The Body's Reaction to Spicy Foods

7th GradeHealth40 min

Learning Objective

I can describe how spicy foods affect the body.

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

7 min

Guided Notes

8 min

Key concepts students will learn:

  • The compound capsaicin, found in chili peppers, is responsible for the burning sensation we experience when eating spicy food.

  • The Scoville scale, created by Wilbur Scoville, measures a pepper's hotness in units ranging from 0 to 16 million.

  • Casein, a non-polar molecule found in milk and dairy products, can help extinguish the burn of capsaicin by dissolving and washing it away because 'like dissolves like'.

Practice

12 min

7 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

Describe two ways that spicy foods, specifically capsaicin, can affect your body.

Teacher Guide

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  • Answer keys for all questions
  • Differentiation strategies
  • Extension activities
  • Printable student handouts
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