Howdy, all you heat lovers!
There are few things that wake you up quite like spice.
We all know the feeling... runny nose, burning mouth, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Some people are into it, others aren’t.
If you're someone who dislikes heat, today’s video might change your opinion.
Let’s talk about what happens to your body when you eat spicy food.
Can it help with ulcers?
What about heart health?
Wait, can spice actually reduce your chances of cancer?
We’re talking all this AND more...
Improves Mood Feeling depressed lately?
Well, break out the chilli peppers!
Spicy food can actually make you feel happier.
Have you ever heard of endorphins?
These feel-good hormones are released when you exercise, ride a rollercoaster, or laugh
with a friend.
Capsaicin has a similar effect.
Brace yourself, because you’re going to be hearing this word a lot today.
Capsaicin is the hot compound present in chilli peppers.
If consumed in large doses, it can cause severe short-term symptoms such as stomach pain,
diarrhea, and vomiting.
The good news is that the gut lining is not permanently damaged.
According to a study, capsaicinoids send messages to your brain that mislead it into thinking
you're in pain.
In response, your brain produces feel-good hormones to counteract this imagined pain.
Studies show that endorphins play a crucial role in your body's ability to control pain
and enjoy pleasure.
So sprinkle a few chillies on your next meal.
If you eat this on a regular basis, chances are you’ll feel better.
Keep in mind, you need to be eating the right foods.
Maybe you can make some pad thai.
It also goes well with pasta, chicken and other dinners.
What’s the spiciest food you’ve ever eaten?
Do you have a really wild spice story?
Sound off in the comment section, and start a conversation with our Bestie community...
You Feel Colder This may sound like a strange benefit, but
hear us out.
I know it seems strange to eat chilli sauce on a hot summer day, but spicy food might
help you cool down.
It makes sense when you think about it.
Chilli peppers make you sweat, and sweating cools you down.
This happens due to a mechanism known as gustatory facial perspiration.
Eating spicy food causes your face to sweat.
When your sweat evaporates, your body feels cooler.
So the next time the temperature’s scorching hot, maybe go for a spicy lunch.
Your body will thank you later on.
Your Heart Is Healthier Cultures that eat spicy foods have fewer instances
of heart disease.
This means fewer strokes and heart attacks.
Why?
Well it’s believed that the foods they eat the most, such as jalapenos, cayenne peppers,
and red chilli peppers, decrease cholesterol levels and battle inflammation.
According to a study, those who ate chilli peppers regularly had a 13% lower risk of
death.
This was because these fire eaters had fewer instances of cardiovascular issues.
Capsaicin obstructs the gene that causes artery narrowing, eventually boosting blood flow
in the vessels.
This can also help reduce blood pressure and prevent clots.
The heat produced by the body improves blood flow.
Capsaicin also contains anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for heart
health since inflammation causes plaque to collect in the blood vessel walls.
Apart from this, many spicy peppers are high in vitamins A and C, which help to strengthen
the heart muscle walls.
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Decreases Risk of Ulcers While the capsaicin in hot peppers is frequently
blamed for ulcers, experts claim this isn’t true.
Capsaicin suppresses acid production, boosts blood flow to the stomach, and stimulates
mucus production.
As a result, you’ll see fewer ulcers.
There's a lot of research to back this up.
One of the most common causes of ulcers is the use of NSAIDs.
This is short for ‘nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs’.
This includes things like ibuprofen.
Capsaicin encourages the stomach to create preventive mechanisms in order to fight off
these ulcers.
Capsaicin stimulates something called gastrointestinal mucosal blood flow.
This allows the ulcer to heal quicker.
Experts also claim there is no proof that spicy meals harm pre-existing ulcers.
However, if spicy food gives you physical discomfort, it might be smart to eat less.
Before we move ahead, here’s another video you might like.
Watch and learn more about 6 exercises for women that will transform their bodies in
just 4 weeks.
Now back to our discussion on the effects of spice on your body...
Strengthens the Immune System It seems like a spicy pepper a day does keep
the doctor away.
Numerous studies have revealed that capsaicin has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
properties.
Hot peppers work with the immune system to fight off viruses and other forms of illness.
This is again thanks to the power of capsaicin.
Capsaicin has also been found to strengthen your internal organs.
On top of capsaicin, chilli peppers have Vitamin A. This is required to maintain the tissue
in the respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal tracts.
These systems serve as the body's primary defence against infections and germs.
The Vitamin C in chillies helps maintain the cardiovascular tissues.
This ensures that your body has good circulation.
The spice in peppers helps to remove congestion by pushing bacteria and allergens out of your
body.
This explains the runny nose you get after eating something hot.
Reduces Your Risk of Cancer This is one of the benefits that should leave
most people curious.
Cancer is terrifying, and anything that can help decrease your chances should be considered.
Yes, spices have the power to fight cancer.
It seems unbelievable, doesn’t it?
Well there’s a lot of research to back this up.
According to a study, capsaicin has a wild superpower!
It can connect to the proteins in tumour cells and kill them.
This is done without hurting the healthy cells around them.
There are several animal studies to back this up as well.
Capsaicin activates cell receptors in the intestinal lining of mice, lowering their
risk of developing cancer.
Another study discovered that capsaicin causes cancer cells in the prostate to self-destruct.
A body of scientific evidence supports the benefits of not only chilli pepper, but other
spices as well.
It turns out that these spices can be used as chemopreventive agents, which will help
in your battle against cancer.
If you need any more proof, here it is.
Another study showed that people who ate chilli peppers on the regular had an 8% lower risk
of cancer.
Furthermore, capsaicin is shown to work well with other anticancer substances.
May Cause Indigestion Yes, spice also has some negative effects
on your health.
While it may not cause ulcers, too much spice can still worsen acid reflux, indigestion
and heartburn.
Spicy foods can cause the little circular muscle that divides your esophagus from your
stomach pouch to remain open when it should be closed.
This can result in something called gastrointestinal tract reflux.
Spicy foods can also irritate tissue in the digestive tract.
Furthermore, some evidence suggests that eating spicy foods several times a week may aggravate
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Whether you have IBS, Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or acid reflux,
spicy foods can aggravate your symptoms by irritating the stomach lining.
If you feel yourself getting indigestion, eat less spicy food.
It may go away after a while.
Let’s get back to the positives of spice.
Weight Loss Calling all fitness freaks!
If you're trying to lose weight, here's some good news...
Spicy food can actually help you.
Spicy foods are not only able to suppress your hunger, they can also increase your energy.
This will assist you with your workout.
So, how exactly can you lose weight with spice?
Well, this again happens with the help of capsaicin.
Capsaicin can improve the metabolism in obese people.
According to a study, when participants took capsaicin supplements before eating, they
consumed 74 less calories during their meal.
Another study discovered that ingesting capsaicin resulted in an extra 50 calories burned each
day.
If they kept doing this on the regular, it could result in some pretty significant weight
loss after a couple years.
Capsaicin and other chemicals found in chilli peppers have been shown to promote fat oxidation.
If you stick to a balanced diet and exercise plan, spicy food can give your body the extra
push it needs to lose weight.
Spice isn’t for everybody, but at least there are incredible benefits for those who
enjoy them.
Have I sparked your interest?
Let’s keep the conversation going with a couple more spice-related videos, shall we?
Here’s what you need to know.
Check out the 5 hidden health benefits of spicy foods.
Or how about 7 herbs & spices with the most powerful health benefits?
Go ahead, click one.
Or better yet, watch both, and learn how hot and spicy snacks can help your body.
Are you into spice?
Would you consider eating more after watching this video?
Let us know in the comments below!