“Hot Topic”

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: November 18, 2008

Dear Karen,

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Q:  These recipes are not your usual run of the mill hot, they include copious amounts of hot pepper flakes, ounces of hot sauce, jalapeno peppers in great quantity and other spicy condiments in unusually high amounts.  “Is this good for us”?  Is there any reason to think that our acid reflux and heartburn come from these foods?  Could these extremely hot foods do any damage to our esophagus, stomach or intestines? 

Gretna, Virginia

A:  Most people I talk to either love spicy foods or hate them.  Rarely, have I found someone who thinks they are just okay.  From what I have found spicy foods are not “bad” for us. 

“There is no medical evidence that this “burning” sensation is detrimental to your health,” says 10 On Your Side Health Expert, Dr. Mark Greenawald with Carilion Clinic.

And spicy food lovers can rejoice because food with kick doesn’t cause damage to our insides.

Dr. Greenawald says, “In some people, spicy foods can cause or worsen symptoms of acid reflux, though they do not cause the symptoms.”

Acid reflux is caused when the lower part of the esophagus loses its ability to contract enough to keep the acid from back flowing. 

“Although it’s still unclear exactly what causes the LES to weaken, several factors have been shown to contribute to and worsen acid reflux,” says Greenawald.

Other acid reflux triggers include:

Obesity
Pregnancy hiatal hernia
Smoking
Alcohol
Caffeine consumption
Eating large meals
Eating before bedtime Medications such as antihistamines
Calcium channel blockers
Theophylline and nitrates
Fatty, fried, and spicy foods
Tomato-based foods
Citrus fruits
Chocolate
Mint
Garlic and onions