For people with a low tolerance for spice, eating these foods can actually be pretty painful. This is because of the chemical compound, Capsaicin which is found is spicy foods, like hot peppers.

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Capsaicin binds to pain receptors on your tongue called TRPV1, and warning signals are sent to the brain. The brain then initiates a “cooling off” period to clear out the threat of the spiciness. This causes teary eyes, sweating and a runny nose.

Why do some people love spicy food? The pain response triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine, which creates a feeling of euphoria. Is spicy food good for your body? One study in the journal PLOS One found that those who ate hot peppers had a 13 percent reduced risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.

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