Hot pepper challenge facts for kids
The hot pepper challenge is a popular online trend where people film themselves eating a very spicy chili pepper. These videos are then shared on the internet. It's also known as the ghost pepper challenge or chili pepper challenge. The goal is to eat a pepper that is super high on the Scoville scale, which measures how hot a pepper is. Some of the peppers used include the cayenne pepper, Thai pepper, habanero, ghost pepper, and the Trinidad Moruga scorpion pepper. This challenge has even been shown on TV shows like Man v. Food.
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What is the Hot Pepper Challenge?
When someone takes on the hot pepper challenge, they usually start by introducing themselves and the pepper they are about to eat. They might talk about how hot the pepper is. Many challengers prepare by having a lot of milk nearby. Milk helps to cool down the intense burning feeling in the mouth and throat.
How the Challenge Works
After the introduction, the person eats the pepper or a food item that contains it. Soon after, they start to feel an extreme burning sensation. They might also sweat a lot. This strong reaction is caused by something special in peppers called capsaicin. Capsaicin is the chemical that makes peppers taste spicy. Sometimes, people might even feel sick or have trouble seeing clearly because of how hot the pepper is.
Why Do Peppers Feel Hot?
Chili peppers contain chemicals called capsaicin and capsaicinoids. These chemicals trick your body into thinking it's touching something hot. When capsaicin touches your tongue, it sends a signal to your brain that says "BURN!" This is why you feel that fiery sensation. Different peppers have different amounts of capsaicin, which is why some are much hotter than others. The Scoville scale was created to measure just how much capsaicin is in a pepper.
Is the Hot Pepper Challenge Safe?
While eating hot peppers can be fun for some, it's important to know that it can sometimes lead to problems. There have been a few reported cases where people had health scares after trying the challenge.
- In September 2016, some students in West Milton, Ohio, aged 11 to 14, ate ghost peppers. About 40 students tried it, and five of them had to go to the hospital. They experienced what seemed like allergic reactions.
- Another time, a 47-year-old man in California ate a hamburger with ghost pepper puree. He ended up in the emergency department. Doctors found that he had serious stomach problems from throwing up too much.
Even the hottest peppers are not usually poisonous in small amounts. Scientists believe that an adult would need to eat about 3 pounds (1.36 kg) of the hottest peppers, like the ghost pepper, for it to be deadly. However, the extreme pain and panic caused by very hot peppers can sometimes lead to serious issues, especially for people with certain health conditions like asthma. Allergic reactions are also possible.
It's always best to be careful and know your limits if you ever decide to try something like this.
