spicy food /oss/taxonomy/term/2526/all en Why Some People Tolerate Spicy Foods Better Than Others /oss/article/did-you-know/why-do-some-people-spicy-foods-not-others <p><span>Spicy foods contain a chemical called capsaicin, which activates a receptor found in your mouth and on your tongue called a TRPV1 receptor. There is some variation in the sensitivity of these receptors, and even the amount of them, from person to person. This variance may be one reason some of us can’t handle the spice, and others love it. Studies have shown that repeated exposure to capsaicin raises the amount needed for a similar effect, so it may also be that the more spicy food you eat, the more you can handle.</span></p> Mon, 12 Jun 2017 15:44:28 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 2542 at /oss