Today, boiled fish, mala xiang guo (spicy stir-fry pot), grilled fish, spicy hot pot... spiciness is undoubtedly the most popular flavor right now. Spicy food is a favorite for many people; that fragrant and spicy taste of chili peppers is incredibly satisfying. However, this type of food isn't for everyone. Traditional Chinese medicine warns that 9 groups of people should absolutely avoid eating chili peppers, as it can trigger diseases and health hazards.
Hemorrhoid Patients: As the saying goes, "nine out of ten people have hemorrhoids." Friends with hemorrhoids should take note. Although chili peppers are rich in vitamin C and can stimulate the taste buds, boosting appetite in the hot summer, they also contain a large amount of irritants. For people with hemorrhoids, eating chili peppers can easily lead to congestion and edema of the hemorrhoidal veins, further aggravating the condition and potentially leading to perianal abscesses. Furthermore, chili peppers can worsen constipation, making hemorrhoids more severe. Therefore, patients with hemorrhoids should avoid chili peppers in the summer.
Those Taking Chinese Medicine: Capsaicin in chili peppers can affect the efficacy of Chinese medicine. Therefore, while taking Chinese medicine, one should avoid spicy foods. Those on Chinese medicine should have a lighter diet and cannot eat chili peppers or any irritating foods, otherwise, it may cause the illness to recur. Due to the stimulation of capsaicin, stomach acid secretion increases, which can cause gallbladder contraction and spasm of the sphincter of the bile duct, leading to difficulty in bile excretion. This can induce cholecystitis, biliary colic, and pancreatitis. In addition, patients with these conditions should eat more foods rich in crude fiber and avoid strongly irritating foods like radishes, chili peppers, and onions, as these can easily trigger biliary colic and worsen the condition.
Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Patients: Capsaicin in spicy food ingredients causes a sharp increase in circulating blood volume, a faster heartbeat, and tachycardia. A large intake in a short period can lead to acute heart failure and even sudden death.
Kidney Disease Patients: Capsaicin in spicy food ingredients is excreted through the kidneys and can damage renal parenchymal cells. In severe cases, it can lead to changes in renal function or even renal failure.
Pregnant and Postpartum Women: This group may experience symptoms like canker sores and dry stools from eating spicy food. It can also cause illness in their nursing infants.
Hyperthyroidism Patients: As they already have a fast heart rate, eating spicy food will further accelerate the heartbeat, making the symptoms more pronounced.
Patients with Conjunctivitis and Keratitis: Xiao Li, a 22-year-old student from a certain university, recently returned to campus for the new semester. He met up with classmates for a late-night snack, and since they all loved spicy food, they ordered all heavily spiced dishes. Unexpectedly, the day before yesterday, Xiao Li's eyes became hot and swollen, and a hospital visit diagnosed him with conjunctivitis. After questioning, the doctor said his condition was related to his love for spicy food.
Experts explain that heating spices like chili peppers can dilate and充血 (congest) the blood vessels in the eyes, reducing the eye's resistance to infection and making one more susceptible to conjunctivitis. Moreover, one should avoid spicy foods and eat a light diet in the summer. Therefore, patients with symptoms like conjunctivitis and keratitis should strictly avoid chili peppers during their illness. Because eating spicy food can easily lead to "internal heat" (shang huo), it can worsen the condition.