Hot & Spicy Foods: Why Do They Make Us Sweat & Clear Our Sinuses?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the physiological effects of spicy foods, specifically why they induce sweating and clear sinuses. Participants explore the mechanisms behind these responses, referencing personal experiences and cultural references.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why spicy foods cause sweating and sinus clearing, sharing a personal anecdote about the effectiveness of spicy chicken compared to cold medicines.
  • Another participant agrees on the effectiveness of spicy foods for sinus relief but does not provide an explanation.
  • A participant humorously references a specific Seinfeld episode involving kung pao chicken, linking it to the discussion.
  • One contributor mentions that capsaicin, a compound found in spicy foods, may interact with protein kinases, suggesting a potential physiological role.
  • Another participant proposes that the sensation of heat in the mouth could trigger a sweating response from the brain due to perceived pain or heat.
  • A later reply supports the idea that the body is "tricked" into sweating by the sensation caused by spicy foods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the effectiveness of spicy foods for clearing sinuses, but the underlying mechanisms remain contested and unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on assumptions about physiological responses and the role of specific compounds like capsaicin, which are not fully explored or defined in the discussion.

Pengwuino
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So I was wondering (after laughing at a hilarious Seinfeld episode as usual) something, why does spicy food make people sweat? Also, why do some foods seemingly set off a bomb in your sinuses and clear them out pretty dang well? I've had chicken that was about 100x more effective then any cold medicines I've ever had when it came to relieving a stuffed up nose and things like that.
 
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I don't know why spicy foods do this, but I do have to agree with you on the effectiveness of spicy foods to clear your sinuses.
 
I don't know either, but would the episode happen to have been the one where George is eating the kung pao chicken? :-)
 
andrewchang said:
I don't know either, but would the episode happen to have been the one where George is eating the kung pao chicken? :-)

Yes sir!:smile: :smile: :smile:

I wonder why the food feels hot too... i mean I've eaten some cold cold chicken before that "burnt" my mouth ten ways to sunday.
 
spicy (picante) things like tabasco have capsacin. capsacin is a type of molecule known as a phorbol ester, and will bind protein kinases such as PKC. maybe this plays a role in the physiology.
 
Maybe since you have a sense of painful heat in your mouth your brain thinks its time to sweat because of the pain and/or heat?
 
yep Mk, that's right...we are tricked into sweating.
 

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