Do You Have Spicy Food/Capsaicin Tolerence Genes? Check Here!

[Turul Karom]

https://i.imgur.com/CvaA3fn.jpg

It's no secret that Hungarians and many other ethnic groups love spicy food and chili peppers. However, even among connoisseurs there are those who stand out at being more inclined to embrace the hotter end of the capsaicin spectrum. Science has pointed out different genes that are associated with lactose tolerance, and science has now also pointed out genes that are associated with capsaicin tolerance. Do you have the combination that helps you eat fire?

The gene rs7526880 is associated with capsaicin tolerance as told in the following:

https://www.snpedia.com/index.php?title=+Special%3ASearch&search=capsaicin&go=Go

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19081190/?dopt=Abstract

GTP cyclohydrolase and tetrahydrobiopterin regulate pain sensitivity and persistence. T allele associated with higher tolerance to pain.[PMID 17057711]

Polymorphisms in the GTP cyclohydrolase gene (GCH1) are associated with ratings of capsaicin pain. T allele associated with higher tolerance to pain.[PMID 19081190OA-icon.png]

What is your combination of genes? Post the results below!

My results:

TT; looks like I have a predisposition for capsaicin tolerance. I'd love to see what others have, especially fellow Hungarians!

https://i.imgur.com/fHXu46W.png

[Annihilus]

TT here

[Chris596]

This looks like a good thread and has potential ;) By the way I didn't know about this snpedia website before, looks cool.

I have this: rs7526880 CC (it means I can't tolerate spice?)

[Luke35]

Sadly, my 23andMe raw data does not contain that marker. Not sure if I just don't have it, or if they don't test for that one.

[Turul Karom]

TT here

Innate spice tolerance! Do you eat hot foods?


This looks like a good thread and has potential ;) By the way I didn't know about this snpedia website before, looks cool.

I have this: rs7526880 CC (it means I can't tolerate spice?)

I just found it while looking for genes that impact capsaicin levels. Never saw it before today. It's just a sign of innate resistance. I think you could just as easily be acclimated to eating hot things. Check the other links for capsaicin metabolism too.

Maybe you have the ability to quickly digest it when it is inside your stomach!


Sadly, my 23andMe raw data does not contain that marker. Not sure if I just don't have it, or if they don't test for that one.

I used my ftdna results.

[Turul Karom]

This looks like a good thread and has potential ;) By the way I didn't know about this snpedia website before, looks cool.

I have this: rs7526880 CC (it means I can't tolerate spice?)

Look at this one, Rs8065080, even though the researchers say that there isn't a link to capsaicin specifically, there is a difference in T and C where C is more common in East Asians and makes you more tolerant to feelings of heat and pin pricks:

https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs8065080

I am CT.

[Chris596]

Look at this one, Rs8065080, even though the researchers say that there isn't a link to capsaicin specifically, there is a difference in T and C where C is more common in East Asians and makes you more tolerant to feelings of heat and pin pricks:

https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs8065080

I am CT.

Nice, I'm also CT at this one :)

Btw, this doesn't belong so much here, but I found the allele which is responsible for alcohol tolerance/flush (rs671) It says if you're AA you flush (also common in East Asians), if you're GG then you don't flush (most common in Europeans I think). I'm AG and how shameful it may sound, sometimes I can't handle stronger types of alcohol. But it doesn't say anything about AG variants.

https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs671(A;A)
https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs671(G;G)

Edit: Ohh wait, no it also says some things about it, it's also an East Asian trait (so I guess I'm f@cked xd)

[Turul Karom]

Nice, I'm also CT at this one :)

Btw, this doesn't belong so much here, but I found the allele which is responsible for alcohol tolerance/flush (rs671) It says if you're AA you flush (also common in East Asians), if you're GG then you don't flush (most common in Europeans I think). I'm AG and how shameful it may sound, sometimes I can't handle stronger types of alcohol. But it doesn't say anything about AG variants.

https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs671(A;A)
https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs671(G;G)

Edit: Ohh wait, no it also says some things about it, it's also an East Asian trait (so I guess I'm f@cked xd)

What source of your DNA are you using? FTDNA?

Also it totally belongs here. I like hearing all about it.

Don't worry about the alcohol thing; I don't drink at all.

[Chris596]

What source of your DNA are you using? FTDNA?

Also it totally belongs here. I like hearing all about it.

Don't worry about the alcohol thing; I don't drink at all.

Yes, I think you're right. I drink with friends occasionally and it was always so weird that sometimes I just couldn't handle it (now I know why). I don't have FTDNA, I always use my Myheritage data.

[Joso]

Probably not

[Turul Karom]

Yes, I think you're right. I drink with friends occasionally and it was always so weird that sometimes I just couldn't handle it (now I know why). I don't have FTDNA, I always use my Myheritage data.

I don't like the drinking culture or the associations. Plus, you just can't take anyone seriously when they start to drink. Something good happens? The honesty and genuine nature is marred by alcohol. Something bad happens? They avoid responsibility by saying they were drunk and how that's not "really them".

Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to find rs671.

[Luke35]

Nice, I'm also CT at this one :)

Btw, this doesn't belong so much here, but I found the allele which is responsible for alcohol tolerance/flush (rs671) It says if you're AA you flush (also common in East Asians), if you're GG then you don't flush (most common in Europeans I think). I'm AG and how shameful it may sound, sometimes I can't handle stronger types of alcohol. But it doesn't say anything about AG variants.

https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs671(A;A)
https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs671(G;G)

Edit: Ohh wait, no it also says some things about it, it's also an East Asian trait (so I guess I'm f@cked xd)

Okay, that marker is in my 23andMe - I'm GG :cheers:

[Chris596]

I don't like the drinking culture or the associations. Plus, you just can't take anyone seriously when they start to drink. Something good happens? The honesty and genuine nature is marred by alcohol. Something bad happens? They avoid responsibility by saying they were drunk and how that's not "really them".

Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to find rs671.

Yeah right? I absolutely agree with you! I don't like (and unable) to drink heavily anyway. And omg it was always so weird and I couldn't explain why I was flushing in front of my friends and everyone was laughing and I felt like an idiot. And when I drank too much the hangover is like a madness to me. I even remember that when I registered to this forum I put that in the description that I can't handle alcohol very well (at the time I didn't know that this is an inherited East Asian trait), honestly I never knew that by genetics I'm this ,,asian''. I can also do the ,,Asian squat'' for some reason and most of my friends can't do it lol (only one person who I know).

[Chris596]

Okay, that marker is in my 23andMe - I'm GG :cheers:

I'm jelly :redface_002:

[Benyzero]

I'm jelly :redface_002:

Really you have that variant? that is exceptionally rare in europeans, like less than 1% in the statisctics I saw but I guess those were mostly nw europeans.

[Turul Karom]

Yeah right? I absolutely agree with you! I don't like (and unable) to drink heavily anyway. And omg it was always so weird and I couldn't explain why I was flushing in front of my friends and everyone was laughing and I felt like an idiot. And when I drank too much the hangover is like a madness to me. I even remember that when I registered to this forum I put that in the description that I can't handle alcohol very well (at the time I didn't know that this is an inherited East Asian trait), honestly I never knew that by genetics I'm this ,,asian''. I can also do the ,,Asian squat'' for some reason and most of my friends can't do it lol (only one person who I know).

I totally agree. Don't bother with it anyway; friends who need to drink with friends to have fun probably either aren't good friends or they aren't really having fun with the original activity. When my friends go out they always invite me despite how I never drink because they always say I'm very fun to be around. Without even trying I have swayed them by fun and behavior alone to drink less; they don't like the feeling very much and it is too expensive to put your brain through a literal poisoning session.

I don't "buzzkill" and preach to friends to not drink either.

Alcohol hurts you because it crosses the blood-brain barrier and literally is scrubbing your mind. That's why alcoholics have brains that look like Swiss cheese. The "good" feeling from alcohol is the brain attempting to release endorphins in response to the literal killing poison that's rushing through it. Alcohol also increases estrogen levels, which is ironic when people love to bash soy products but then drink liters of beer.

[Chris596]

Really you have that variant? that is exceptionally rare in europeans, like less than 1% in the statisctics I saw but I guess those were mostly nw europeans.

Yeah seriously.. Dem asian genes hit me real hard. Maybe this is why it also influenced my looks even more. Who knows..

[Benyzero]

del

[Benyzero]

Yeah seriously.. Dem asian genes hit me real hard. Maybe this is why it also influenced my looks even more. Who knows..

Damn son, lets cook a ramen

[Luke35]

I don't like the drinking culture or the associations. Plus, you just can't take anyone seriously when they start to drink. Something good happens? The honesty and genuine nature is marred by alcohol. Something bad happens? They avoid responsibility by saying they were drunk and how that's not "really them".

Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to find rs671.

I don't drink much, just a beer or two at a party. Sometimes a glass of wine, or as a special treat, my favorite, a White Russian. But to illustrate your above point, from my own personal experience..

A short story:

When I finished my student teaching assignment, my cooperating teacher took me out for drinks along with some of the other teachers, as celebration. I was doing shots of whiskey and after too many of them I looked him right in the eyes and said, "I love you man!". And he looked me right in the eyes and said, "You're drunk!". :)

[Turul Karom]

Really you have that variant? that is exceptionally rare in europeans, like less than 1% in the statisctics I saw but I guess those were mostly nw europeans.

Where did you find those stats? Are there any specifically East Asian allele combinations we can look for that excludes Central or Western Eurasia? I'd love to give them a try.

[Benyzero]

It is only 20% in asians aswell

[Benyzero]

Where did you find those stats? Are there any specifically East Asian allele combinations we can look for that excludes Central or Western Eurasia? I'd love to give them a try.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/snp/rs671


You click on the Frequency texted button under the variant details option. I don't really know about east asian specific alleles, but I do browsing genetics related to health conditions etc daily nowadays.

[Benyzero]

There are some good exercise, body function related ones too. You can browse selfdecode for further explanation of the snp and the variants, that site has pretty good database, but they removed the instant search for non buyers, if you have the patience to look up one by one it is still available on google search. SNPedia is good aswell.

[Benyzero]

Iam considering to buy their dna kit, since 23andme raw data is incomplete, although it contains plenty of interesting snps

[Turul Karom]

I don't drink much, just a beer or two at a party. Sometimes a glass of wine, or as a special treat, my favorite, a White Russian. But to illustrate your above point, from my own personal experience..

A short story:

When I finished my student teaching assignment, my cooperating teacher took me out for drinks along with some of the other teachers, as celebration. I was doing shots of whiskey and after too many of them I looked him right in the eyes and said, "I love you man!". And he looked me right in the eyes and said, "You're drunk!". :)

Haha, good story and exactly the point. At least that's not as bad of a tale as most drinkers; I've seen people self-medicate with cheap liquor and pálinka for pain and other related depressing things in life and it just wrecks them long-term, even if they aren't your conventional "alcoholic".

[Turul Karom]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/snp/rs671


You click on the Frequency texted button under the variant details option. I don't really know about east asian specific alleles, but I do browsing genetics related to health conditions etc daily nowadays.

Do you know of any more places to easily search capsaicin or capsaicin metabolism? If you could provide some specific alleles to check, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

I got C/C but I actually enjoy spicy food despite not being something that I eat on a daily basis. When my father pays me a visit from Angola he always brings me gindungo, an amazing Angolan pepper from which I do a homemade hot sauce with whisky.

[Damião de Góis]

CT, seems i'm halfway but i can't stand it.

[Turul Karom]

Yeah right? I absolutely agree with you! I don't like (and unable) to drink heavily anyway. And omg it was always so weird and I couldn't explain why I was flushing in front of my friends and everyone was laughing and I felt like an idiot. And when I drank too much the hangover is like a madness to me. I even remember that when I registered to this forum I put that in the description that I can't handle alcohol very well (at the time I didn't know that this is an inherited East Asian trait), honestly I never knew that by genetics I'm this ,,asian''. I can also do the ,,Asian squat'' for some reason and most of my friends can't do it lol (only one person who I know).

Also, what is the "Asian squat"? I perform squats with my feet flat on the floor, if that's what you mean. It is a comfortable position to relax in, too. I do it when I need to get low to put things away, wash things, etc.

[Turul Karom]

I got C/C but I actually enjoy spicy food despite not being something that I eat on a daily basis. When my father pays me a visit from Angola he always brings me gindungo, an amazing Angolan pepper from which I do a homemade hot sauce with whisky.

It depends. You can have a higher threshold because you are used to eating spicy foods when you get your visit from them, but then it lowers slowly. It might also not be painfully hot and your general tolerance for heat and prickly sensations are higher.

[Annihilus]

Innate spice tolerance! Do you eat hot foods?

I can eat it but I am not very fond of it because it hides the taste of my food. I do like things like pickled jalapenos.

[Chris596]

Also, what is the "Asian squat"? I perform squats with my feet flat on the floor, if that's what you mean. It is a comfortable position to relax in, too. I do it when I need to get low to put things away, wash things, etc.

It's a terminology that mostly Americans use (I guess). I never had problems with doing it and I also find it relaxing too. It's basically what you just described here. I think most people can do it by practice.

Illustration

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e5/b8/fc/e5b8fc022239e44cb1408c995d22d732.jpg

But now what we're talking about is very off-topic and I apologize :)

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

It depends. You can have a higher threshold because you are used to eating spicy foods when you get your visit from them, but then it lowers slowly. It might also not be painfully hot and your general tolerance for heat and prickly sensations are higher.

I enjoy spicy food with no problem whatsoever, trust me. I like the sensation. When I was in Eger and Budapest I tried goulash and I did not find it that spicy to be honest but it was very pleasant, I even bought a few tubes of Piros Arany in the great market of Budapest to bring with me. What surprised me the most about Hungary wasn't the food though but the fact that you had fairly decent wine.

[Turul Karom]

I can eat it but I am not very fond of it because it hides the taste of my food. I do like things like pickled jalapenos.

It definitely does overpower the flavors of other foods. That's why spicy food is best with otherwise blander things where the flavor is in the sauce. Ideally the focus is the pepper and the spices added to the pepper mash and not vinegar though. I don't like a lot of vinegar because unlike hot peppers, too much vinegar does not agree with my stomach as it is too acidic.

Pickled hot peppers, like jalapenos, are considered "betyár candy".

[Turul Karom]

It's a terminology that mostly Americans use (I guess). I never had problems with doing it and I also find it relaxing too. It's basically what you just described here. I think most people can do it by practice.

Illustration

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e5/b8/fc/e5b8fc022239e44cb1408c995d22d732.jpg

But now what we're talking about is very off-topic and I apologize :)

Not too off-topic at all; it bumps the thread and I am feeding into the topic as well. I would let you know if something was egregiously off-topic. Plus, it bumps the thread, lol. Feel free to comment arbitrarily about spicy things as well if you feel bad, haha.

I thought that the western meme for it was the "Slav squat".

Let me tell you the real reason why you can do it: you aren't fat and you have good hip flexor muscles. Most western people wear shoes that are too high in the heel and this punishes their hamstrings over time by making them grow shorter. Then, when they squat without a large heel to help extend the knee, they therefore need to go onto the balls of their feet. You have enough flexibility and are not fat so your gut doesn't push against your knees.

I wear "flat shoes" which have very little sole and very little cushioning. They are "eastern", I guess, but look like a regular western shoe.

I, too, have been the recipient of comments about my squat and depth depth (oddly enough in Budapest too) so I know the feeling.


I enjoy spicy food with no problem whatsoever, trust me. I like the sensation. When I was in Eger and Budapest I tried goulash and I did not find it that spicy to be honest but it was very pleasant, I even bought a few tubes of Piros Arany in the great market of Budapest to bring with me. What surprised me the most about Hungary wasn't the food though but the fact that you had fairly decent wine.

Nice; did you see the siege area? We are famous for that stand against the Ottomans there.

Goulash has been bastardized a bit imo thanks to the tourism in Hungary and the Soviet occupation. Foreigners don't like as hot of paprika as Hungarians did in the early 20th century and this has impacted how they are processed for export requests and for local businesses. People now grind "sweet" without the seeds mostly (which reduces heat and pungent smell), but you should have at least been served a side of optional hot paprika to put onto your food. Hot paprika is at most places on many tables as an option for natives and those with a spicier taste.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Nice; did you see the siege area? We are famous for that stand against the Ottomans there.

Goulash has been bastardized a bit imo thanks to the tourism in Hungary and the Soviet occupation. Foreigners don't like as hot of paprika as Hungarians did in the early 20th century and this has impacted how they are processed for export requests and for local businesses. People now grind "sweet" without the seeds mostly (which reduces heat and pungent smell), but you should have at least been served a side of optional hot paprika to put onto your food. Hot paprika is at most places on many tables as an option for natives and those with a spicier taste.

Can you post an image from the siege area? I was there years ago and I do not remember everything. I went to the top of the minaret in Eger and was nearby the old castle. In Buda and Pest I visited the main attractions, roamed mostly through the city, used the oldest metro system, visited the market and the thermal baths.

[Turul Karom]

Can you post an image from the siege area? I was there years ago and I do not remember everything. I went to the top of the minaret in Eger and was nearby the old castle. In Buda and Pest I visited the main attractions, roamed mostly through the city, used the oldest metro system, visited the market and the thermal baths.

Here is a small picture; if you were there, I would hope that you are able to recognize it.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Eger_v%C3%A1ra_-_2013_(102).JPG/220px-Eger_v%C3%A1ra_-_2013_(102).JPG

Edit: here is a statue with some of the defenders and Dobó István (defense leader):

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Hungary_Eger_Dobo_ter.jpg

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Here is a small picture; if you were there, I would hope that you are able to recognize it.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Eger_v%C3%A1ra_-_2013_(102).JPG/220px-Eger_v%C3%A1ra_-_2013_(102).JPG

Edit: here is a statue with some of the defenders and Dobó István (defense leader):

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Hungary_Eger_Dobo_ter.jpg

I think I did not had the chance to go where the flag is (I did not enter the castle). I was near the statue though. Bare in mind that I made this trip ten years ago, it was part of an excursion that I did from bus from Tallinn to Budapest and we made stops in several cities, I can not remember always everything in detail.

[Impaler]

rs8065080 - TT on this one.

[Turul Karom]

I think I did not had the chance to go where the flag is (I did not enter the castle). I was near the statue though. Bare in mind that I made this trip ten years ago, it was part of an excursion that I did from bus from Tallinn to Budapest and we made stops in several cities, I can not remember always everything in detail.

Not a problem. Thanks for remembering us fondly. We need allies with the EU down our throats 24/7 and hating on everything we do. Hopefully when you come back to visit you can experience even more. Next time make sure to ask specifically for "Hungarian hot" (magyar csípős) when you are out to eat.


rs8065080 - TT on this one.

Interesting result; how do you like your spice levels? Favorite dishes and/or peppers?

[Impaler]

Interesting result; how do you like your spice levels? Favorite dishes and/or peppers?

Jalapeño is my favourite pepper.

[Turul Karom]

Jalapeño is my favourite pepper.

Classic that can be eaten for days, made into a sauce, and grows great in gardens.

[Benyzero]

Do you know of any more places to easily search capsaicin or capsaicin metabolism? If you could provide some specific alleles to check, I would greatly appreciate it.

Pun1, CCR, KAS and HCT ...from what I've found out from a quick search, these genes are related to that.

[Lemminkäinen]

TT, I have a Hungarian stomach.

[Lemminkäinen]

Frequencies

Allele Alt Allele
Total Global 138448 T=0.719974 C=0.280026
European Sub 121238 T=0.730316 C=0.269684
African Sub 3346 T=0.3063 C=0.6937
African Others Sub 124 T=0.266 C=0.734
African American Sub 3222 T=0.3079 C=0.6921
Asian Sub 296 T=0.689 C=0.311
East Asian Sub 216 T=0.699 C=0.301
Other Asian Sub 80 T=0.66 C=0.34
Latin American 1 Sub 562 T=0.616 C=0.384
Latin American 2 Sub 5430 T=0.8245 C=0.1755
South Asian Sub 4896 T=0.6699 C=0.3301

[Turul Karom]

Frequencies

Allele Alt Allele
Total Global 138448 T=0.719974 C=0.280026
European Sub 121238 T=0.730316 C=0.269684
African Sub 3346 T=0.3063 C=0.6937
African Others Sub 124 T=0.266 C=0.734
African American Sub 3222 T=0.3079 C=0.6921
Asian Sub 296 T=0.689 C=0.311
East Asian Sub 216 T=0.699 C=0.301
Other Asian Sub 80 T=0.66 C=0.34
Latin American 1 Sub 562 T=0.616 C=0.384
Latin American 2 Sub 5430 T=0.8245 C=0.1755
South Asian Sub 4896 T=0.6699 C=0.3301

Makes sense considering most of the world considers at least some degree of spiciness in their food to be a desirable trait.