Parineeti Chopra, who is pregnant with her first child with Raghav Chadha, once opened up about her love for spicy food, saying: "Spicy food is tastier than normal. And when people say, Tabasco is chilli, I laugh at them. Govind, main kitna teekha khaana khaati hun? (Govind, how much spicy food do I eat?')" she asked her staff, to which he responded, "Bahut" (A lot). According to her candid confession on her YouTube channel, she has tried the hottest chillies "ever eaten in my life" on two separate instances, one of which almost "killed" her. "In Budapest and Australia.You can't touch it with your naked hands, so use gloves. When it enters the kitchen, you have to clear out all other food. They had made a chutney version of it, and I had a spoonful of it with rice. That was the only chilli in the world that killed me. There is nothing spicy in India (laughs). It is all tasty. People are going mad, sweating and crying.but I'm like, 'what's up?' I really like that!" But how much is too much spice? As a consultant dietitian, Kanikka Malhotra said that the enthusiasm for spicy food mirrors the vibrant flavours of Indian cuisine and can even add a dash of wellness to any meal. "Spices like chilli and turmeric not only ignite the palate but have been linked to increased metabolism, better appetite control, and anti-inflammatory effects—making meals both exciting and health-boosting," said Malhotra. What to note? However, moderation remains key. According to Malhotra, overindulging in spicy foods can sometimes irritate the stomach lining, worsen symptoms for those with digestive sensitivities, or trigger heartburn and discomfort. "So, enjoy the zing and zest of spice, but listen to your body’s limits—embrace flavour, but don’t let heat overwhelm health," said Malhotra. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
