if you have a low tolerance for spicy food, can you accustom ur system to it?

Question

how can i build up a tolerance for spicy food? i'd like to be more adventurous in my culinary pursuits.

Answer 1

I used to hate spicy food and wouldnt go near it for nothing....but now i eat it curry and vindaloo and they are the spiciest foods. I've gotten used to them and if you eat it all the time you will be used to it

Answer 2

You will have to build a tolerance over time. Start slowly, with mildly spicy foods, and work your way up. Something that may help you is to understand the nature of the chemical that produces the "heat" in spicy food. Capsaicin is the molecule found in chili peppers that produces the sensation of "heat" through a reaction with the nerves in your mouth. There are similar compounds found in black/white pepper and Sichuan pepper. Something that may help you enjoy spicy food more is knowing how to tame the burn when it is too much for you. Try using milk or even sour cream (this is why it is popular with spicy food) to tame the heat. Don't use the fat-free kind! Capsaicin is a fat-soluble compound, therefore, drinking water won't help more than just momentarily. The fats in milk & sour cream allow the Capsaicin to bond with them at the molecular level, thus flushing them out of your mouth. This may be more than you wanted to know, but try a little bit at a time, and you may be enjoying spicier food before you know it!

Answer 3

There's really no way to build up a tolerance to really spicy foods. You can probably make baby steps in order to get use to slightly spicey foods. But try this, have some cheese or milk with your spicy foods. Dairy products neutralize the burn of spicy foods. You'll still get the full effect of the heat but when you've had enough you can drink some milk and it takes the majority of the burn away.

Answer 4

I am the same especially for very spicy foods but milder spices are okay. Just look for milder kinds. Curry powder is good. Try that. I usually lessen the amount of I use of a very hot spice and mix it with others till I get what I want. I don't think you can build up a tolerence.

Answer 5

Try going from the least spicy, to a little spicier every week. My 8 year old son can eat REALLY spicy food. But he's built a tolerance since he was like 2 years old. Once you get the hang of it, it's really addicting!

Answer 6

The body has incredible capability of adjusting to its environment. Thus if you will take in spicy foods in small quantities and work your way up, your tounge will adjust and soon you will notice that you can take in more spicy foods than usual. Just have lots of water on the side.

Answer 7

try this:

Firehouse Chili Recipe courtesy Jim Campbell



Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 10 to 15 servings
User Rating:




Sauce:
12 ounces tomato paste
16 ounces tomato sauce
1 (24-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
3 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1/2 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons parsley
2 teaspoons oregano
1 (24-ounce) can pork and beans
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (24-ounce) can chili hot beans
1 tablespoon chipotle powder
1 teaspoon habenero chile powder
4 whole red habaneros
6 jalapenos
2 New Mexican chiles
1/2 pound elbow macaroni or spaghetti
1 pound steak, cut of choice
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1/2 (12-ounce) can or bottle of beer

Serving suggestions: crackers and cheese


In a large kettle on low simmer combine tomato paste, tomato sauce, kidney beans, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, parsley, oregano, pork and beans, salt, pepper, chili hot beans, chipotle powder, habenero powder, habaneros, jalapenos, New Mexico chiles, and dry pasta and bring to a simmer. While that is simmering, grill the steak, and brown the pork and beef in a large saute pan. Drain the meat, season to taste, and add to sauce. Add the beer and cook for 30 minutes. Serve with crackers and cheese.

Answer 8

Yes. But you will have to adapt it to your lifestyle. SOmetimes the spices can cause havoc. You have to like plan for it.

Answer 9

Perharps u can do it step by step. But usually it's a long and difficult process.

Answer 10

depends on teh spices,,,fr example pepper willnot effect u