Is spicy food good for you? Why increasing heat can provide some significant health benefits

Think about the spiciest food you’ve ever put in your mouth—maybe you’ve had some slightly spicy enchiladas or fajitas, or perhaps you’ve enjoyed phaal curry (also known as the spiciest meal on Earth). land). Now think about taste. It’s hard to describe, isn’t it? But even if you like spice, you probably also think it’s unpleasant. And that’s because when we eat food that is too spicy, it actually causes a burning sensation in the mouth. It is not sweet, salty, bitter, sour or umami (the five main tastes our tongue can perceive), but pain.

We hear you. Pain doesn’t seem like something we should inflict on ourselves. But actually, in the case of spicy food, a little pain can be a good thing. In fact, it can produce endorphins for some people, but not necessarily for everyone, which explains why many people do it. Are not like to eat spicy food but many other people do. Spicy foods may also have some health benefits, making that strangely pleasant yet painful feeling all the more worth it. Spice lovers, here’s what you need to know. Also, hot sauce and pepper recommendations. Turn up the heat.

Is spicy food good for you?

Spicy foods are linked to several health benefits, and that may be due to a chemical called capsaicin. Essentially, this is the active ingredient of chili peppers that is responsible for bringing heat. When our mouth detects capsaicin, it begins the fight or flight process and the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline. When your body reacts to the feeling of heat, you start to sweat, your face turns red, your heart rate increases, and your nose gets runny, you know.

And for some people, the body But also releases endorphins, just like when you exercise, creating a natural feeling of euphoria. Humans probably enjoy this for the thrill, a report by BBC—it’s the same reason why we jump on roller coasters.

In addition to adrenaline, capsaicin has also been linked to a number of significant health benefits. In 2020, an American Heart Association study linked chili pepper consumption to a lower risk of death from heart disease and cancer.

“We were surprised to see that in previously published studies, regular consumption of chili peppers was associated with a reduced overall risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality. It highlights that dietary factors may play an important role in overall health,” said senior author Bo Xu, MD, a cardiologist at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute of Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH, said in a statement. However, he added that more research is still needed.

“However, the exact reasons and mechanisms that could explain our findings are currently unknown,” Xu noted. “Therefore, it cannot be conclusively concluded that eating a lot of chili can prolong life and reduce mortality, especially due to cardiovascular factors or cancer. More research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.”

But capsaicin is only one component of chili peppers. They also contain nutrients, such as vitamin C, B vitamins, copper, potassium and vitamin A.

The hottest sauces and chili peppers to try

If you want to bring the heat to your cooking or want to experiment with spices, here are some of the best sauces and hot peppers to try next. Pro tip: if you’re not used to hot temperatures, have a glass of cold oat milk on hand to cool your mouth while you eat (not water, as this will only make the spicy taste worse!). After you read this list, find all of our best spicy vegan recipes here!

Tabasco

first Tabasco

One of Louisiana’s most iconic inventions, Tabasco pepper sauce is filled with spices and an iconic, spicy flavor. It scores about 3,500 on the Scoville Scale (a tool that measures hot peppers up to about 2,200,000), meaning it has a kick but is still on the milder side when compared to other spices.
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2 Louisiana Hot Sauce

Made with aged chiles, distilled vinegar, and salt, this Louisiana Hot Sauce is a great way to add a little heat to your favorite meals. The simple, tried-and-tested recipe has been around since the 1920s and remains a staple in kitchens across the United States. It’s quite mild so it’s great for those who aren’t used to spices, reaching only 450 on the Scoville Scale.
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3 Cholula

Prepared in Mexico, the home of many spicy dishes, Cholula hot sauce is said to be based on a century-old family recipe. The brand says it features both arbol and piquin peppers, both native to Mexico, along with “an array of regional spices.” At 3,600 Scoville units, Cholula certainly packs quite a punch compared to Louisiana Hot Sauce, for example, but it won’t knock your socks off in terms of heat.
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4 Frank’s RedHot

The recipe for Frank’s RedHot sauce was perfected in 1918, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that it was first combined with buffalo wings. Now, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better combination (obviously the wings have to be vegan). If you like things light, Original Frank’s RedHot clocks in at just 450 Scoville units. But don’t worry if you like your food a little spicier, as its Xtra Hot variety costs around 2,000.
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5 Carolina Reaper chili powder

Are you feeling brave? Carolina Reaper is the hottest chili in the world. It’s sweet, fruity, and at 2.2 million Scovilles (no joke), it is serious intense. Only try a little of this powder if you *really* like spice, and use it sparingly because it will ruin your socks.
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6 Espelette pepper powder

With a value of about 4,000 on the Scoville scale, the Espelette pepper, grown in Espelette in France (and this region only—nowhere else), is nothing like the Carolina Reaper for spice, but it is delicious and sweet, At the same time, it still brings a delicious feeling. perform a gentle, pleasant kick.
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7 Chile de arbol dry

These small, deep red Mexican peppers, always sold dried, can be added to a variety of dishes to add flavor and just the right amount of heat. On the Scoville Scale, they measure between 15,000 and 30,000, so there can be some pretty serious heat when you’re cooking.
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8 Sliced ​​jalapeño peppers

Jalapeño is one of the most popular peppers in America and arguably one of the best pizza toppings, especially when combined with vegan pepperoni. It’s quite spicy, and depending on the type you buy, these common chili peppers can reach up to 8,000 on the Scoville Scale (at their lowest, they’re usually around 2,000).
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9 Ghost chili powder

Adding some of this ghost chili powder to your curry or sauce will add some serious heat, so use sparingly and with caution. Known as Bhut Jolokia, this is one of the hottest peppers in the world (seriously, it’s about 170 times hotter than Tabasco and has a weight of about 1 million Scoville units). However, this is a popular choice with spice lovers, so don’t be shy if you love spicy dishes.
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