Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Help me with my culinary homework?

  1. #1

    Joined
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    332
    Thanks
    24
    Thanked
    65/44
    DL/UL
    25/0
    Mentioned
    44 times
    Time Online
    30d 4h 22m
    Avg. Time Online
    11m

    Help me with my culinary homework?

    any help would be appreciated seeing as I really don't have the attention span tonight to do this all myself along with my other homework.

    Hot peppers are used in various cuisines of the America's. What causes the food to taste hot?
    What effects do they have on the body?
    Are they safe? Are there risks/benefits to eating hot foods?

    thanks
    Last edited by kieshun; 09-17-2013 at 05:40 PM.

  2. #2
    pinkiwie's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    41
    Userbars
    1
    Thanks
    142
    Thanked
    47/37
    Mentioned
    29 times
    Time Online
    1d 11h 54m
    Avg. Time Online
    N/A
    Well, I don't know for sure, so don't use this without verifying it before, but I've heard that the "hot" feeling you get when eating pepper is due to the fact that when it touches your tongue, your brain analyses it the same way it would if you ate something very hot. It has to do with neurons and associative parts of your brain.

    For the risks/benefits, if you eat a lot, at some point it can "burn" your taste buds, meaning you'll taste less (therefore will need spicier food to feel the same burn). However, I've heard that spices can reduce microbial counts on food - reason why poorer countries would have learnt through years to spice food a lot so they don't get sick.

    Again, verify this, but I hope they'll give you some lines of approach for your homework ! (And I hope I'm not too late haha.)

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to pinkiwie For This Useful Post:

    kieshun (09-18-2013)

  4. #3

    Mod's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    2,800
    Userbars
    7
    Thanks
    1,563
    Thanked
    4,717/2,508
    Mentioned
    1,368 times
    Time Online
    131d 12h 4m
    Avg. Time Online
    45m
    -Capsaicin is the active compound in peppers that make them "hot".

    -What @(you need an account to see links) said. Capsaicin binds to specific receptors on neurons which trigger sensations to your brain similar to a "burning". It is also a natural anti-microbial (and pest deterrent).

    -In small/moderate doses, yes. There are benefits, I just forgot them and am too lazy to read up on them.
    Too much though, and your taste buds could be overstimulated to stop working (temporarily). It will also raise cortisol (stress hormone) levels in your body, intestinal inflammation, excessive sweating (lol), among other things. It can *eat away* at the mucous membranes of your digestive system, cause acne, etc. Lots of negative effects - but only if you eat an absurd amount of extremely potent peppers. The types most restaurants never carry that you'd eat for novelty though, so unless you have a fetish for this stuff, you'll be good.

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mod For This Useful Post:

    kieshun (09-18-2013),pinkiwie (09-19-2013)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •