Table of contents:
- Deafness due to eating super spicy food, is not a myth
- The cause of deafness after eating spicy food
- Eating spicy food is fine, as long as….
Still remember the challenge of eating super spicy noodles from Korea that had time boom recently? For spicy food lovers, maybe the challenge of eating these noodles seems delicious. But, it's a different story for those who really don't like spicy. The reason is, just eating a piece of noodles might make sweat flow profusely on the forehead.
Then recently there was also one vlogger from Indonesia named Ben Sumadiwiria admitted that he was temporarily deaf after consuming super spicy food. This incident suddenly shocked the virtual world.
So, what do the experts say regarding this incident? Is it true that foods that are too spicy can make you deaf? Find out the answer in this article.
Deafness due to eating super spicy food, is not a myth
The temporary deafness, or "deafness" effect caused by eating super spicy foods basically occurs due to the influence of a chemical in chilies called capsaicin.
Capsaicin is a bioactive component which has many benefits for the body's resistance to infection. But on the other hand, capcaisin is a compound that triggers a hot sensation that can trigger irritation to human cells, especially those located in the membranes of the mouth, throat, stomach, and eyes.
In small amounts, capsaicin will generally only trigger a hot sensation that gives a slight warmth, such as causing a "hot" effect when you are hot. However, when you eat more and more super spicy foods, your body will automatically produce mucus and tears as a form of defense against capsaicin. As a result, you will experience a runny nose, a watery mouth due to an increase in saliva in the mouth, and of course sweat.
Well, temporary deafness caused by eating spicy food can be triggered by a blockage of mucus or mucus in the eustachian tube, which is the channel that connects the throat to the ears.
The cause of deafness after eating spicy food
Michael Goldrich, an otolaryngologist from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey, said the sensation of temporary deafness is actually similar to "bindeng" during flu. It's just that, more mucus blockages are not only “bindeng” but also cause deafness.
Another possibility for someone to experience temporary deafness after eating spicy food is because they get excessive stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, which is the nerve in the mouth and face that connects to the cochlear nerve in the ear.
As a result, there will be changes in blood flow in the cochlea, causing temporary hearing loss, said Sam Marzo, head of the Department of Otolaryngology at Loyola Medicine, as quoted from the LiveScience page.
Not only does it trigger temporary deafness, capsaicin also triggers the secretion of endorphins, hormones that relieve stress and trigger feelings of happiness. So, it is not true that after eating spicy food, humans can relax more. Hearing loss due to spicy food usually lasts only briefly. If it lasts for days, then the patient must immediately see a doctor.
Eating spicy food is fine, as long as….
Basically, how much hot sensation you feel depends on the level of your body's sensitivity to the spicy taste itself. In some cases, spicy foods can affect or worsen a medical condition.
However, the effects of this spicy food only increase the intensity of the symptoms of certain medical conditions, not as a risk factor for disease. That is why, for those of you who experience a sensitive stomach, whether it is due to certain diseases or other digestive disorders, you should as much as possible limit excessive amounts of spicy food.
In addition, avoid eating spicy food at night before bed. The reason is, eating spicy food before bed can cause digestive disorders that make it difficult for you to sleep well. In fact, this also applies to people who are used to eating spicy food.
