Anne Hathaway's Doctor Told Her To Skip Viral 'Hot Ones' Spicy Wing Challenge Over Early Labour Risk

Anne Hathaway was ready to take on one of the internet's most recognisable celebrity challenges, but pregnancy changed those plans.

The actor recently revealed that her doctor advised her against appearing on 'Hot Ones' during the promotional tour for her upcoming film 'Verity', warning that she might go into early labour if she took part in the spicy-wing challenge.

Hathaway discussed the decision while appearing on the 'Talk of the Townsends' podcast. She had hoped to participate in the real-life challenge because 'Hot Ones' also features in the film, in which her character, Verity Crawford, appears on the fictional version of the show.

Hathaway said she ate the first three wings for real while filming the scene before switching to dummy wings. She had hoped to complete the full challenge during the film's press tour, but said her pregnancy changed those plans.

Can Spicy Food Really Induce Labour?

Spicy food has long been suggested as a natural way to bring on labour, but there is little evidence that eating hot foods can reliably start childbirth.

According to Henry Ford Health, the theory partly comes from the effect spicy foods can have on the digestive system. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chilli peppers, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some people.

The digestive effects of spicy food have been proposed as one possible explanation for the belief that it might stimulate labour, but there is no good evidence that spicy food can reliably bring on labour.

The NHS similarly says there are no proven ways to safely start labour at home. It specifically lists certain foods and drinks among commonly suggested methods that lack evidence.

That means Hathaway's doctor's warning should not be interpreted as evidence that a plate of spicy wings can routinely induce labour.

Why Would a Doctor Be Cautious About Early Labour?

The concern is more significant when pregnancy has not reached full term.

Preterm labour refers to labour that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born prematurely can face health problems because their organs and body systems may not yet be fully developed. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the potential vulnerability.

Pregnancy care is also individual. A person's medical history, pregnancy complications and stage of pregnancy can all affect what activities or foods a doctor may recommend avoiding.

For that reason, advice given to one pregnant person should not automatically be applied to another.

What Actually Causes Labour To Begin?

Labour is a complex biological process involving hormonal and physical changes that prepare the uterus and cervix for childbirth. Doctors can also induce labour medically when there is a reason that delivering the baby is safer than continuing the pregnancy.

The NHS notes that induction may be recommended when a pregnancy goes beyond 41 weeks or when there are health concerns affecting the mother or baby. Medical induction can involve hormones, devices that help open the cervix or, in some cases, a hormone drip.

By contrast, methods such as eating spicy food are not established medical induction techniques.

Henry Ford Health also advises pregnant women to discuss attempts to encourage labour with their doctor or midwife, noting that there is still much that is not fully understood about what causes labour to begin.

Should Pregnant Women Avoid Spicy Food?

Not necessarily.

Spicy foods are generally not automatically off-limits during pregnancy. However, they can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or worsen heartburn, which is already common during pregnancy. NHS maternity guidance states there is no evidence that eating hot and spicy food encourages labour.

The bigger takeaway from Hathaway's experience is that pregnancy can change what is appropriate for an individual, particularly when a demanding activity is involved.

For someone who is pregnant and considering ways to bring on labour, relying on viral tips is not the safest approach. A doctor or midwife can provide advice based on the pregnancy, gestational age and individual health circumstances.

As for Hathaway, the full 'Hot Ones' gauntlet will have to wait. She said she may take on the challenge next year.