There are numerous types of hot peppers in the world, including the famous habanero, chili, jalapeno, cayenne and more. Not only aret these hot peppers a great way to add flavor to recipes, they also have a lot of good benefits for the body, proven to have positive health effects for anybody who eats them.
Hot and spicy foods, especially peppers, are very rich in capsaicin, a component which helps the body resist diseases and treats pain. Eating spicy foods like peppers may also help improve immunity, hence make you live longer.
You can do more than just enjoy the delicious spicy taste of spicy foods. Studies show that spicy foods like horseradish and hot peppers can help treat a common cold and aid in making you sweat. Furthermore, some of its spices contain powerful antioxidants which are helpful in preventing the growth of cancerous cells.
Health Benefits of Spicy Foods
Some may not like the spicy and hot flavor of some spicy foods. However, the following list of their health benefits might be surprising enough to change their minds and encourage them to dig in:
The spices in spicy foods combat cancer cells. Research shows that one of the most active components of the chili pepper, capsaicin, has a positive effect in slowing down or destroying cancer cells in the body. Furthermore, some research also shows that capsaicin removes cancer cells but doesn’t touch healthy cells.
Spicy foods help speed up metabolism. Research shows that certain spices like cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, chilies and peppers may help raise your metabolic rate. Furthermore, it can also help in reduce or slow down your appetite. This effect is mild, but significant enough to try incorporating cinnamon in your diet to help lose weight, particularly if you’ve reached a certain range.
The spices in spicy foods help kill various bacteria. The turmeric and cumin components of spicy foods have amazing and powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, meaning they’re beneficial in combatting harmful bacteria in the body.
Spicy foods help with longevity. Studies show that eating spicy food 6-7 days per can can help reduce your mortality rate by up to 14%.
The spices in spicy foods fight inflammation. A compound in turmeric known as curcumin may help reduce inflammation in the body. Centuries ago, people used the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic and ginger to treat various conditions like autoimmune disorders, arthritis, nausea and headaches.
Harmful Effects of Eating Spicy Foods
It is not always the health benefits of spicy foods that are important, you should also consider the following side effects:
Gastrointestinal effects. While we tend to be more concerned about our mouth, stomach and intestines, the gastrointestinal tract is where we feel the most heat when eating spicy foods. However, that burning sensation isn’t actually burning at all. It is the capsaicin that activates and releases Substance P, which transmits pain in stomach and mouth.
Skin. Human hand syndrome might occur when you handle spicy peppers before consuming them. HHS is a condition wherein you feel a sudden pain, swelling and redness in the skin.
Mouth. The burning sensation in the mouth is probably the most common side effect of eating spicy foods. The good thing is, the condition is just temporary. You may need to drink some milk, though, because water is not enough to relieve the pain.
Eyes. When you touch your eyes after handling chili or pepper, they might feel swelling and pain. If this happens, stay calm! You need to get a wet towel and dampen your eyes, gently rubbing until the pain is relieved. However, if you happen to get blurry vision, you need to go to the doctor immediately for testing.
Capsaicin is a blood thinner. If you have been on certain medications, the capsaicin present in peppers might cause harm by making the blood thinner.
Conclusion
Spicy foods aren’t just there to satisfy your cravings. The health benefits of spicy foods are also something to look for out. Their adverse effect on the health, especially in fighting cancerous cells and increasing those chemicals in the body which make us feel good, is amazing. Spicy foods also help reduce the number of unhealthy fats in the body. Therefore, we can say that spicy foods are good for your health.
