Reaction

• Chili peppers, used in spicy foods, contain capsaicin. Other spicy foods, such as horseradish and wasabi, contain allyl isothiocyanate. Both capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate stimulate a reaction in your nervous system, causing your nose to run.

Cause

• Your nose runs when eating spicy foods because both capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate irritate the mucous membranes in your nose, thus producing mucus in your nasal passages. This is a defense mechanism your body has to keep out unwanted particles, such as dust. Thus, the more irritated your mucous membranes become, the more your nose will continue to run.

Remedies

• Do not turn to beer or water to relieve the effects of capsaicin or allyl isothiocyanate. Instead, reach for a glass of milk. Milk contains casein, a protein that grabs the capsaicin molecules and washes them away. An alternative would be adding a 10 percent solution of sugar to a glass of water as sucrose can also lessen the effects of capsaicin.