title
In: Biology
For exactly the same reason it makes the skin elsewhere on the body sweat: many ‘hot’ spices stimulate nerves in such a way that the body thinks it’s being burned, which results in a variety of effects including increased sympathetic nervous system activation.
The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system, which handles reactions that are considered automatic or unconscious. The sympathetic system increases activity of systems associated with the “fight or flight” response, preparations for physical exertion that might take place during physical combat or in fleeing from immediate threats.
In simple terms: the body thinks it’s being physically damaged and freaks out, responding in a whole bunch of ways that would help if we needed to run away from danger, and increased sweating is one of ’em.
Capsaicinoids bind to the TRPV1 receptor in mammals to simulate the body’s response to overheating, resulting in sweating and other cooling attempts. However because birds don’t have the TRPV1 protein they are generally immune from the effects of capsaicin. https://youtu.be/DbluR1DhTSQ
Peppers contain a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin triggers the nerves that make your body feel warmer. Your body thinks it’s hot, so it sweats in order to cool it back down.
Latest Answers