5 Benefits to Eating Spicy Foods

For many people all over the world, spicy foods hold a special place in their hearts. Whether you rouse your tastebuds with a mild flavor or nearly set fires in your mouth with a high-level pepper, adding heat to a dish can make it a lot tastier. Although I am somewhat of a wimp when it comes to spicy foods, I have recently been trying to acclimate my tastebuds a bit more. The benefits of spice go far beyond flavoring alone. Recent research has found that, when consumed in moderation, it can positively affect your health too. With that in mind, here are five healthy reasons you should eat spicy foods.

Assist Weight Loss

When you’re trying to keep the weight off, adding spice to your food can be a major help. The main reason for this is that most spices increase your body heat, which boosts metabolism, and therefore makes it easier for you to burn calories. Other types of spice, like cinnamon, assist in balancing your blood sugar, making you feel fuller for longer. Adding spice to your food can also make it taste better, which means you’re more likely to stick to a healthy food plan.

Protect Against Ulcers

Anyone who has ever eaten spicy food before has probably heard the old wives’ tale that it can cause ulcers, or, worse still, burn holes in your stomach. Thankfully, this is far from scientifically proven. In fact, research instead suggests that certain hot peppers can actually protect you against ulcers. This is because a compound in those peppers kills the bacteria that causes them. So, next time someone tries to scare you off eating Indian food, you can tell them that.

Alleviate Sinus Trouble

When you’re stuck at home with a terrible cold, spicy foods are probably the last thing on your mind. However, adding a drop or two of ghost pepper sauce to your food can make you feel a lot better. After all, spicy food tends to leave you with a runny nose, which means that, if yours is all bunged up, the heat from the spices can be helpful. The hotter the spice, the greater the decongesting impact, so opt for the hottest one that you can handle.

Prevent Heart Problems

Inflammation is believed to be the cause of many serious chronic diseases, including heart disease. Luckily, certain spices have the power to fight this issue. In addition to this, many of these spices can also dissolve blood clots, reduce stress, lower cholesterol, and much more. They also help you to maintain a healthy weight, which is also vital for good heart health. By reducing the risk of heart problems in this way, it allows you to live a much longer life.

Naturally Improve Your Mood

Some spicy foods trigger the release of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain. This chemical is known as a feel-good hormone, as it helps to improve your mood and fight negative feelings, stress, and depression. Just be aware that eating a chili pepper now and then isn’t going to cure any mental health issues. If you’re struggling, you should seek professional help, rather than relying on spicy foods.

As well as being tasty, spicy foods offer a number of benefits for your health. If you’re not a fan of spice yet, then start with a few mild dishes and slowly work your way up to the hotter ones.