What is life without a little spice? This is a question that stands close to the hearts of many of us. Spicy food attracts everyone but revenge often comes with the food itself that we eat and that is made savory in every possible way. Most people from different parts of the world love spice in their food. A dash of those sumptuous chili peppers can just make your food so much tastier and lip-smacking. However just as too much of anything is bad, too much of spice consumed can also lead to a number of problems.
There are many people who even though love spice in their food cannot tolerate that entire amount if consumed on a regular basis. They can experience a number of problems soon after having all that spice that could lead to sensations of abdominal pain, a sensation of burning, bloating and a large number of other discomforts. Let us take a close look at the various causes that can lead to such problems.
Causes of Abdominal Pain After Eating Spicy Food
Following are some basic causes of abdominal pain after eating spicy foods:
Capsaicin – Capsaicin is one of the natural chemicals that are found in chili peppers. This chemical is the cause of the burning sensation that many people feel after having a lot of spicy food.(1) Capsaicin, when comes in contact with the mucosa lining or the stomach walls it connects itself with the receptor of pain and the brain gets the pain signals telling the brain of the pain and the burning sensation. However here it cannot be said that consumption of chili peppers is a bad thing for health. In fact, consumption of capsaicin, in the long run, can be a boon for the health and can help the stomach linings from the formation of stomach ulcers.
Ulcers – Often if you have gastric irritation and other intestinal problems consumption of spicy foods can lead to a number of intestinal problems and you may have to bear severe abdominal pain. For a long time, it was believed that gastritis and even intestinal ulcers are triggered off by spicy and hot food. However, this is not the case. In fact, consumption of spice can help to protect your stomach linings from ulcers if consumed in a limited quantity. However, if you have already developed the problem and undergoing the ailment currently, then consumption of spice on top to it could aggravate the situation and can make the abdominal pain a lot worse for you.(1)
Acid Reflux – Some people can experience acid reflux on having spicy food. In such a situation the person can experience heartburn and a sensation of upper stomach pain. In such a situation the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus that can cause severe gastritis pain. However yet again this is a condition that can get triggered off by late-night meals, very high protein context diet and also too much consumption of alcohol. This is a condition which though not caused by spicy food can get aggravated by spicy food. Hence it is advisable that if you are suffering from such conditions up must get treatments for the condition before you start eating limited amounts of spicy food.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – This is one of the most common forms of intestinal problems that affect a large number of people across the world. IBS is a problem that can get triggered off by too much spice in your food. Actually, in IBS, any type of food that can cause bowel irritation and diarrhea is said to be a problem for the situation.
Researches show that spicy food is one of the largest contributors to IBS in adults. Hence abdominal pain after having spicy food can also be an indication of IBS.(1)
Remedies For Abdominal Pain After Eating Spicy Food
Different people react in a different ways to spice. Most researches into the domain have said that a limited amount of spice is always good for the body, the digestive system as a whole and the health of the person in general. However, some people have been found to be intolerant to spice. If you are having an abdominal pain after eating spicy food then the following home remedies can come to your help.
Peppermint Tea – Researches have proven the point that peppermint is a food item that has a number of beneficiary aspects for a tender stomach. Peppermint can be an excellent remedy for abdominal pain after having spicy food. Peppermint can be used for gastrointestinal cramps, for IBS problems, gas, vomiting, nausea and an upset stomach in general. You can also have peppermint to reduce the adverse effects of acid reflux that often causes heartburns, tension headaches and vomiting. You can take to drinking gentle peppermint tea in such conditions, as it can be really beneficial for the situation.
Ginger Root – Ginger is also a food item that has a number of beneficial effects on the tender stomach. This is a food item that can be used in different conditions like motion sickness, nausea and vomiting, and heartburn. Ginger root is considered to be safe for most of the people. However pregnant women must limit the intake of ginger roots. Infants who are less than two years of old must not be given ginger roots. They can have it in dried forms or other forms like herb capsules, tea, lozenges and other forms of chewable tablets. You can also have it in the form of gingerbread and ginger ale and make homemade dry ginger. Cut fresh raw ginger and dry it under sub. Then sprinkle some salt for taste.
Conclusion
If you are facing problems after having spicy and hot food, it is important that you must cut down on the spice intake on a general scale. You must be alert and observant about the symptoms that you have after eating spicy food. Stop the intake of spicy food at the earliest even if for a short period. Once you feel that you have improved your health condition then you can resume your regular diet slowly.
- Sissons C, Why do I feel sick after I eat? Medical News Today, 2018 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321318.php
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