Spice is Nice: Hot Food Can Boost Your Health

Research from the past few decades has shown that capsaicinoids in spicy meals confer many health advantages. According to numerous studies, spices, including cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and chili peppers, might boost metabolism and reduce appetite.

Apart from the chemical capsaicin, cayenne pepper also contains other beneficial elements. Using cayenne and other hot peppers in your diet can be healthy because they are packed with numerous nutrients. Cayenne peppers are particularly abundant in provitamin A carotenoids and vitamin C. Besides vitamin C, hot peppers also contain potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin K.

Furthermore, due to capsaicin’s oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, researchers believe that hot peppers can also offer protection from cardiovascular diseases. According to some research, capsaicin is particularly beneficial for blood vessel function. In a 2017 study, it was found that giving participants cayenne pepper to add to their soup would lessen their urge to add more salt. They had reduced hunger after adding this spice to their soup, and they felt satiated an hour later.

Wasabi is a common Japanese seasoning for sushi, and it is best known for its harsh, pungent flavor and vivid green hue. Some research has found that wasabi extract is effective against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, two prevalent bacteria that are known to cause food poisoning. In addition to antibacterial characteristics, experiments in test tubes show that wasabi's ITCs and related chemicals are able to inhibit the growth of human colorectal, oral, pancreatic, and breast cancer cells.

Over the years, many clinical trials investigating the relationship between capsaicin and stomach ulcers have revealed that chilies are actually beneficial to the stomach. Due to its ability to lower acid secretion, support an alkaline gut environment, stimulate mucus secretions, and improve blood flow to the stomach lining, capsaicin is considered to have protective properties against ulcers.

Nonetheless, you might be wondering why some experience stomach pain after eating spicy meals if they don't cause ulcers. According to one study, eating hot foods frequently can cause pain in the upper gastrointestinal tract in people who already have chronic indigestion. Spicy meals can also exacerbate symptoms in those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Consuming hot foods in moderation will allow you to reap their health benefits while also enjoying their flavor without overstimulating your nervous system and resulting in temporary discomfort.