There are many myths in nutrition and the more non-standard a food is, the more contradictory the ideas surrounding it are. When it comes to unusual taste qualities, spicy foods hold the championship.
Opinions about them vary almost to the extreme - some deny them, pointing out the dangerous consequences of their consumption in certain health conditions, others consider them useful for the way the digestive system works, as well as other benefits for the body.
We'll leave the debate over whether or not they're harmful and just focus on the benefits of spicy food. What does it give to our body, what needs does it satisfy?
Oddly enough, spicy food extends life. Regular consumption of spicy food for 7 years was found to extend life by 14 percent. The risk of death decreases by 10 percent if spicy food enters the menu twice a week.
Eating spicy foods and ones rich in spicy spices boost the metabolism, through the ingredient capsaicin it helps burn more fat and so in no time you can some extra weight.
The main ingredient, capsaicin, has another unexpected benefit for some people who have a low pain threshold. It targets the substance in the brain that is responsible for feeling pain and tricks it into ignoring the painful sensation.
Spicy spices in food are rich in antioxidants. They also enter the body and support the body in the fight against viral infections. Spicy food helps the immune system to deal with the infection faster if the flu virus or colds have successfully attacked us.
Spicy food reduces sweetness cravings and cutting back on sugar is good for our health.
Spicy cuisine has stronger anti-inflammatory properties. In countries where this type of food is widely consumed, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are less common, thanks to the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of spicy foods.
