Does Spicy Food Affect Fever? What You Need to Know

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Traditional remedies often use spicy foods as a treatment for illness, believing it can 'sweat out' a fever. The impact of spicy food on a fever, however, is more complex, potentially offering relief while worsening other symptoms.

Quick Summary

This article explains how capsaicin, the active compound in spicy food, influences the body's temperature and digestion during an illness. It examines the potential advantages and disadvantages of consuming spicy meals with a fever, and offers practical dietary advice for recovery.

Key Points

Spicy food doesn't cure fever: The heat sensation from capsaicin is a temporary reaction and does not treat the underlying infection causing a fever.
Heavy spice can worsen symptoms: During a fever, spicy food can cause digestive issues like heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea, intensifying your discomfort.
Stay hydrated and eat bland food: The best dietary approach during a fever is to consume plenty of fluids and easy-to-digest, nutritious foods to support your body's recovery.
Different for colds vs. fevers: While mild spices might temporarily clear sinuses during a cold, they are generally not recommended when you have a fever due to the added digestive strain.
Listen to your body: The tolerance for spicy food decreases when you are sick; it's best to avoid anything that may cause additional distress.
Focus on restorative nutrition: Foods like broth-based soups, fresh fruits, and cooked vegetables provide essential vitamins and hydration without taxing your immune system.

Understanding the Link Between Capsaicin and Body Temperature

The primary component responsible for the heat in chili peppers is capsaicin. When ingested, capsaicin triggers heat-sensing receptors in your mouth, which sends a signal to your brain that your body is overheating. In response, your body initiates cooling mechanisms, including sweating and increased blood flow to the skin, which can cause a flushed face. This reaction creates the sensation of being warmed up or, conversely, of feeling a cooling effect through perspiration, and it has led to the myth that spicy food can cure a cold or fever.

The Science of Spicy Food on Fever

While this capsaicin-induced sweating may feel like it's helping, it's not actually tackling the root cause of the fever, which is the body's natural immune response to an infection. A fever raises your core body temperature to create an inhospitable environment for pathogens. The temporary temperature fluctuation caused by spicy food is not the same as a medically-regulated fever and does not actively fight the infection. Instead, consuming spicy food can put additional stress on a body already working hard to recover.

Potential Risks and Digestive Issues

During a fever, the body's resources are diverted to fighting the infection, making digestion less efficient. This is why doctors often recommend bland, easily digestible foods. Spicy foods can exacerbate digestive distress, leading to several negative side effects:

Irritation of the digestive tract: Capsaicin is an irritant that can trigger discomfort and a burning sensation throughout the digestive system, from the esophagus to the stomach lining.
Increased nausea and heartburn: When you are already feeling unwell with a fever, spicy food can heighten feelings of nausea and lead to painful heartburn.
Potential for diarrhea: In larger quantities, spicy food can speed up the intestinal system, which may cause diarrhea. This further increases the risk of dehydration, which is a major concern with any fever.

Spicy vs. Bland: A Comparison During Fever


Feature	Spicy Food during Fever	Bland Food during Fever
Digestive Impact	Can cause heartburn, nausea, and stomach irritation.	Gentle on the stomach and easy to digest.
Hydration Status	Increased sweating can worsen dehydration.	Often prepared with broth or high-water content, aiding hydration.
Nutrient Absorption	May not be absorbed efficiently due to digestive stress.	Provides essential calories and nutrients without taxing the system.
Immune System	Does not actively cure the infection; may add stress.	Allows the body to focus energy on fighting the infection.
Symptom Relief	May provide temporary relief for sinus congestion.	Offers soothing properties for sore throats and general malaise.

When Might Mild Spices Be Beneficial? (For Colds, Not Fever)

It's important to distinguish between a cold and a fever. While heavy spices are ill-advised during a fever, some mild spices might offer limited symptomatic relief for a common cold:

Clear Sinus Congestion: The capsaicin in chili peppers can act as a decongestant by thinning mucus, which can help clear nasal passages.
Soothing a Sore Throat: The heat from ginger or a mild chili can have a temporary soothing or pain-relieving effect on a sore throat.
Boost Immunity (in general): Ingredients like cayenne pepper contain vitamin C, which is essential for immune function. However, this is for general immune health, not a cure for an active fever.

Safe and Helpful Foods for Fever

When your body is battling an infection and running a fever, the focus should be on nourishment that supports rather than stresses your system. Here are some options:

Broth-based Soups: Chicken or vegetable broth helps with hydration and provides easy-to-digest nutrients and electrolytes.
Fresh Fruits: Water-rich fruits like watermelon, oranges, and cantaloupe help with hydration and provide vital vitamins.
Cooked Vegetables: Steamed carrots, spinach, or squash are packed with vitamins and minerals and are gentle on the digestive system.
Oatmeal and Bananas: These bland foods provide energy and are easy to digest, which is crucial when your appetite is low.
Ginger Tea: Ginger has anti-inflammatory and soothing qualities that can help with nausea.
Coconut Water: Excellent for rehydrating and replenishing lost electrolytes from sweating.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Spicy Food and Fever

The notion that eating spicy food can "sweat out" a fever is a myth that conflates the body's natural cooling response to capsaicin with a therapeutic effect. For most people, consuming heavily spiced dishes during a fever is not recommended. It can lead to digestive irritation, exacerbate dehydration through excessive sweating, and place unnecessary stress on an already compromised system. While some mild spices may offer temporary relief for cold-related congestion, the potential for gastrointestinal discomfort during a fever outweighs any perceived benefit. When you are feverish, the best approach is to support your body with hydrating fluids, easy-to-digest foods, and plenty of rest to allow your immune system to do its job effectively. Healthline offers further guidance on optimal nutrition when you are sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a cold without a fever, mild spicy foods may help with temporary sinus congestion by thinning mucus. However, if it causes stomach upset, it's best to avoid it.

Sweating from spicy food is a short-term cooling mechanism triggered by capsaicin, not a therapeutic process. It does not effectively lower or resolve a fever and can cause dehydration.

When your body is fighting a fever, your digestive system is less efficient. The capsaicin in spicy food can irritate the sensitive stomach lining and esophagus, leading to pain, nausea, and heartburn.

Opt for bland, easy-to-digest foods that support your immune system. Good options include chicken soup, broths, oatmeal, bananas, and cooked vegetables.

Spicy food doesn't necessarily worsen the fever itself, but it can make you feel sicker and weaker overall by causing digestive distress and adding unnecessary strain to your body.

Your digestive system can still be sensitive after a fever. It's best to stick to bland foods for a day or two and slowly reintroduce spices to avoid any potential irritation.

Capsaicin has some antiviral and antibacterial properties, but they are not potent enough to cure or eliminate a viral infection like a cold or flu. Relying on it for a cure is misguided.