Which food has a constituent that has been proven to block the flow of Substance P?

• A. Chili Pepper
• B. Broccoli
• C. Turmeric
• D. Red Meat

Answer: (A)

Chili pepper contains capsaicin, the active constituent responsible for its spicy heat. Substance P is a neuropeptide that helps transmit pain signals from nerve endings to the spinal cord and plays a role in inflammation. Capsaicin binds to TRPV1 receptors on pain-sensing nerves, causing an initial burst of activity followed by a depletion of Substance P from those nerve endings with repeated exposure. This depletion means the nerves release less Substance P in response to stimuli, effectively dampening pain signaling over time. That explains why capsaicin-containing chili preparations are used for analgesia. The other foods don’t have a constituent with a proven ability to block Substance P release in the same way, so chili pepper is the best answer.