Some Like It Hot

Overview

Objectives/Goals My goal in this project is to find out if hot chili peppers will raise a human being's temperature. Methods/Materials Materials: 20 volunteer subjects, Data sheets, Rubber gloves, Oral thermometer, Probe covers for thermometer, One quarter cup measuring cup, Habanero peppers, Serrano peppers, Jalapenos peppers, Roma and garden tomatoes, Onions, Cilantro, Tortilla chips, Containers to put salsa in. Procedure: The first thing I did for my science fair project was selected three varieties of chili peppers. I asked 20 volunteer subjects to eat three salsas, a different pepper in it each salsa. I took their temperature before and after they ate the salsa. I recorded the data and analyzed it. Results In every salsa test I did everybody's temperature changed whether it was higher or lower. Subjects who ate the peppers with the higher (SHU), had their temperature raise. Subjects who ate the peppers with the lower (SHU), their temperature dropped at least by a point. The body temperature stayed consistently higher or lower even after rechecking 5 minutes later. Conclusions/Discussion My hypothesis was partly right, your temperature does rise when you eat a chili pepper that is high in capsaicinoids. Your temperature goes down if you have a cooler salsa. The capsaicin seems to affect body temperature. Scientists are experimenting with the anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant uses for capsaicin, so I conclude that it must thin the blood in certain concentrations.

Competition history

• CSEF 2003 Pharmacology/ Toxicology · Entry J1401

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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