Why does spicy food make us sweat? Understanding capsaicin’s thermoregulatory effects

Spicy food makes us sweat because capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, tricks the body’s heat sensors into thinking it’s hot. This triggers the brain to activate cooling mechanisms like sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. At the same time, capsaicin increases metabolic heat production. These independent processes cause the sensation of warmth and sweating even without actual heat rise. Regular exposure can reduce sensitivity to this effect over time.