Eating spicy food is not ideal in autumn; excessive spice weakens the immune system
Among the five flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—none is as appealing and addictive as spicy food. Eating spicy food can induce profuse sweating in a short time, creating a comfortable feeling because the spiciness stimulates sweat gland secretion, accelerates metabolism and blood circulation, and offers certain health benefits. However, spicy food should be consumed in moderation. Excessive consumption has side effects, including constipation, "internal heat" (a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine), and a higher susceptibility to colds or other illnesses, which are often overlooked. The primary reason for this is the immune suppression caused by eating spicy food.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chili peppers are classified as "pungent foods" with strong "dispersing" properties. Overconsumption can easily "consume Qi" (vital energy). Therefore, eating too much spicy food can leave one feeling weak and lethargic. "People with 'Qi deficiency' should not eat too many spicy foods," says Yang Li, a professor from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. This type of person often exhibits symptoms like a weak constitution, fatigue, and excessive sweating. The dispersing nature of chili peppers can cause these individuals to sweat profusely, worsening their condition. Those who are typically prone to "Yin deficiency with excessive fire" often experience symptoms like a dry mouth, sore throat, and constipation. While eating spicy food might be momentarily satisfying, it can intensify these symptoms several-fold afterward. Generally, spicy food is better suited for people living in humid regions like Sichuan. For people in drier northern regions, consuming spicy food can lead to more severe symptoms of "internal heat" and "Qi deficiency." A recent study in Germany indicates that the best time to eat spicy food is at noon, when the digestive system is strongest. Eating spicy food at night can easily lead to conditions like gastric ulcers.
Furthermore, the season matters when it comes to eating spicy food. "Winter is the best season for it, as the cold weather and the ability of chili peppers to raise body temperature complement each other. The worst season for spicy food, however, is not the hot summer, but autumn," says Yang Li. TCM has a theory that the five flavors correspond to the five organs: sour enters the liver, pungent enters the lungs, bitter enters the heart, salty enters the kidneys, and sweet enters the spleen. Autumn is a time when the lungs are particularly prone to "dryness," making it especially unsuitable for eating spicy foods.
Yang Li reminds us: "People have different tolerances for spicy food. The ideal state is to eat a dish that makes you sweat slightly. For mildly spicy dishes, having one a day is fine. For those whose constitution is not suited to spicy food, it is best to limit consumption to once a week at most."