Hot and Healthy: The Nutritional Marvels of Spicy Foods

July 25, 2023

Spicy foods have been a staple of human diets for hundreds of years, and their popularity is growing globally. Many Asian cuisines include spices, and spicy foods are favored throughout the region. With a plethora of spices to choose from in Asia, Asian kitchens can create even the most basic meals that are bursting with the tingling sensation and flavor that spicy foods provide to their dishes.

However, there is still debate about whether eating spicy foods provides health benefits or whether they have negative health impacts. In the following article, we’ll look at the health benefits and potential risks of eating spicy foods.

Hot health facts about chili

When you consume spicy food, your body reacts in a variety of ways. Spicy foods, particularly those containing capsaicin, the chemical that gives chili peppers their heat, interact with nerve receptors in the gastrointestinal tract and mouth. Capsaicin attaches to these receptors and transmits a pain signal to the brain, similar to how heat feels when you contact a hot surface. As your body strives to cool down and maintain an ideal temperature, physiological processes such as perspiration and flushing occur. While moderate consumption of spicy food is generally healthy for people who do not have pre-existing stomach problems, it might cause digestive tract inflammation, which can cause heartburn, stomachaches, or diarrhea. Individuals suffering from gastritis may be more prone to abdominal pain. However, these health benefits of eating spicy meals, on the other hand, can surely whet one’s appetite.

Metabolism Boost

Consuming spicy meals may have a favorable effect on metabolism, according to some studies. The New York Times reported on a study that found that volunteers who took daily capsaicin tablets equivalent to the amount found in four or five habanero chiles experienced an increase in metabolism, burning roughly 200 extra calories per day, during a 14-week period.

Cardiovascular Health

Chili consumption has been linked to a reduction in calcium deposition in the coronary arteries, which feed blood to the heart. This finding implies that it may have a preventive effect on heart health.

Potential Anti-Cancer Properties

Capsaicin and piperine, which are found in peppercorns have been shown in laboratory experiments to inhibit or destroy human breast cancer cells. However, further research is required to properly comprehend the ramifications of these discoveries and their potential as cancer treatments.

Longevity

If you want to live longer, you might want to incorporate chili in your recipe! A Chinese study discovered that those who ate spicy food six to seven times a week for several years had a 14% lower risk of death than those who ate spicy food less frequently. The precise reasons behind this link are unknown, but the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of spicy foods are considered to play a role.

Asia is abundant with hot spices

There is a wide variety of Asian spices that have several health benefits. These traditional spices have played a vital part in Asian cultures, both in culinary creations and traditional medicine, from boosting digestion and immunity to lowering inflammation and supporting mental well-being. Including these savory and medicinal spices in your diet can be a delicious approach to improve your general health and well-being.

Allspice

A staple ingredient in various East Asian recipes, allspice, which combines the flavors of pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon, aids digestion, improves circulation, promotes dental health, enhances immunity, and supports heart health

Black Pepper

Black pepper, sometimes known as the “King of Spices,” stimulates weight reduction, soothes cold and cough symptoms, improves digestion, increases metabolism, and treats skin problems. Cook up some Adobo – a popular soy sauce and vinegar marinated meat dish from the Philippines or whip up Cambodia’s Lok Lak beef recipe for a hearty peppery taste!

Curry Leaves

This spice is essential in Indian and some Southeast Asian recipes, cuisine, curry leaves provide an earthy and spicy taste. They are used in flavoring rice, chutneys, dals, soups, and stews, as well as for garnishing in Southeast Asian cooking. Don’t forget to sample Malaysia’s Kari Ayam – chicken curry – for a delicious dose of that healthy curry goodness!

Turmeric

This rhizome has anti-inflammatory effects and has been associated to decreased brain inflammation, enhanced memory, and cognitive wellness. Turmeric can also help arthritis sufferers reduce pain and swelling.

Ginger

Ginger has been used in Asian cultures for centuries to treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea. It is effective in calming pregnancy-related nausea, reducing tummy upset after surgery, and even cutting the severity of motion sickness. Indonesia’s beef rendang makes a gastronomic wonder with ginger as one of its main ingredients.

SOURCES:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/05/well/eat/spicy-food-body-health.html.

https://www.ndtv.com/food/health-benefits-of-38-important-spices-from-around-the-world-1811783

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-spices-with-healthy-benefits)

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