Do you know that spicy food can bring many benefits to our health? The next time your tongue burns, think positive: There are at least seven reasons it’s worth it.
The belief that pungent is simply an irritant that harms the digestive system and does not provide much nutrition is deeply rooted but, used in moderation, can have a positive effect.
Why does our food itch?
Spicy, more than taste, is a sensation that is felt through nociceptors (pain receptor nerve endings) when we eat food rich in chemical compounds, including those present in foods such as capsaicin, piperine or allicin peppers.
When a food stimulates the capsaicin receptor, signals are sent to the brain resulting in burning and itching in the oral mucosa. This feeling may not be the most pleasant, but at the same time there is an increase in the production of endorphins, the molecules responsible for the feeling of well-being.
Scoville Heat Units (SHU), or the number of Scoville units, is a standard scale for assessing the degree of spiciness of a food. It turned out that, while countries like Mexico tolerate chili peppers up to 20,000 SHU, Europeans suffer heartburn from foods of up to 5,000 SHU.
Benefits of eating spicy
Although, like everything, moderation is the key, you can enjoy a spicy dish and still enjoy its benefits:
1. Stimulates gastric secretion: Helps promote digestion.
2. It is antibacterial and antiseptic: It can help prevent respiratory diseases.
3. Exercises an Anti-Inflammatory Action at the Arterial Level and activates circulation, so it is good for treating high blood pressure.
4. It is a natural pain reliever. Its pain-relieving action is due to the fact that it “fools” the central nervous system by acting on pain receptors, it is even used in the treatment of rheumatic or neuralgia.
5. It is an energy metabolism activator. Nutritionists recommend eating spicy in moderation in the diet to lose weight. The Mexican Institute of Social Security mentions that chili consumption provides a high value of vitamins A and C and also has a positive effect on the intestinal microbiota associated with overweight and obesity.
6. A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology concluded that who eats chili —At least four times a week— are less prone to heart diseaseReduces chances of heart attack by up to 40%.
7. Spicy Food Helps Maintain Healthy Glucose Levels Because capsaicin acts as a natural regulator of blood sugar levels, preventing a sudden increase known as a “sugar rush”.
All these benefits are obtained in controlled amounts and from natural origins. Furthermore, the effects vary by type of sharpness and by individual.
Difference.
Before you get excited, you should know that even spicy foods have contraindications.
It is not a myth that pungency irritates the stomach. Excessive consumption can damage the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids, even in healthy people. In addition, some studies link long-term abuse of capsaicin to colon cancer.
If you suffer from gastroduodenal ulcer, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux, hemorrhoids or liver problems, it is best not to abuse spicy. It is also not recommended for children below 6 years of age, pregnant or lactating women.
