Why does eating spicy food make a runny nose?

Generally, spicy food definitely uses chili and pepper. Both of these spices contain capsaicin, which is a substance that causes a burning sensation when it comes into contact with body tissues, such as on your skin, mouth or eyes.

While the spicy taste of wasabi (Japanese spicy flavor enhancer) or mustard comes from allyl isothiocyanate. Well, this spicy substance in chili or wasabi is what makes your nose runny.

Capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate that enter the mouth can irritate mucous membranes. Initially mucus is produced as needed to protect your respiratory tract from infectious agents, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

However, the irritation of capsaicin and allyl isothiocynate stimulates the production of more mucus. This excess mucus makes your nose run when you eat spicy food.

Then how to solve it?

Don't worry, runny nose because spicy food is different when you have a cold. This condition will improve on its own so there is no need for medicine. You only need to relieve the spicy taste faster, one of which is by drinking milk.

Milk is different from plain water. Milk contains casein protein which can erase the effects of capsaicin or allyl isothiocyanate in your mouth. While water does not make the hot sensation disappear quickly. Instead of getting rid of the spicy taste, you end up bloating.

Apart from spicy food, can a runny nose be caused by other foods?

Normally, the nose will run when you eat spicy food. However, if the food you are eating is not spicy food and your nose is still runny, you need to suspect it. It is likely that the condition is caused by a medical problem, such as:

Various kinds of rhinitis, such as gustatory rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, or vasomotor rhinitis. This condition causes a runny nose and itching when eating certain foods.
Certain food allergies usually cause runny nose, sneezing, itchy skin, and other unpleasant reactions after enjoying certain foods.