My DH is like your cousin, and I tease him that he must have no taste buds! He has a very high metabolism, as well (that's just not fair, lol!).
There are certain spices and "spicy hot" foods, like peppers, ginger, cinnamon, wasabi and curry, that have some health benefits. As others here have already replied, if your cousin is not experiencing any negative effects, she's probably okay. I have a friend who, like your cousin, piles on the heat to my consternation. I couldn't do that, my stomach is far too sensitive.
However, when I lived in North Africa, the further I traveled into the Sahara, the spicier the food. They have a red peppery paste called harissa that is used in a lot of their cooking. This is based on the principle that sweating is your body's natural cooling method. After returning to the States, I found I could no longer tolerate such heat on my food and avoid really spicy foods. Plus, I was hospitalized after a wonderful Indonesian meal because of a negative reaction to the curry. Not fun.
Another consideration about toleration for spicy foods is whether or not your cousin suffers from gastric reflex. Another friend of mine developed nasty ulcers along his esophagus from gastric reflux and has been told to avoid spicy foods because they're among the triggers for him.
Some people simply have a higher tolerance level than others. All the same, I hope your cousin listens to her body and will seek medical attention at the first sign that something's not quite "usual" for her.
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My DH is like your cousin, and I tease him that he must have no taste buds! He has a very high metabolism, as well (that's just not fair, lol!).
There are certain spices and "spicy hot" foods, like peppers, ginger, cinnamon, wasabi and curry, that have some health benefits. As others here have already replied, if your cousin is not experiencing any negative effects, she's probably okay. I have a friend who, like your cousin, piles on the heat to my consternation. I couldn't do that, my stomach is far too sensitive.
However, when I lived in North Africa, the further I traveled into the Sahara, the spicier the food. They have a red peppery paste called harissa that is used in a lot of their cooking. This is based on the principle that sweating is your body's natural cooling method. After returning to the States, I found I could no longer tolerate such heat on my food and avoid really spicy foods. Plus, I was hospitalized after a wonderful Indonesian meal because of a negative reaction to the curry. Not fun.
Another consideration about toleration for spicy foods is whether or not your cousin suffers from gastric reflex. Another friend of mine developed nasty ulcers along his esophagus from gastric reflux and has been told to avoid spicy foods because they're among the triggers for him.
Some people simply have a higher tolerance level than others. All the same, I hope your cousin listens to her body and will seek medical attention at the first sign that something's not quite "usual" for her.
February 2, 2009 - 5:28pmThis Comment
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