Introduction: Today, with dishes like boiled fish, spicy stir-fry, grilled fish, and hot pot... spiciness is undoubtedly the most popular flavor. Spicy food is a favorite for many, and that fragrant, fiery taste is incredibly satisfying. However, not everyone can eat spicy food. Experts warn that seven groups of people should avoid eating chili peppers, as it can trigger diseases and health hazards.
Patients with Hemorrhoids
As the saying goes, "nine out of ten people suffer from hemorrhoids." Friends who have hemorrhoids should pay attention. Although chili peppers are rich in vitamin C and can stimulate the taste buds, increasing appetite in hot weather, they are also highly irritating. For people with hemorrhoids, eating chili can easily cause congestion and swelling of hemorrhoidal veins, further aggravating the condition and potentially leading to perianal abscesses. Additionally, chili can worsen constipation, making hemorrhoids more severe. Therefore, patients with hemorrhoids should avoid eating chili peppers, especially in the summer.
Those Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine
Capsaicin can affect the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, so patients taking TCM should avoid spicy foods. While on TCM, one's diet should be relatively light, and one cannot eat chili or any irritating foods, as this can cause a relapse of the illness. Due to the stimulation of capsaicin, stomach acid secretion increases. Excess stomach acid can cause the gallbladder to contract and the sphincter of the bile duct to spasm, leading to difficulty in bile excretion. This can induce cholecystitis, biliary colic, and pancreatitis. Furthermore, patients with these conditions should eat more foods rich in dietary fiber and avoid strongly irritating foods like radishes, chili, and onions, as this can easily trigger biliary colic and worsen the condition.
Patients with Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases
The capsaicin in spicy foods causes a sharp increase in circulating blood volume, accelerates the heart rate, and leads to tachycardia. A large intake in a short period can lead to acute heart failure or even sudden death.
Patients with Kidney Disease
The capsaicin in spicy foods is excreted by the kidneys and can damage kidney parenchymal cells. In severe cases, it can lead to changes in kidney function or even kidney failure.
Pregnant and Postpartum Women
This group may experience symptoms like canker sores and constipation from eating spicy food, and it can also cause illness in their breastfed infants.
Patients with Hyperthyroidism
Since these patients already have a fast heart rate, eating spicy food will further accelerate it, making the symptoms more pronounced.
Patients with Conjunctivitis and Keratitis
Li, a 22-year-old student at 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 dishes that were heavily spiced. Unexpectedly, two days later, Li's eyes felt hot and his eyelids became swollen. A visit to the hospital resulted in a diagnosis of conjunctivitis. After questioning the doctor, he stated that Li's condition was related to his love for spicy food.
Experts explain that heating spices like chili peppers dilate and充血 the blood vessels in the eyes, reducing the eye's resistance to infection and making one more susceptible to conjunctivitis. Furthermore, spicy foods should be avoided in the summer, and the diet should be light. Therefore, patients with symptoms like conjunctivitis and keratitis should strictly avoid chili peppers during their illness, as eating spicy food can easily lead to "internal heat" and worsen the condition.