Spicy foods don’t just satisfy our tastebuds – they also come with numerous health advantages. Capsaicin, which gives chilli peppers their distinct flavour, stimulates…
Spicy foods don’t just satisfy our tastebuds – they also come with numerous health advantages. Capsaicin, which gives chilli peppers their distinct flavour, stimulates cells of your digestive tract to produce digestive fluids which aid digestion of food and relieve diarrhea symptoms. In addition, capsaicin also has anti-inflammatory properties and may kill certain bacteria.
Capsaicin levels vary with the heat of a chili pepper; smaller peppers tend to produce more. Different varieties also produce different levels; for instance, green chiles typically produce less capsaicin than their red counterparts.
Capsaicin works by binding to pain receptors in your mouth, producing that burning sensation when eating spicy food. But its effects extend further; not just your mouth is affected but your nose, throat, eyes as well.
Milk, yoghurt or ice cream can provide relief after eating something spicy by providing protein casein that clings to oily capsaicin molecules and washes them away like soap does.
Eat citrus fruit or drink beverages containing sugar to cool yourself down effectively, such as citrus fruit’s acidity helping neutralise capsaicin, while sugar activates our sweet taste receptors, disorienting your tongue’s response to heat. For extra cooling effects, use sprays or gels containing aloe vera for soothing and rehydrating effects on skin.
Capsaicin acts as a natural deterrent against mammal predators such as rodents, and scientists speculate that its purpose may have been to shield seeds from being digested and destroyed in digestion. Furthermore, Capsaicin also has antimicrobial properties and can kill disease-causing bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, E. coli Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio cholerae
Sizzling chilli heat may be difficult to bear, but its remarkable health benefits make it worth while. Not only are spicy foods an essential element in many cuisines; they may also boost metabolism and help people with weight issues lose weight by exercising regularly and eating healthily. To learn more about chilli’s world visit us at Gardeners’ World Live 2022!