What gives the red pepper its kick? According to Ts'ai P'ing-li, horticulturist at National Taiwan University, the seeds of the spice excite the tongue's taste buds and the mucous membrane of the mouth. Once in the stomach, they speed up the blood circulation and stimulate the stomach walls.
台大園藝系教授蔡平里表示，辣椒含有「辣椒精」，入口後會刺激舌頭味蕾和口腔黏膜，引起「辣」感；到達胃部時，能促進血液循環和胃部蠕動。