Why Does It Burn To Poop After Eating Spicy Food? A Pain Receptor In Your Anus Is Partly To Blame
Jalapenos, chili peppers, and other spicy foods may taste delicious, but for some people, it’s not always a pleasant feeling when they hit the toilet.
Many people, especially those not accustomed to spicy foods, may feel a burning sensation when they poop. Believe it or not, this is because biologically your mouth is very similar to your anus, host Olivia Gordon explains in SciShow’s video below.
Read: Hot Peppers And 3 Other Spicy Foods That Boost Health And Longevity
A lot of spicy foods get their distinct taste from a chemical called capsaicin. When you ingest capsaicin, it binds to a receptor called TRPV1, which is found all over your nervous system, digestive tract, and anus. One of TRPV1’s many jobs is to sense pain and let your brain know.
Not all the capsaicin you eat gets digested, so it has to find an alternate route out of your body. Therefore, when you eat a hot pepper you not only experience the burn in your mouth, but also when you poop, since there are TRVP1 receptors in your anus.
If you can’t recall feeling this sensation, it may be because your body has become accustomed to spicy foods and essentially knows not to panic when it senses them.
Some studies have linked capsaicin to health benefits including pain relief and weight loss.
See also: Spice Up Your Life: Spicy Food Consumption Linked To Lower Risk Of Death
Testosterone Levels Higher In Men Who Eat Spicy Foods: Taking Risks With Taste