemons? I'll take something spicy over either of those any day of the week.

Haha yeah, that's true I suppose.

And actually out of curiosity I read a bit about the benefits of capsaicin (what makes peppers hot) and I hadn't noticed before but it is supposed to have quite a few medicinal benefits, and I do tend to feel better overall after eating some.

Personally, I love spicy foods. I grew up with two cultures from opposite ends of the world that appreciate spicy foods for taste and intensity. At this point I can handle a habanero (better cooked, but beware as the air will become unbearing!) and be able to actually TASTE the flavor compared to that of a serrano or slightly less intense pepper.

Why? Once you get past the intense heat, you can start tasting the actual pepper... its AMAZING. The benefits are a definite bonus.

But, theres more to it than flavor... the burning sensation, intense sweating, my brain racing and screaming, watery eyes, ears clog up, clammy hands.... but then as it wears down and you begin to notice the numbness, a sort of calm and relieving feeling washes over and I feel light headed and my body temperature feels cool again, almost like a high of some sort and I can breathe clearly again. It can't get any better than this.

I just feel damn good when I eat spicy foods.

Mmmmm... Endorphins
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Originally Posted by sprinkles

I was just wondering this. Why do some people like spicy foods so much?

Personally I love it from time to time. And I've known some people who seem to enjoy bragging about how hot their peppers are that they eat, kind of like a toughness thing... me, I don't care haha. I'll admit when something is uncomfortably spicy, but at the same time I still love it, and for the life of me I don't know why.

It's almost like masochism. I had some Chinese takeout earlier, this chicken stuff with these evil little skinny red peppers in it... those things were terribly spicy for me, just biting one causes my blood pressure to skyrocket probably and I immediately start sweating, some times to the point where my hair is actually wet, and its a really uncomfortable burning but I still like it!

Why is that?

OH DEAR GOD those chinese ones are terrible. I was with my estj friend and we both had one. At first we looked at each other all tough and stuff...."yea it's actually not that hot" .....30 seconds later.....we both look at each other in pain and run for the water..... 10 minutes later we are still freaking out.