What is the chemical reaction that causes “heat” when eating a pepper?
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It is not a chemical reaction. It is a specific chemical. That compound is called capsaicin. It is evolved by the plant primarily to discourage mammals from eating them, thus leaving them for more birds to eat them (birds cannot taste capsaicin) which in turn allows the seeds to be dispersed over a larger area. The way this happens is that it causes heat receptors in your mouth to activate causing pain and discomfort.
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