Eating spicy food may be a pastime for some, but can it benefit you? Learn about spicy food and your health – and how it can improve it.
Let’s start with some good news: according to research, certain spices like chili and turmeric can provide various health benefits. The following are five ways spicy food can boost your health.
1. Longevity
According to a 2015 study by Harvard and China National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spicy food increases longevity. To illustrate, eating it six or seven days a week may lower mortality rates by 14%. Moreover, you can experience even bigger benefits if you limit alcohol consumption.
2. Metabolism
Various studies indicate that eating spices like cinnamon, chilies, cumin, turmeric, and peppers can increase your metabolic resting rate. Furthermore, they can slow down your appetite and certain spices (like turmeric) may suppress fat tissue growth. However, the effect is mild, so you won’t lose weight from just eating spicy food.
3. Inflammation
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that may be able to reduce inflammation in the body. In addition to turmeric, ginger and garlic also have anti-inflammatory properties, according to Ayurvedic medicine. They have also used them to treat arthritis, autoimmune disorders, headaches, and nausea.
4. Cancer Cells
Chili peppers have an active component (capsaicin) that may slow down and destroy cancer cells. According to a UCLA study, capsaicin was able to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in mice. Moreover, they were able to do this while leaving the healthy cells unharmed.
5. Bacteria
Finally, certain spices may help kill bacteria. For example, cumin and turmeric have powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. As a result, they may be used to protect the body against harmful bacteria.
Things to Keep in Mind
While spicy food does have its benefits, it also comes with certain side effects. In fact, capsaicin may cause short-term symptoms such as pain, diarrhea, and vomiting if you consume too much. However, there is no permanent damage done to the intestinal lining.
While people previously thought that spicy foods could result in ulcers, current evidence shows that capsaicin can protect against ulcers. Furthermore, it can serve as a pain reliever when you apply it topically or ingest it. If you want to minimize the symptoms, it’s best that you start small and then gradually increase the amount.
Spicy Food and Your Health
If you enjoy eating spicy food, the good news is that it can provide a variety of health benefits. However, if you really want to improve your health, you can’t just rely on spicy foods alone. Make sure you have a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly to stay (or get into) tip-top shape.
In addition, you can try daily supplements like HeartBeet Complete to give your health an extra boost. Its ingredients (beetroot powder, turmeric, CoQ10, l-arginine, etc.) work together to promote your circulation and overall health. Try HeartBeet Complete along with your new spicy diet if you want to support your health effectively and safely.
