It seems like every time you see a kid, they have a thin layer of Takis residue on their fingers.

Many kids at Saluda Trail Middle School love hot chips, but many don’t know the history behind them. Potato chips were first created by George Crum in 1853. About 137 years later, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos were created by Richard Montañez, who was inspired by Mexican street food. Since then, hot chips have become extremely popular because of their bold flavor and intense spiciness.

 Ashanti Powell, a 7th grader, likes hot chips.  She said her favorite brand is “Takis,” and said the best part about eating them is, “When I lick my fingers.” Many kids at STMS feel the same way. Takis have grown in popularity over the past few years, and you can see kids, adults, TikTok creators, and YouTubers eating or promoting them online.

Spicy chips have also led to challenges over the years, like the “One Chip Challenge.” Many kids and adults who tried the challenge said it felt like they were dying or that their tongue was going to fall off. Hot chips are especially popular during lunch at STMS. “I at least see somebody eating them every day,” said Mrs. McCoy, the 7th grade school counselor. “They’re really popular on our Wildcat Cart,” she added. Many students use their Wildcat Bucks—small paper rewards students earn for good behavior or participation—to buy hot chips to share with friends or keep for themselves.

Even though spicy chips have grown in popularity over the past 36 years, many health issues have also come up. “Spicy food can increase your blood pressure and cause headaches and stomachaches,” said Julie Parker, Saluda Trail’s School Nurse.  These issues are caused by capsaicin, a natural chemical found in chili peppers that creates the heat in spicy chips. Capsaicin can irritate the lining of your stomach and speed up digestion, which may cause acid reflux, bloating, and diarrhea. “Any kind of processed food is bad for your body, and it’s hard for your stomach to digest the ingredients,” Nurse Julie added. Many hot chips contain high levels of sodium, unhealthy fats, and food coloring, which can lead to heart or liver problems. Some hot chips also contain Red 40, which can trigger allergic reactions. As you can see, even though hot chips are tasty and popular, many of their ingredients can be harmful to the human body.