A lot of great-tasting foods are loaded with spices. Spicy foods are global favorites to many; its popularity can be attributed to a compound known as capsaicin, which offers several health benefits to the human body.
What are the best spices for you?
Some of the best spices that offer immense health benefits to the human body include the following:
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon are great spices for people who have high blood sugar; it reduces high blood cholesterol and the risk of developing heart disease.
- Turmeric: Turmeric is also a great spice that fights Inflammation. It is effective in pain reduction.
- Ginger: Ginger is effective in people seeking relief from nausea. It also calms stomach upset.
- Garlic: Garlic helps to boosts heart health and also reduces cholesterol in the human body.
- Cayenne: This is a chili pepper that provides relief from pains related to arthritis
What are the health benefits of spices?
Eating spicy food is not only good for you, but it also offers several health benefits that include the following.
- A Healthier Heart: Studies have linked eating of spicy foods to a decrease in the incidence of stroke and heart attack. According to the studies, cultures that eat a lot of red chili peppers were found to have fewer heart and stroke cases. Researchers also believe that chili pepper reduces the amount of LDL in the body. (LDL is a type of cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease). In addition, spicy foods strengthen the cardiovascular system by expanding blood vessels and improving circulation.
- Weight Loss: Medication, inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, genetics, or age can lead to weight gain. Interestingly, spicy foods are believed to be capable of aiding weight loss. First off, you do not get to eat a lot when you are consuming spicy food. So you end up consuming fewer fats and low calories. Secondly, spicy foods boost metabolism. Capsaicin is known to decrease craving for food by increasing the feeling of satiety. It also increases body temperature and causes the body to burn excess calories. The reduction in the number of calories and fat intake leads to weight loss.
- Anti-Depressant: When you eat spicy foods, the capsaicin ingested boosts the production of endorphins (feel-good hormones) in response to the heat, which it mistakes for pain. These endorphins make you feel better and reduce the risk of depression or stress.
- Improved Digestive Tract: Spicy foods are also of great benefit to the digestive tract. They contain antioxidants and other compounds that soothe upset stomachs, reduce intestinal gas, and cure diarrhea. The capsaicin in the spicy foods stimulates the gastric juices and facilitates digestion. It also reduces the acidity in the digestive tract that causes ulcers. In addition, spicy foods are capable of increasing the production of saliva, and aids digestion by firing the gastric juices up.
- Prevents Cancer: Capsaicin contained in all spicy foods are rich in antioxidant and also have anti-inflammatory properties that fight the spread of free radicals (toxins), which causes cancer. Capsaicin inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells without harming healthy cells. The consumption of spicy foods has also been linked to the management of breast, pancreatic, and bladder cancers.
Conclusion
Finally, Spicy foods are not exactly elixirs, but they can make you a much healthier person. As listed above, spicy foods contain so many health benefits that are essential to the human body. However, while enjoying these types of food, it is vital to state that you do not have to go gung-ho on spicy foods, just a dash of spice here and there can do the magic.
