January 31, 2020
According to experts, our spice tolerance is merely a mental perception and we can control the ability to consume hot foods through exposure. After all, spices enhance the flavour of food and make the act of eating an enjoyable experience rather than a process that we must carry out in order to survive. Here at Royal Nawaab, our dishes are made with authentic Indian and Pakistani spices which can be too hot for those with a non-existent spice tolerance. Read on as we go over everything a beginner should know when it comes to consuming spicy food…
From a scientific point of view, it is the chemical capsaicin that gives spicy food its kick. In fact, it binds to receptors inside in the mouth known as VR1 and this causes a sensory neurone to be transmitted, creating the signature burning feeling on the tongue. In fact, the amount of capsaicin often indicates the strength of a particular spice.
People who find it difficult to consume spicy food due to the capsaicin chemical often avoid it completely. With this said, there are a variety of different benefits that can be obtained from the implementation of spice in the diet. For example, turmeric contains curcumin which is known to reduce inflammation, cinnamon is known to help regulate blood sugar levels and ginger is thought to be able to treat nausea.
Unless a person is brought up eating spicy food throughout childhood, it is natural for the capsaicin chemical to cause an overwhelming stimulation when spice is eaten. As a result, the most effective way for beginners to build up a tolerance to spicy food is to start slowly with low levels of spices and gradually build up the heat. In addition to this, coolants like milk and sour cream can provide instant relief when a dish is too hot.
There are many myths about the consumption of spice, however the most prominent states that capsaicin, the chemical found in spicy food, will destroy an individual’s taste buds and is it this process that gives people their tolerance to incredibly hot food. Luckily, this is merely a temporarily phenomenon. To find out more information, get in contact with a member of Royal Nawaab team or book a table at our Manchester or London restaurant today!
