We often talk about the "allure of spiciness," and for many, a meal isn't satisfying without some heat. However, autumn is not the season for overly spicy food. Let's break down why.
Among the "five flavors"—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—none is as captivating and addictive as spicy food. Eating spicy food can cause profuse sweating in a short time, which feels very pleasant. This is because spiciness stimulates sweat gland secretion, accelerates metabolism and the circulation of qi and blood, and has certain health benefits. However, spicy food should be consumed in moderation. Excessive consumption has side effects, not only causing constipation and "internal heat" (上火), but also making one more susceptible to colds or other illnesses—a risk that is often overlooked. The main reason for this is the decrease in immunity caused by eating too much spice.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chili peppers are considered "pungent foods" with a strong "dispersing" effect. Overconsumption can easily "consume qi" (耗气). Therefore, eating too much spicy food can leave one feeling weak and fatigued. "People with 'qi deficiency' should not eat too much spicy food," says Professor Yang Li from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. These individuals often exhibit symptoms like a weak constitution, fatigue, and excessive sweating. Due to the dispersing nature of chili peppers, they would sweat profusely, worsening their condition. For those who are naturally prone to "yin deficiency and excess fire" (阴虚火旺), symptoms such as a dry mouth, a sore throat, and constipation are common. While eating spicy food might be momentarily satisfying, it will later make these symptoms several times worse. Generally, spicy food is better suited for people in humid regions like Sichuan; for those in drier northern regions, symptoms like "internal heat" and "qi deficiency" can be more severe. A recent study in Germany shows 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 stomach ulcers.
Furthermore, the season matters when it comes to eating spicy food. "The best season for spicy food is winter, when it's cold and chili peppers help raise body temperature. The worst season 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 to eat spicy food.