Is It Safe to Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?

You might crave hot peppers or buffalo wings during pregnancy—but can you eat spicy food while expecting? We spoke with experts to learn about the safety considerations, possible side effects, and more.

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG

Anyone who has experienced pregnancy cravings knows they don’t always make sense, but getting your hands on the foods you desire is an absolute must. If you've been yearning for spicy foods—whether it's hot chili or buffalo wings—you might worry if the heat will impact your developing baby.

Thankfully, experts say it's generally safe to eat spicy foods while pregnant. “There's no evidence to suggest that moderate consumption of spicy foods poses a significant risk to the developing fetus," says Shandra Scruggs, RN, a labor and delivery nurse, doula, and founder of Simply Birthed. "However, it's important to note that every pregnancy is unique, and individual sensitivities may vary."

Keep reading to learn more about the safety of consuming spicy food while pregnant, potential benefits, side effects, and what it means if you're craving some heat.

Safety of Spicy Food While Pregnant

You might have heard that spicy food isn't safe for pregnancy, but this is a myth. Spicy foods won't impact your developing baby—though they can trigger some unpleasant side effects in the pregnant person, such as heartburn or indigestion.

These side effects generally aren't dangerous, but even so, it's best to eat spicy food in moderation (too much of anything isn't a good thing). Also, if you couldn't tolerate spice well before pregnancy, you might want to introduce it slowly.

Related: Is It Safe to Take TUMS While Pregnant?

What Does It Mean If I'm Craving Spicy Food?

You’re craving a little spice, but it’s never been your favorite before—what gives? “We're not completely sure why cravings happen, but it's likely because of pregnancy hormones, nutritional needs, and how a person feels mentally," explains Scruggs.

Research shows that 50 to 90% of pregnant people experience cravings at some point. Yearning for spicy food in particular isn't linked to specific health concerns, so you don't have to worry if you're constantly reaching for the zesty potato chips or red-hot peppers!

Benefits of Eating Spicy Food While Pregnant

Incorporating some spice into your pregnancy diet has been linked to positive outcomes for both parent and baby, including the following.

• Introduction of new flavors to your baby. Evidence has shown that amniotic fluid is flavored by foods eaten during pregnancy, and babies are more likely to accept flavors similar to the ones they encountered in the womb. This means trying out spicy foods while expecting might encourage your little one to do the same later in life.

• Boosted immune health. Another benefit of eating spicy foods is strengthening your immune system. For example, capsaicin (which brings hotness to peppers) has anti-inflammatory properties. Spicy foods might also lower "bad" cholesterol, according to research, and this could theoretically lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Side Effects of Eating Spicy Food

We know eating spicy food when you’re pregnant is safe, but indulging in these cravings can cause a few unpleasant side effects while expecting. Here are some of the most common ones.

• Heartburn and acid reflux. During pregnancy, your organs shift to make room for your growing uterus, and hormonal changes relax the valve separating the stomach and esophagus. The result? An increased risk of heartburn, which might be exaggerated by spicy foods.

• Abdominal discomfort. Another change that comes with pregnancy is your digestion slowing down, which might lead to abdominal discomfort when eating certain things, like spicy food. In addition to indigestion, spicy food might also trigger diarrhea and gas.

• Even more uncomfortable morning sickness. Eating spicy foods can make pregnancy nausea even worse. Vomiting isn’t pleasant to begin with, but when it’s spicy food, it’s even less so. 
  

If spice was part of your diet before pregnancy, continuing to eat it shouldn’t exacerbate these effects as much—still, listening to your body is essential. “If you notice any discomfort, it may be wise to reduce your intake or avoid them altogether,” says Scruggs.

Related: 5 Foods That Cause Heartburn During Pregnancy—And 5 That Don't

Can Spicy Food Induce Labor?

Some people claim that chowing down on spicy stuff can induce labor—but is this actually true? Not really, according to Aneesh Chawla, MD, MS, an OB-GYN at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. “Consuming spicy foods, especially in larger quantities, may result in gastrointestinal irritation that results in abdominal cramping similar to contractions," she says. But these contractions can't actually cause labor.

And while there's anecdotal evidence that seems to support spicy food for labor, there's nothing definite to back this up. “Anecdotal reports of spicy foods that can help to induce labor are just that," adds Dr. Chawla. "There is no direct evidence that eating spicy foods results in inducing labor."

Still, one study of 201 pregnant people showed that around 50% tried to induce labor themselves—and 11% did so by eating spicy food. No matter how ready you are to hasten your little one’s arrival into your arms, it's crucial to talk with your health care provider before attempting any non-prescribed methods.

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