Introduction
For those who love spices, the sting of red chilli is not just a feeling—it’s an urge. But aside from the excitement of heat, there is now some evidence that spicy food may be helping people regain their sense of taste after Covid-19. Since the pandemic, countless people have experienced long-term taste and smell problems, leaving meals tasting dull and unpalatable. Is your red chilli obsession the secret to restoring lost flavours?
The Science of Covid and Taste Loss
Millions have been left with ongoing anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) from Covid-19. The virus also damages the olfactory nerves that are responsible for sensing flavors. While some quickly recover within a few weeks, others suffer longer distortions of taste—sensing food tastes metallic, dulled, or unpleasant.
Convention treatments for restoring taste emphasize olfactory training, by which patients constantly smell pungent odors such as coffee or citrus. However, a few researchers suppose that spicy dishes such as red chilli may have a role to play in rehabilitation of taste too.
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How Red Chilli Can Assist in Restoring Taste
- Stimulating Nerve Routes
Unlike other flavors that rely solely on taste buds, red chilli triggers the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for detecting pain, temperature, and irritation. This means even if your taste receptors are weak, the sensation of heat from capsaicin (the active compound in chilli) can stimulate oral and nasal pathways—potentially “waking up” your taste system.
- Boosting Saliva Production
One of the most frequent complaints from post-Covid patients is a dry mouth, which dampens taste perception. Red chilli stimulates salivary production, moistens the mouth, and ensures that flavors linger on the tongue.
- Increasing Blood Flow
Capsaicin enhances blood flow, which has the potential to repair and regenerate nerves. This could be particularly helpful for people whose taste loss is the result of nerve damage.
- Enhancing Flavor Perception
Because red chilli leaves a powerful, unconfusable feeling, regularly eating spicy foods could reprogram the brain to again be able to perceive flavors. A number of people who have recovered from Covid report that their first “proper” taste sensations returned after eating something spicy.
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How to Use Red Chilli for Taste Recovery
- Slowly start – If your taste is flat, start with mild red chilli-spiced foods like bell peppers, paprika, or light hot sauces.
- Vary the types of spices – Mustard, ginger, and wasabi activate the same nerve channels.
- Pair with aromatic foods – Garlic, lemon, and herbs may enhance overall taste perception.
- Be patient – Taste change recovery varies for all, but frequent exposure can be helpful.
About us
Exim Internationals is a premier export company dedicated to delivering the finest products from India to international markets. Our mission is to establish India as a global export powerhouse, contributing to economic growth and showcasing the richness of Indian goods worldwide.
From the pashmina shawls and apples of the North to the spices of the South, the fruits and powders of the West, and the tea and bamboo of the East, we connect every corner of India with the global market.
Certification we have: FSSAI, APEDA, IEC, UDYAM, FIEO, Spices Board, Coconut
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