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A 34-year-old man has suffered from a rare health condition after consuming a Carolina Reaper pepper in a chili-eating contest.
Days after the contest, the man developed “thunderclap” headaches, which are characterized by strong and sudden headaches. The man then went to the hospital for treatment and learned that the headaches were manifestations of a condition called reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome [rɪˈvɜr sə bəl səˈri brəl ˌvæs oʊ kənˈstrɪk ʃən ˈsɪn droʊm] (RCVS). This condition occurs when blood vessels constrict.
All peppers, including the Carolina Reaper pepper, contain capsaicin / kæpˈseɪ ə sɪn /. It is a substance that gives pepper its hot flavor and is sometimes used in medical ointments. Taking this substance in large quantities has been linked to blood vessel constriction, which can result in a heart attack. However, the 34-year-old man’s case is the first to illustrate that blood vessel constriction can also happen in the brain upon consuming capsaicin.
According to experts, RCVS can be treated through medical observation and removal of the capsaicin from the body.
Upon learning about the man’s case, a farmer who grows and sells Carolina Reaper pepper for a living argued that people should not be afraid of eating this type of pepper. He stated that this pepper is safe for consumption as long as it is not eaten raw. The farmer recommends cooking it first and adding it to dishes like curry.