A spicy food is something that is hot. It is a substance, such as chile peppers, mustard seeds, and turmeric that adds a zing to a dish.
Although the hot taste of a dish can be a healthy thing to indulge in, there are certain things to watch out for. Some spicy ingredients can cause diarrhea and stomach pain. The high levels of salt in hot sauces can be problematic.
Spicy foods also raise your internal temperature. This causes sweating. When sweat evaporates, the body cools down.
Studies have shown that spicy foods can help improve heart health. They can also burn calories. And some studies have shown that spicy food may reduce the risk of cancer.
One of the active compounds in chili peppers is capsaicin. Capsaicin can reduce inflammation. It can also stimulate the body to break down fat.
Spicy foods can also trigger the release of endorphins, a hormone that makes you feel good. In some people, it can also increase dopamine, another feel-good hormone.
Spicy foods can trigger symptoms in some people with inflammatory bowel disease. Other digestive disorders, such as dyspepsia, may also be aggravated by spicy foods.
Spicy foods also may affect the populations of bacteria and microbes in your gut. Some research has linked the number of friendly bacteria in your gut with your risk of various diseases.
For example, some studies have found that eating spicy foods may decrease the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome. Also, if you have been diagnosed with ulcers, you should avoid spicy food.
