Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Spicy instant noodles may offer a temporary sense of stress relief, but the fiery kick that makes it appealing can also trigger heartburn, abdominal pain and other digestive discomfort, particularly for people with sensitive stomachs. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the burning sensation in chili peppers, stimulates pain receptors and can prompt the release of endorphins, chemicals involved in the body's response to pain. While this reaction may help explain why some people feel better after eating spicy food, the sensation of relief does not necessarily mean the food is beneficial to their health. The potential health effects have drawn renewed attention following a Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) report examining 12 popular instant noodle products sold in Korea. Why spicy food can upset your stomach Capsaicin activates receptors that detect heat and pain, producing the burning sensation associated with spicy food. The body responds to this stimulation through a series of physiological reactions, including sweating and changes in pain perc