The 10 Greatest Health Benefits of Spicy Food
The health benefits of spicy food have been discussed many times, but it’s for a good reason! Chili peppers contain all kinds of good stuff, from beta-carotene (for red chili peppers) to vitamin C. They also contain Capsaicin, which is the chemical that gives them their heat, and this chemical is known to give a variety of benefits of eating spicy food. It has been found that people who live in countries where spicy food is consumed on a regular basis have much fewer health problems overall. Here are the ten main health benefits of spicy food:
1) Weight loss. The Capsaicin contained in chili peppers increases your heart rate, which, in turn, speeds up your metabolism. This means that your body will be burning calories at a faster rate.
2) Improved circulation and heart. More benefits of spicy food include reducing blood pressure and improving blood circulation. When you eat food that is spicy, your temperature rises, which increases the flow of blood through your circulatory system. As it increases your heart rate as well, it becomes easier for your body to dissolve any blood clots.
3) Improved digestion. This the next of our benefits of eating spicy foods, because what chili peppers do in your stomach is increase hydrochloric secretion. In the end this increases the mucus lining and the flow of blood to the stomach.
4) Reduction in cancer risk. A number of studies have demonstrated that those who consume spicy foods on a regular basis are at a lower risk of getting cancer. This is because the capsaicin contained in chilies slows down the cancer cell growth, and sometimes it even kills off cancer cells altogether, without any damage to surrounding cells.
5) Improved acne. One of the unexpected benefits of spicy food is that it helps reduce acne. This is especially true if the acne is really bad.
6) Reduced cholesterol. Chili peppers also decrease the LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your body and fight inflammation – all of which are risk factors for heart disease, a variety of other problems.
7) Improved sleep. Some research confirms that people who eat spicy food on a regular basis tend to fall asleep more easily. These people were also found to wake up more easily and have more energy in the morning.
8) Cold and flu relief. Eating spicy food makes you sweat, which, in the long run tends to relief the discomfort caused by colds and flu.
9) Improved breathing. Chili peppers can help clear blocked up nasal passages. Because they act as an expectorant, chili peppers can also help improve things like chronic bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, emphysema, and other respiratory conditions.
10) Improved mood. Chili peppers have been shown to increase levels of serotonin and endorphins in your brain, which are responsible for making you feel happy and at ease. Spicy food, in turn, is a powerful stress reliever!
For more information, go to:
http://www.spicyfoodrecipes.com/
The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.
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 Nutritious Food 12 Apr 2011 |
