In the latest episodes of a podcast, ‘Talk of the Townsends” Anne Hathaway talks about why her doctor advised her not to appear on the Hot Ones challenge. The actress said that the doctor was concerned that eating such spicy chicken wings could put her into early labor.
For the unversed, Hot Ones is an American YouTube talk show created by Sean Evans where celebrities sit for an interview with Sean and eat spicy sauce-coated chicken wings for each question, which gets spicier each passing round.
Anne Hathaway is on a tour promoting her film Verity, in which Dakota Johnson will also appear. Anne shared that she has been actively looking forward to taking the real Hot Ones challenge, as the same show made a cameo in her movie Verity. Many pregnant women may take up Anne’s experience as their own guidebook for pregnancy, especially about eating spicy food. Here’s what the science says about pregnancy and diet during that time.
There is no strong evidence that eating a hot curry, chilli, or other spicy food can trigger early labor.
Pregnancy can make digestion a little more difficult. Heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion are common, and spicy foods can make these symptoms worse for some women; during that time, consuming spicy food can cause stomach discomfort or diarrhea. 1
“The NHS Says There Are No Proven Ways to Induce Labor Yourself at Home.” There are several medical articles online that show a list of foods and drinks that can help for preterm labor, but there is no strong scientific evidence to support those claims. So a woman eating spicy food during normal pregnancy does not need to assume that she is going to go into labour because of it. Hathaway’s situation was also specific to her pregnancy and the advice given by her doctor. There is another distinction between eating mildly spicy food and extremely spicy wings in one sitting.
There is no scientific statement or research that says that women should give up eating spicy food during pregnancy. If a woman enjoys eating spicy and savory food and there are no consequences for her health, then she should not quit eating that because of pregnancy. The issue is more about tolerance, symptoms, and any specific advice from her healthcare provider.
A woman’s body goes through several physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy, and heartburn is one of the more common problems. If spicy food repeatedly causes burning, reflux, or indigestion, cutting back on it may make the pregnancy more comfortable.
Hydration is crucial to maintain, especially during pregnancy. Vomiting or diarrhea after eating extremely spicy food can cause fluid loss, which is why few women may be advised to quit spicy food during that time. Women should refrain from taking online advice where several articles suggest foods, drinks, and a few home remedies that they claim can start labor. Trying to induce labor without medical guidance is not the same as managing normal pregnancy discomfort. 2
And pregnancy advice should not be generalized for all women. Someone with a history of preterm labor or another pregnancy complication may receive very different advice from her obstetrician.
There are several complications or discomforts that a woman may experience while she is pregnant, but those symptoms should not be blamed for preterm labor. Contractions and regular tightening of the lower abdominal muscles should be signs to look out for, particularly when they occur before 37 weeks.
Pelvic pain, abdominal cramps, and backache are the signs that need medical attention.
A woman should also notice if there is a change in vaginal discharge, bleeding, or fluid leaking. If symptoms like these occur and if they persist, the safest step is to contact the obstetrician or maternity team.
For most pregnant women, the question is not whether chilli or spicy food should be consumed or not; the concern is whether that food is causing any complications or symptoms, or if there is any personal medical history of an individual. Hathaway’s doctor’s advice was based on her pregnancy, while spicy food itself has not been established as a reliable way of triggering labor.
References:
1. Kappes, Wyndi. “Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?” The Bump, July 25, 2024.
https://www.thebump.com/a/spicy-food-while-pregnant
2. UPMC Editorial Staff. “Healthy Pregnancy Guide.” UPMC. Last reviewed September 5, 2024.
https://www.upmc.com/services/womens-health/services/obgyn/obstetrics/pregnancy/journey
3. NHS. “Signs That Labour Has Begun.” NHS. Last reviewed November 9, 2023
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/signs-that-labour-has-begun/
(Rh/AM)
