Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pungency
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Pungency is a sharp and biting sensory impression. Regarding chili peppers, it refers to a scientific equivalent of the Scoville scale of measuring spicyness.
Mechanism
Mechanism
The pungent feeling caused by capsaicin, piperine, and allicin is caused by activation of the heat and acidity sensing TRPC ion channel TRPC1 on nociceptors (pain sensing nerve cells).
See also
See also
- Capsaicin from chili pepper
- Piperine from black pepper
- Allyl isothiocyanate from mustard, radishes, horseradish and wasabi
- Allicin from uncooked garlic and onions
- Spice
- Pain and nociception
- Scoville Scale
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