How Chili Peppers Trigger Heartburn !

When you consume an excessive amount of chili peppers, the process of heartburn can begin almost immediately. This happens because capsaicin, the active compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers, binds to TRPV1 pain receptors in your mouth and throat, which causes a burning sensation.

As you swallow, capsaicin continues its journey down your esophagus and into your stomach, where it may irritate the gastric lining and trigger the overproduction of stomach acid.

Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—a muscle that acts as a barrier between the stomach and esophagus— prevents stomach acid from flowing back up. However, capsaicin has been found to relax this muscle, which allows acidic stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.

Since the esophageal lining is far more sensitive than the stomach’s, the backflow of acidic contents can quickly cause irritation and a burning sensation in your chest — the hallmark of heartburn. This burning may intensify if the acid lingers, leading to inflammation and discomfort that can last for hours.

In some cases, the repeated exposure to stomach acid might even cause small ulcers or erosion in the esophagus, making heartburn more frequent and severe over time.