- Viral chilli-eating challenges could leave you with stomach cramps, experts say
- In extreme cases, it could even tear your oesophagus, according to case reports
They unquestionably bring a powerful punch to any meal.
But viral chilli-eating challenges could leave you with stomach cramps, violently vomiting and, in extreme cases, even tear your oesophagus, experts say.
Knocking back chillies has been made famous by YouTube shows, such as the Hot Ones. It sees celebrities, such as Cardi B and Louis Theroux, eat spicy sauces while being interviewed by YouTuber Sean Evans.
It has also swept TikTok, with videos of people eating ghost chillies — which are 200-times hotter than a jalapeno — while crying and red-faced clocking up thousands of views.
One video posted by @Ramizeinn, who has 16.3m followers, sees him eat several ghost chillies before glugging down a carton of milk and visibly looking in pain.
In another video, posted by @peteypappi, who has 658,000 followers, sees two people go attempt to eat the peppers but give up half way through.
Dr Duane Mellor, a dietitian at Aston University in Birmingham, warned the trend could trigger digestive problems and, in extreme cases, even raise the risk of cancer.
After eating something spicy, many will notice their lips begin to tingle, develop a burning sensation on their tongue and start sweating due to the overwhelming heat.
But aside to its temporary burning sensation, eating large quantities of hot sauces and chillies, or extremely spicy varieties, can also affect your insides.
One side effect is reflux — when stomach acid travels towards the throat — according to Dr Mellor.
He said: ‘If this goes on for a long time, it can result in changes to our oesophagus and may increase risk of cancer.’
This is because recurrent acid reflux can turn into gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, which raises the risk of oesophageal cancer.
Dr Mellor noted that a combination of how spicy a sauce is and whether it’s eaten as part of a meal or alone will determine how bad the reflux symptoms are.
But eating extremely spicy food can also cause nausea, vomiting, painful bowel movements and diarrhoea.
People who have gut conditions are most at risk of these side effects due to their increased sensitivity in the gut, said Professor Tim Spector, an expert in epidemiology and gut health at Kings College London and co-founder of ZOE.
While not usually severe, a 2016 case report in the Journal of Emergency Medicine detailed that it could lead to a tear in the oesophagus.
It reported on an unidentified 47-year-old man from California, US, who showed up at a hospital’s emergency department after vomiting and developing severe abdominal and chest pains following a ghost pepper eating contest.
Scans revealed that he had a 2.5cm tear in his oesophagus from violently throwing up. He was forced to stay in hospital and eat and drink through a tube for weeks.
Eating more spice than you can handle could also trigger symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
One 2013 Iranian study, found people who eat spicy foods around 10 times a week were 92 per cent more likely to have IBS — which causes stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea — in comparison to those who never had spicy foods.
The findings were based on responses from 4,763 adults. However, results also revealed that spicy foods were not linked to IBS rates in men.
As well as online, chilli-eating at in-person competitions at food festivals have taken off.
They see lovers of heat go head-to-head in a bid to eat extremely spicy chillies as fast as possible. These include the Foodies Festival chilli eating contest, which takes place in multiple locations across the UK every year, and the League of Fire competition, which travels food and chilli festivals across the UK, Europe, US, New Zealand and Australia.
However, eating a typical amount won’t cause any issues, Professor Spector says.
‘As with pretty much every food, eating too much hot sauce can have negative effects. For most people, consuming a moderate amount won’t cause any issues. But as a general rule, if a food gives you intense abdominal discomfort, you should stop eating it or at least lower your dose.’
But as long as you don’t eat a hand full of extremely spicy ghost peppers, eating spicy food can be good for you.
Hot sauces that are minimally processed or homemade may have health benefits, according to Professor Spector.
‘After all, chillies are a plant. They contain healthy plant chemicals called polyphenols, which help support your gut microbiome. And there is some evidence that regularly eating chillies might even extend your life,’ he said.
A Chinese study form 2015 found those who consumed spicy food had a 14 per cent lower risk of meeting an early grave.
Researchers looked at data of almost 500,000 people in the country, aged 30 to 79 at the start of the study, who were monitored for around seven years.
In the follow up, scientists found eating spicy food was linked to a reduced risk of dying from cancer, as well as heart disease and raspatory disease.
This remained the result when analysis was adjusted for risky lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
But to make sure your hot sauce is on the healthy side, it’s best to either make it yourself and avoid ultra-processed jars full of ‘unpronounceable chemical names’, says Professor Spector.
He said: ‘As with many foods these days, it’s the other colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers, and so on that are likely to affect your health in the long run if consumed in excess.
‘If you’re looking for a hot sauce, it’s best to read the label and choose one with a shorter list of ingredients and fewer unpronounceable chemical names.’
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
