Author: Marko Balašević
Time for reading: ~3
minutes
Last Updated:
November 16, 2022
Over the years of forced food abstinence, spicy food in our country has acquired a negative reputation for its alleged ability to cause health problems - from gastritis to ulcers. Undoubtedly, too spicy food requires the skills of a professional fire eater, but in moderate variations it is not only not harmful, but even beneficial for health. Do not burn your stomach with a lot of spices
You probably have friends who can't stand spicy food and in restaurants add: "No pepper , please!" when ordering. Nevertheless, culinary industry experts claim that there are far fewer such people than fans of experimenting with spices . Asian and Latin American countries are great masters of baking dishes. Fortunately, now and in our cities you can try spicy dishes from different cuisines of the world or buy the necessary spices to prepare a small and edible volcano at home.
Over the years of forced food abstinence, spicy food in our country has acquired a negative reputation for its alleged ability to cause health problems - from gastritis to ulcers. Undoubtedly, too spicy food requires the skills of a professional fire eater, but in moderate variations it is not only not harmful, but even beneficial for health. It is not recommended to burn your stomach with a lot of spices, but a little chili and pepper mix is the right addition to the diet. Let's find out why.
Chili peppers contain the alkaloid capsaicin, which creates a burning taste. Scientists claim that the inhabitants of Latin America (for example, Mexico and Brazil), in whose diet there are many spices , are less vulnerable to some types of cancer than the population of Western countries. Studies have confirmed that capsaicin is able to kill cancer cells that have originated in the lungs, pancreas, and prostate glands, while not harming healthy organs.
An Australian study also found that chili peppers protect against cholesterol build-up and can reduce the need for insulin injections. What's more, capsaicin prevents excess stomach acid production, as a daily mini-dose of chili can actually reduce the risk of ulcers.
No one disputes whether hot spices help fight weight - this fact has long been proven. Jalapeños, habaneros, cayenne and other hot spices speed up the metabolism and stimulate the metabolism, which in turn causes the body to burn energy more efficiently and much faster. In addition, the addition of chili to the menu reduces the feeling of hunger between meals and serves as a good way to control stubborn weight.
Rich Indian curry (or Malaysian curry laksa soup - mmmm, deliciousness!) - is not just aromatic, but also extremely useful food, because the combination of various peppers , spices , chili and turmeric has a positive effect on blood circulation and helps with cardiovascular diseases. preventing the formation of blood clots and strengthening blood vessels. Moreover, turmeric, the base spice of the seasoning called curry, contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
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Yes, they can bring us to tears, but hot spices also help to get rid of a runny nose and nasal congestion. Because peppers like chilies raise body temperature, they can also relieve flu and fever symptoms, work as an expectorant, relieve bronchial aggravations and help with asthma. Scientists suggest that regular consumption of moderately spicy foods helps not only to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, but also to improve mood thanks to endorphins, which are released as a result of warming up the body.
The next time you feel that your mouth is literally on fire from a fiery curry ordered from an Indian restaurant, remember that this is a natural reaction of the body in an attempt to develop a tolerance. Practicing regularly, you will get used to spicy dishes . If your spiciness threshold is still low, ask to cook a light version for you, and when you cook yourself, add chili a little at a time, mixing with mild and neutral foods, for example, potatoes or roasted vegetables. And don't overdo it: an excess of hot spices can still lead to stomach problems. A little spiciness in invigorating dosages is a useful habit that will give you gourmet pleasure.