Feel the burn: Why does spicy food hurt so much?

What in the World

• Episode: Feel the burn: Why does spicy food hurt so much?
• Website: What in the World
• Feed URL: https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/w13xtvrv.rss
• Duration: 00:13:29
• Published: 2024-06-14 16:28

South Korea’s Buldak noodles are super spicy - and Denmark’s food regulator has now recalled some types of them, saying they could cause "acute poisoning". The company behind the noodles says there are no quality issues. They’re used in extreme food challenges that often go viral online. So we decided to try them ourselves and they were FIERY!

The BBC’s Health and Science Correspondent, James Gallagher, explains why spicy food can make us feel all hot and bothered, how to combat the side effects, and takes us through some common myths about spice.

And one of our BBC colleagues, Akwasi Sarpong, tells us how a tiny bit of extremely hot sauce caused some drama at work.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: William Lee Adams with Benita Barden Producer: Emily Horler Editor: Julia Ross-Roy