When it comes to food, we all have our guilty pleasures. Whether it be a slice of chocolate cake or a bag of sour candy, there are just some snacks you can't say no to.
Although your vices aren't typically good for your health, it's hard to say no to them when they're put right in front of you.
But, you must master self-control, or else you can face serious consequences, like one 17-year-old girl in Memphis, Tennessee.
Rene Craighead estimated that her daughter, also named Rene, had about four bags of Hot Cheetos before she felt pain in her stomach. The teenager was rushed to the hospital where she had her gallbladder removed, and Craighead believes it all has to do with the spicy chips.
"She loves them. Every time I go out she says, 'Bring me back some Hot Takis, bring me back some Hot Chips.' I want to make her her happy, so I brought them back. She was eating big bags and would take them to school with her," Craighead told WREG-TV.
However, medical professionals don't associate gallbladder issues with specific types of food, but rather with an individual's weight.
"Being overweight or having obesity may make you more likely to develop gallstones, especially if you are a woman," the National Institutes of Health reported.
"Researchers have found that people who have obesity may have higher levels of cholesterol in their bile, which can cause gallstones. ... Some studies have shown that people who carry large amounts of fat around their waist may be more likely to develop gallstones," it continued.
But, Dr. Cary Cavender, a gastroenterologist at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, revealed he's seen's a link between an excessive intake of spicy foods and stomach issues.
"We do see tons of gastritis and ulcer-related stuff due to it," Cavender said. "We probably see around 100 kids a month, easily."
This isn't the first time someone's claimed that spicy food can be harmful to your health. In 2012, Dr. Yvonne Juarez, a pediatrician in Fresno, California, told the Fresno Bee spicy snacks can increase your stomach's acidity, leading to several aches and pains.
"I've had patients go to the ER because of it," Juarez said at the time. "It's insane, absolutely insane."
Buchanan Public Relations released a statement on behalf of Takis, another snack food brand that produces spicy chips, and defended their products. They tried to reassure their consumers that the ingredients "fully comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations."
"We assure you that Takis are safe to eat, but should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet. Takis ingredients fully comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, and all of the ingredients in each flavor are listed in detail on the label. Always check the serving size before snacking," it said.
Frito-Lay, the company that makes the Cheetos products, also released a statement on the incident and said their chips are made with high quality.
"At Frito-Lay, food safety is always our number one priority, and our snacks meet all applicable food safety regulations as well as our rigorous quality standards," the company said in a statement.
"Some consumers may be more sensitive to spicy foods than others and may choose to avoid spicier snacks due to personal preference," it concluded.
Luckily, not all food is bad for you. Check out these snacks that can actually improve your health:
