Too Many Takis – What Happens When You Eat Them?

If you’re a fan of hot chips, chances are that you’ve probably tried Takis. They’re sour, spicy, and so addictive! Like most snacks, once you start eating Takis, it can be difficult to stop, and it can be very easy to go overboard, especially if you have the giant family pack.

Since Takis are super spicy and not exactly healthy, it may not be such a great idea to munch on them without thinking. Let’s find out why.

So, what happens when you eat too many Takis? Eating too many Takis can have an undesirable effect on your digestive system and irritate the sensitive lining in your stomach. Also, their high sodium and fat content can cause negative side effects such as high blood pressure and weight gain.

Read on to find out more about Takis, why eating too many Takis can be bad for your health, and how moderation is the key.

What Are Takis?

Takis are a very popular snack in the US that was invented in Mexico in 1999. They are rolled tortillas that come in a variety of flavors including Fuego, Blue Heat, Crunchy Fajitas, Guacamole, and Nitro. Out of the lot, Fuego is the OG Takis flavor with the perfect balance of spice and sourness.

Like most chips that you’ll find in the snack aisle of the supermarket, Takis are high in carbohydrates and are filled with saturated fats, trans-fats, sodium, artificial flavors, colors, and chemicals.

The number of chemical additives added to them strips them of any vital nutrients and converts them into ultra-processed “non-foods”.

Why Are Takis So Addictive?

Like every unhealthy snack, Takis are super addictive. What makes them so addictive, though?

Firstly, they come packed with delicious seasonings that are the perfect balance of spicy and sour. Just the thought of it makes our mouths salivate! The spiciness of the chips causes your brain to release endorphins and dopamine – the feel-good hormones – making Takis as irresistible as they are.

The high amount of salt also plays a significant role in making them so utterly delicious and difficult to stop eating.

It is easier to practice self-control with foods that have a lower salt content as compared to foods that are laden with salt.

Takis come in regular-sized packets as well as huge family-sized ones. They are easy and convenient to eat and can be carried around anywhere.

Since preparing a healthy snack can oftentimes be a hassle, most people resort to such unhealthy snacks as they are as simple as grab-and-go.

How Many Takis Are Too Many?

Some flavors of Takis are spicier than others and you may notice that having too many can upset your digestive system and cause issues such as stomach aches, diarrhea, heartburn, and acid reflux.

Also, since they are highly processed, their overconsumption is linked to obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.

While there is no definite number as to how many Takis you should eat, you can determine the right amount for yourself based on your overall health. 

Considering how delicious these spicy chips are, we know it’s a challenge to stop yourself from indulging. But getting too up close and personal with Takis can land you straight to the toilet and cause some serious damage to your stomach lining and cause ulcers. 

Following are some of the most common complications of having too many Takis:

• Heartburn and acid reflux: Takis are highly acidic and can irritate the esophageal lining, leading to both heartburn and acid reflux.
  
• Stomach issues: Takis are very spicy and can cause stomach and digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and ulcers.
  
• High blood pressure: Takis are high in sodium and can cause issues such as high blood pressure. It may also cause dehydration which may lead to headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
  
• Tooth sensitivity: The highly acidic nature of Takis can erode the tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities.
  
• Weight gain: Since Takis are high in calories, they can lead to weight gain, particularly if they are eaten in large quantities.

Why Eating Too Many Takis Is Bad For You?

Here are all the reasons why eating too many Takis can be bad for you:

1. They Are Highly Processed

Processed foods are foods that have been changed from their natural state and have undergone a manufacturing process to look and taste the way that they do.

There are several examples of processed foods that we use in our daily lives. They include breakfast cereals, cheese, bread, snacks, biscuits, and meat products such as ham, bacon, and sausages.

Takis, on the other hand, are an example of a highly processed food item that goes through multiple processes, has many ingredients added to it, and is extremely manipulated.

Eating too much of it may mean eating more than the recommended amount of salt, sugar, and fat, and also putting unnecessary chemicals and additives in your body that do more harm than good.

2. They Are High in Sodium

Takis, like most other salty snacks, are full of salt. Each 28-gram serving of these delicious corn chips packs an insane amount of 390 mg of sodium.

While it is perfectly alright to eat foods with a reasonable amount of sodium as it plays an integral role in flavor enhancement, the issue arises when the sodium content surpasses the recommended intake.

Consuming foods that are very high in sodium, such as Takis, can lead to negative health issues such as increased blood pressure and heart issues such as strokes and heart attacks.

3. They Are Incredibly Spicy

Eating too much of any type of spicy food can affect your digestive health, and Takis are no different.

Like other hot chips such as Hot Cheetos and Spicy Doritos, Takis are full of spicy seasoning that can irritate the sensitive lining of your stomach if consumed in large amounts.

This level of spiciness can contribute to gastritis, a condition that brings about symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. People already suffering from the condition may notice their symptoms getting worse by eating too many Takis.

It may also trigger issues like heartburn and indigestion and trigger symptoms among people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

That being said, you must steer clear of spicy foods such as Takis, especially if you notice your condition getting worse due to their consumption.

Moderation Is the Key

The list of reasons mentioned above that state why you can’t have too many Takis doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy them at all. The key here is to eat them in moderation.

As with many things in life, you’ll invite some adverse effects on your health if you go overboard. Be it spicy food, sweet food, salty food, or even things not related to food!

While Takis are basically nutritionless and offer nothing more than taste, you can allow yourself an occasional small bag. Just make sure you practice some self-control and do not go overboard.

Since they are ultra-processed and full of carbs, fats, and salt, they can be bad for your health if consumed in large amounts. Therefore, think twice before you get a family-sized bag and plan on eating it all in one sitting.

The spicy flavor is sure to appease your taste buds but the spiciness can mess with your digestive health, the high fat and calorie content can ruin your day’s balanced diet, and the general feeling of heaviness can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep.

Unless you want to spend the following day on the toilet writhing in pain, we suggest keeping a check on your Taki consumption and enjoying it in moderation.

Buy your favorite flavor of Takis here and enjoy these delicious spicy snacks with your family and friends, in moderation of course!

Related Questions

Why is My Poop Red After Eating Takis?

Since Takis contain a lot of red food dye, eating too much can cause your poop to turn red or orange. This happens when you eat other hot chips as well, such as Hot Cheetos. It’s nothing to worry about and is solely due to the food coloring.

Are There Any Healthier Alternatives to Takis?

If you’re looking for healthier alternatives to Takis, you can look for baked or air-fried chips. However, if the alternatives are also heavily seasoned with spices, eating too much will make your stomach hurt. You can opt for healthy snacks such as popcorn or make your own spicy chips at home, keeping a check on the level of spice and salt that your system can easily tolerate.

What Is the Least Spicy Takis Flavor?

Takis come in several different flavors, each with a different spice level. Smokin’ Lime is the mildest out of them all and has a smoky chipotle and lime flavor. Crunchy Fajitas and Guacamole are also comparatively milder. Fuego is the spiciest one.