Spicy Food Enthusiasts Will Probably Be Delighted to Know About These 14 Benefits

When we are sick, doctors always advise eating light foods and avoiding spicy, hot foods that can irritate the stomach. Over time, this has led many people to view spicy foods as unhealthy.

In reality, this belief is not entirely accurate; consuming a moderate amount of spicy food can be beneficial rather than harmful to health, offering unexpected advantages!

1. Increases Appetite

Spicy foods can stimulate the stomach and improve your appetite.

If you suddenly feel a lack of appetite and nothing seems tasty, try incorporating some spicy foods into your diet. Spicy foods can stimulate the stomach and enhance the taste buds, improving digestion and increasing gastric contractions. Therefore, spicy foods can alleviate feelings of appetite loss and promote your digestive process.

2. Enhances Blood Circulation

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, chili peppers help warm the body and dispel coldness. When consumed in moderation, they can help dilate blood vessels, thereby promoting blood circulation throughout the body. Thus, spicy foods can enhance circulation and blood flow.

3. Aids Weight Loss

The spiciness in chili peppers helps break down fats while also boosting the stomach’s digestive capacity, burning off excess body fat. Therefore, chili peppers are excellent ingredients for weight loss.

Chili peppers can promote blood circulation and warm the body.

4. Warms the Body

As mentioned earlier, chili peppers can boost blood circulation, which also helps to dispel coldness and warm the body. When you find yourself in a cold environment, consider eating more chili to help warm up.

5. Relieves Cold Symptoms

Chili peppers also have the beneficial effect of thinning mucus in the nasal passages. When we catch a cold, common symptoms include nasal congestion or a runny nose. In such cases, consuming chili can help clear nasal passages, making breathing easier and promoting sweating, which helps dispel the cold from the body, thereby speeding up recovery from the cold.

6. Prevents Gallstones

Chili peppers are rich in vitamin C, which aids in converting cholesterol into bile, preventing the formation of gallstones. Furthermore, those who already have gallstones can consume spicy foods in moderation based on their condition, which may yield some positive therapeutic effects.

7. Protects Heart Health

Spicy chili peppers can help break down fats, thereby contributing to lower blood fat levels, reducing the risk of stroke, and delaying the onset of atherosclerosis.

Spicy peppers promote hormone secretion, improving skin health.

8. Improves Skin Health

Many beauty enthusiasts claim that one should avoid spicy foods because they can lead to acne. In reality, this largely depends on individual body chemistry. Chili peppers primarily promote hormone secretion, which can improve skin health. Additionally, the vitamin C found in chili peppers has anti-aging properties. Therefore, spicy foods can also be considered beneficial for skin health!

9. Reduces Inflammation in the Gut

According to Amy Shapiro, a nutrition expert and founder of Real Nutrition, many people believe that spicy foods cause stomach pain. However, studies show that capsaicin can actually increase blood flow to the digestive tract and prevent the formation of ulcers.

A 2006 study found that capsaicin can enhance blood flow to the digestive tract lining and protect it from damage.

Ashlee Wright, a nutrition expert at the non-profit healthcare organization Orlando Health, states that spicy foods can also act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, and support digestion by combating harmful bacteria.

Shapiro notes that this benefit is particularly useful for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

10. Increases Longevity

A large population study conducted in 2015 in adults in China found that those who consumed spicy foods almost daily had a 14% lower risk of early death compared to those who consumed them once a week.

“This may be due to its anti-inflammatory effects, improved heart health, and reduced obesity,” Shapiro states. Additionally, a 2017 study from the University of Vermont found similar longevity effects in the U.S., according to Wright.

Spicy foods can also act as antioxidants, reducing inflammation.

However, it is important to remember that spicy foods are not a “magic bullet” for health. Therefore, consuming them should be paired with a healthy diet and consistent exercise habits.

Wright states, “Other lifestyle factors need to be considered. Adding spicy foods or ingredients to a healthy, balanced diet is the best approach.”

11. Eases Pain

Eating spicy foods not only improves health; topical creams containing capsaicin can also help relieve pain. Shapiro mentions, “Topical forms of capsaicin can reduce pain sensations from nerve damage or other skin conditions.”

A 2011 study found that a 60-minute patch with a high concentration of capsaicin (8%) effectively reduced pain in patients with nerve pain for up to 12 weeks. Capsaicin is also effective for pain relief from sprains, muscle injuries, fibromyalgia, or arthritis.

Over-the-counter creams containing capsaicin are available at most pharmacies, or you can consult your doctor regarding prescription capsaicin creams.

12. Boosts Metabolism

Shapiro notes that spicy foods can boost metabolism by increasing heart rate and thermogenesis in the body, leading to greater calorie burning.

Metabolism is the process by which the body converts food into energy. The faster the metabolism, the more calories we burn, allowing us to consume more food without gaining weight.

The chemical compound capsaicin in chili peppers offers many benefits for metabolism. In fact, a 2012 review of 20 studies found that capsaicin helps the body burn an additional 50 calories per day.

The review also indicated that capsaicin can act as an appetite suppressant, making you feel fuller and reducing calorie intake. However, dietary sources of capsaicin may not be sufficient to provide all these benefits. For instance, other studies show that supplementing with 6 mg of capsaicin daily is associated with weight loss.

Shapiro says, “While sprinkling spices on a salad during meals won’t lead to weight loss, regularly incorporating spices into your daily intake can boost metabolism.”

13. Prevents Cardiovascular Issues

One significant benefit of chili peppers is their effectiveness in supporting heart health. The capsaicin compound that gives chili peppers their heat has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and improve blood circulation, thereby enhancing heart health.

According to the American Heart Association, those who consume chili peppers correctly and regularly have a 26% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who do not eat them. In fact, frequent chili consumption is linked to a 25% reduction in deaths from all causes and a 23% reduction in cancer-related deaths compared to those who never or rarely consume chili peppers.

14. Reduces Cancer Risk

Chili peppers can help reduce cancer risk. Capsaicin has been shown to possess anti-cancer properties, as it can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and even trigger cancer cell death in certain types of cancer. Additionally, the antioxidants in chili peppers contribute to lowering cancer risk by neutralizing free radicals that may lead to cancer development.

However, everyone has different taste preferences. Some people do not like or even cannot eat spicy food; just a bit of pepper can make them “grimace in discomfort.” Therefore, it is important to consider your own taste when consuming an amount of spice that is just right for your health.

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