Female duo Davichi's Kang Min-kyung shed tears over the spiciness of American chicken.
Kang Min-kyung recently went on a food tour in Los Angeles (LA) after a performance in the U.S., as shown in a video titled 'The Year-End of an Extrovert Whose Promise Was Canceled' on her YouTube channel.
In the video, Kang Min-kyung visited a chicken place famous for its extreme spiciness and said, "They said it was so spicy that I ordered the spiciest level (level 7)" as she began tasting it in the car.
Kang Min-kyung showed a long piece of paper like a receipt and explained, "This is not a receipt. I have to sign that I take responsibility if I get sick from the spiciness. I thought, how spicy could American chicken be, so I signed it." The video had a terrifying subtitle that read 'Waiver of Liability.' It actually contained a disclaimer stating, 'I acknowledge that the menu contains extremely spicy food, and that consuming it may result in physical injury, mental distress, or even death, and I agree to this.'
The result was a complete defeat for Kang Min-kyung. She said, "It's a 'shaking moment'" and after taking a bite, she exclaimed, "Oh, I can't eat this. Wow, no way, no way. Do you see my tears?" expressing her pain. She then emphasized, "Never eat this. I'm not joking, don't even try it. I really think someone could die. It seems like only reckless people like me eat this. I'm not joking," she reiterated.
Not only Kang Min-kyung but also others who tasted this chicken left reviews saying, "My mouth felt like it was being burned by a hot iron on my tongue," and "After eating, I had stomach pains. It was the second worst pain I've felt in my life. I felt dizzy."
Many people say they relieve stress with spicy food. However, excessive spiciness can lead to such pain. Let's explore the pros and cons of addictive spiciness.
Benefits of Spiciness
The spiciness we feel is not a taste perceived by the tongue like sweetness or saltiness. It is a type of pain response caused by capsaicin, the spicy component of chili peppers, stimulating the 'pain receptors' in the mouth and stomach lining. In other words, eating spicy food means the body is receiving a signal that it feels "burning."
The MZ generation has a strong preference for spiciness along with sweetness. In fact, spiciness has its benefits and positive effects. First, it alleviates stress. After capsaicin stimulation, the brain releases pleasure-inducing substances like endorphins and dopamine. Because of this, many people feel that their depressed or upset feelings are relieved after eating spicy food.
It also has a metabolism-boosting effect. Spiciness temporarily raises body temperature, increases energy expenditure, and somewhat suppresses appetite. Some studies have observed effects that help with fat oxidation. However, the weight loss effect is limited, and consuming it with high-calorie seasoned foods can actually increase the risk of obesity. Additionally, spiciness can temporarily help people with cold hands and feet by dilating blood vessels.
Side Effects of Spiciness
The problem is that as the intensity of spiciness increases, the side effects become much greater than the benefits. People become addicted to spiciness and face problems as they challenge higher levels.
The most common side effect is damage to the stomach and esophagus. Repeated strong stimulation can damage the stomach lining, causing gastritis and heartburn, and can worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease. The reaction of "I keep eating even though my stomach hurts" is due to the pleasure-reward mechanism that makes one ignore pain.
Gastrointestinal troubles are also frequent. Capsaicin can excessively stimulate bowel movements, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and anal pain. For hemorrhoid patients, it can worsen symptoms.
Experts are particularly concerned about what is called 'spicy food addiction.' Repeated exposure to strong spiciness dulls the pain receptors, leading to a search for stronger stimuli and progressively higher levels. This is a form of sensory addiction where one tolerates pain for pleasure, and gastrointestinal damage can accumulate. In extreme cases, systemic reactions such as increased heart rate, blood pressure fluctuations, dizziness, and cold sweats may occur.
Enjoying Spiciness Healthily
Experts advise that "spiciness should be a target for 'regulation' rather than 'challenge.'" To enjoy spiciness healthily, it is best to stop at the feeling of 'deliciously spicy.' If you experience tears, abdominal pain, or cold sweats, it is already excessive stimulation. You should avoid level competitions. 'Highest level' and 'challenge menu' are results of marketing that are far from health. Eating on an empty stomach is a no-go. You must eat it during meals to reduce irritation to the stomach lining. Additionally, pairing it with milk, yogurt, or cheese is recommended. Capsaicin is neutralized by fats and proteins.
