Have you ever wondered how healthy the hot sauce is you just slapped on your eggs? Wonder no more. Below are the positives associated with spicy foods. Spicy food is enjoyed all over the world. Spices add an incredible amount of flavor to what we eat. Cultures all over the world havedishes that excite and stimulate your palate. They can add heat and improved flavor to everyday meals. If you like spicy food like peppers, curries and hot sauces, there is much more to look forward to besides taste. Recent research shows that adding some spice to our meals can provide more health benefits than previously thought. In addition to making our taste buds sizzle, spicy foods come with many perks. They include:
Weight-loss: Hot peppers contain capsaicin, this will speed up metabolism and help the body burn calories faster. This is because capsaicin increases your body temperature and contributes to an increase in your heart rate. Plus, studies have shown that people who eat spicy foods eat smaller portions, which can reduce their calorie intake.
Heart health: Spicy food is good for your heart: Hot peppers help to improve heart health by improving the body’s ability to dissolve blood clots. Research has shown that low-density cholesterol (LDL, the bad cholesterol, which can clog arteries), resisted oxidation for a longer period of time if chillies were added to the diet. This reduces the heart stroke risk. The capsaicin in peppers also fights inflammation, which has been identified as a risk factor for heart disease. And, statistics show that cultures that eat spicy foods frequently have a much lower rate of heart attacks and stroke.
Improved circulation: Spicy foods also promote good circulation, and they appear to lower blood pressure. When we eat spicy food, our body’s temperature is raised; therefore, it increases our blood flow and gets our heart pumping. Peppers help strengthen theblood vessel walls because they are high in vitamins A and C.
Anti-cancerous properties: Several studies have shown that regular consumption of chillies and curry decrease the risk of cancer. Capsaicin slows the growth of cancer cells and in some cases, even causes the cancer cells to die off without damaging the surroundingcells. In countries where diets are traditionally high in capsaicin like India and Mexico, people tend to have lower rates of some cancers.
Improved digestion: Spices also improve your digestion because they increase the hydrochloric secretion of your stomach. This will increase the blood flow to the stomach and even increase the mucous lining. Capsaicin also helps to kill bacteria like H. pylori and helps to prevent orcure ulcers of the stomach. If you get heartburn from spicy foods, try taking an antacid relief tablet which will neutralise acids in the stomach.
Arthritis: Turmeric (haldi) reduces joint inflammation and destruction of our bones. Circumin is present in turmeric, which helps to alleviatethe pain associated with arthritis.
Cold and flu: Capasicin has been shown to promote sweating and ease the discomfort of cold and flu symptoms. It helps to open up thenasal passages. It may also reduce sinusitis, and other cold and flu symptoms.
Improved sleep patterns: Australian researchers found that people who regularly consumed spicy meals fall asleep more easily. They also woke up easier and had more energy throughout the day.
Mood lifters: Hot peppers help boost the level of endorphins and serotonin, both of which dull pain and give us a feeling of well being. They also act as depression fighters and powerful stress relievers.
Improved breathing: Hot peppers act as an expectorant. They help people afflicted with asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, sinusitis and other respiratory conditions breathe easier. Hot peppers can help you to breathe better by opening up clogged nasal passages. Go ahead, add your favorite peppers, hot sauces, and spices and reap the amazing heath benefits that go along with eating spicy foods.