Food cravings is something every human experiences, be it for sweet, spicy or like me eat spicy, then sweet then salty to change the taste in your mouth completely. At one point of time or another we have all found our tongues on fire from the spicy burn of foods, followed by chugging gallons of water…tears rolling down your cheeks…a spoonful of sugar here… a bite or bread there all in the hope of surviving the fire and then promising to stay away from anything spicy, only to find yourself yearning for that extra dash of hot sauce or sprinkle of chilli flakes yet again.
Spicy foods are among the staples of numerous locals around the world.
But why is your body suddenly craving everything spice that may not necessarily be nice?
As we all know, it is pretty hard to resist a craving. Cravings for spicy food can be due to several underlying factors.
Here is what your body is trying to tell you when you crave spicy food —
 Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the main active compound found in chillis, chilli peppers and the main ingredient of spicy foods. Capsaicin is responsible for all your spicy food cravings. Constantly eating spicy food and chilli can increase your craving for spicy food.
Overheated
Although it may seem contradictory, craving spicy foods when you’re feeling hot and overheated is fairly common. This is because certain spicy foods actually cool down your body. Capsaicin plays a key role in thermoregulation, that helps maintain your body’s internal temperature. Spicy food makes your body sweat which inturn cools it down.
Social Influences
Your eating habits are significantly influenced by your social environment. If you notice, you tend to eat differently when you are with other people than when you are alone. Societal influences and expectations can influence your eating habits. Constantly eating spicy food when you’re with other people can influence your taste buds and make you crave spicy food.
Depression
If you’re feeling low or going through a bout of depression, try adding spicy food to your meals. This is beneficial as the capsaicin present in these foods may give you a pleasurable sensation. The capsaicin triggers a painful burning sensation in your body to which it responds by releasing endorphins. Capsaicin is said to have antidepressant properties.
Congestion
After eating spicy food, have you ever had a runny nose? Did you know that spicy food is considered a natural remedy when you’re feeling congested or under the weather. Spicy foods clear your sinuses and nasal passages. Next time you’re feeling congested, have a bowl of spicy soup.
 Personal Preference
Some people simply prefer spicy food over sweet or salty food. If you enjoy eating spicy food, chances are you will crave it from time to time.
 Hormonal Imbalance
An imbalance in certain hormones can trigger a spicy food craving. These hormones tend to be serotonin and leptin. Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menstruation or a general imbalance can be responsible for these spicy food cravings.
 Pregnancy
Food cravings, particularly spicy food, are common during pregnancy. This is because of a combination of things like hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies and certain ingredients.
Pregnancy spicy cravings stem from hunger and thirst.
Emotions
Your emotions can make you crave different types of food and may also make you crave sweet, salty, or spicy foods. Be very careful when giving into emotionally driven cravings. It shouldn’t result in constant comfort eating.
Stress
Ahh! Stress! A stressful situation in your life might prompt you to reach for the refrigerator or pantry. Since we usually look for comfort when things are stressful and spicy food is known to release endorphins in our body, spicy food is the clear winner when it comes to stress eating. .
Brain Activity
Increased brain activity can increase your spicy food cravings. People who crave spicy food tend to have higher activity in specific brain regions, like the left putamen, left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral cuneus and the right precentral gyrus. These parts of the brain control movement, learning, cognition and motor control. When there is a surge in these activities, there is an automatic increase in brain activity which enhances your want for spicy food.
Precautions to take while eating spicy food
There isn’t any hard evidence as to the sole cause of spicy food cravings, there are several possible explanations for these cravings.
It is possible to enjoy spicy food, it needs to be eaten in moderation and part of a balanced diet.
It’s important to take certain precautions when eating spicy food.
Spicy food can aggravate gut and digestive system issues like worsening acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcers, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach cramps and chronic gastritis. This can be due to the capsaicin being improperly digested.
Enjoy your spice
Be vigilant of excess consumption
Might I add, keep your life spicy too.
