Spicy foods are widely known for the “kick” they offer to our meals. People love eating spicy foods, but they offer much more than just a “kick,” they also provide great health benefits. Hot spices can promote overall health and well-being; additionally, they can help fight cancer and can help increase weight loss. spicy foods are indeed full of hidden health benefits.
People have eaten spicy food for thousands of years. Most recently, remnants of garlic mustard seeds were found carbonized as food deposits on prehistoric pottery that dates back to 5300 BCE- 3950 BCE. The pottery originates from the Ertebölle culture, a hunter-gatherer culture from the Mesolithic period.
Additionally, flavors that give a burning or tingling sensation can indicate that a particular food may healthy. Bitterness, however, often represents a signal of toxicity.
The Scoville Scale is used to determine how hot certain foods are. Although the scale is subjective, it is generally accepted worldwide. Common bell peppers, banana peppers, pimentos, and pepperoncinis, have almost no heat. Jalapeno and Tabasco peppers have between 3,500 and 8,000 Scoville units, where Habaneros, Scotch Bonnets, and Jamaican hot peppers have between 100,000-350,000 of Scoville heat units. Scoville heat units are a measure of the spiciness of foods. It is based on the concentration of capsaicin in the food.
Here are some of the many benefits that spicy food can provide:
Fighting Cancer: Capsaicin and turmeric, both found in hot spicy foods can help fight cancer in addition to slowing it’s spread and growth. They have even been proven to have the same effects as certain cancer drugs. Capsaicin was found to kill 80% of prostate cancer cells in mice, blocking cancer cells, and leaving normal cells unharmed.However, further studies are needed on humans. Eating spicy foods as a treatment for cancer is not recommended. However, the cancer blocking and fighting characteristics of turmeric and capsaicin can benefit your overall health and wellbeing in a significant way.Spicy foods can help with cancer prevention, weight loss, and cardiovascular health. additionally, vitamins and minerals in fresh peppers and chilies provide excellent health benefits.
Spicy foods offer many benefits; it is recommended that you try to include hot peppers and turmeric in your diet at least 2 to 3 times a week.
Spicy foods aren’t for everyone. If you want the benefits they offer, but can’t tolerate the taste, you have a few options. You could try mixing the spice with yogurt or something that lines the stomach wall, or you may want to try taking a curcumin or capsaicin supplement. If eating them raw is a challenge, nutritionists have found that the spices still retain their health benefits if sauteed or cooked.
Spicy foods have amazing benefits. However, there is a period in people's lives when they should be avoided. Sufferers of many ailments such as Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, or various gastrointestinal diseases such as heartburn, ulcers, bowel disorders or hiatal hernias need to exert caution with certain spices. Although there is not a significant amount of data available for the harm that can be done, some people can experience severe stomach cramping of gastrointestinal burning when they eat spicy foods. People with chronic heartburn or ulcers are often more likely to experience symptoms of heartburn from spicy food. Refraining from eating them if your body reacts is usually wisest.
It is also highly recommended to avoid some spices during a period of cleansing or recovery as they can over stimulate the liver. When recovering from Adrenal Fatigue, or other organ or gland disruption you may want to avoid eating spicy foods. Instead it may be better to choose foods that provide a healthy stream of nutrients that your body can easily process.
Spicy foods also tend to heat the body. Although their benefits are being contributed to longevity in the parts of the world where they are a staple of people’s diet. It is important to understand that they can also cause harm those who are injured or not well adjusted to spices.. Acidity and heat are bad for the liver. Spicy foods tends to heat the body, it is very important to avoid these stressors when the body is under pressure.
There are some hot spices such as Turmeric that may not need to be avoided, and can actually make a world of difference for those with Adrenal Fatigue or health problems. Turmeric, known as the miracle spice, has a wide variety of health benefits. It can be a great part of a diet that can heal stress-induced damage, improve the immune system, decrease inflammation , and promote healthy liver function. With proper usage and guidance from a professional, turmeric can help a person reach their health and wellness goals.
If you have a craving or preference for spicy food, there are many countries that have hot spices as a staple of their diet. Spices can be found locally at grocery stores and restaurants. Unless you have medical reasons not to eat spicy foods, you may want to give them a try because of their amazing health benefits.
© Copyright 2018 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
Eating spicy foods have an extreme amount of benefits. However, one must be certain that the spice they choose to eat does indeed correlate with their symptoms. A spice like turmeric has indeed shown to be beneficial for those suffering from AFS.
