Pepper X is world’s hottest chilli pepper. How is it different from others? Should you eat it?

“I was feeling the heat for three-and-a-half hours. Then the cramps came,” said Currie to AP, one of only five people so far to eat an entire Pepper X. “Those cramps are horrible. I was laid out flat on a marble wall for approximately an hour in the rain, groaning in pain.”

Pepper X holds the record with an average of 2.69 million units. In comparison, police officers typically carry roughly 1.6 million units of pepper spray. Bear spray promotes itself at 2.2 million units.

There is no “maximum” amount of pepper that is healthy for a person because spiciness is a spectrum like sexuality. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

The variety of chillies are cooked differently to be digested in the body, explained Chef Vaibhav Bhargava of Cho: “Generally, the seeds are difficult to digest. So are chilli flakes.”

There is no “maximum” amount of pepper that is healthy for a person because spiciness is a spectrum like sexuality. “Spice tolerance is subjective, and factors such as personal preference, genetics, and tolerance levels play a significant role,” explained Dr G Sushma, dietician, CARE Hospitals.

Why some people like spicy foods may be a separate conversation but research has noted that moderate quantities of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in peppers, can have some potential health benefits, including pain relief, improved metabolism, and antioxidant properties. Dietician Ruchi Rai at SRV Hospitals, Goregaon, added that it can help alleviate discomfort related to conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and neuropathic pain.

However, consuming excessively spicy foods, like Pepper X, can lead to adverse effects such as digestive discomfort, stomach irritation, and in some cases, more severe gastrointestinal problems, according to Dr Sushma. She warned individuals with certain medical conditions or sensitivities to be especially cautious.

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