Indian cuisine is full of spicy foods. Be it gol gappe or rajma chawal, Indians rarely compromise on the spicy content. In fact, most of the times the food is rendered as bland if the spice level is lower than the normal, which is usually a lot compared to basic standards.
The human body reacts to spicy food distinctly. People get watery eyes, nose, sensation in the tongue and redness of the ears. But there is good and bad news if you love eating spicy foods. Here, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of eating spicy foods.
Benefits of having spicy foodsSpices have anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory foods are great in treating health conditions such as headache, autoimmune disease, arthritis and nausea.
Can help prevent cancer
As per studies, spicy foods can act upon cancer cells and can eliminate them or constrict their growth. It can prevent or slow down the growth of cancer cells, thereby reducing the aggravation of cancer.
Fights infection
Spices are rich in antioxidants, have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This can help in warding off the infections in the body by eliminating the disease-causing elements.
Can increase your lifespanAs per a study by the Harvard and China National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, regular consumption of spices can help people live longer.
Improves metabolism
The presence of antioxidants in spices can boost the body's metabolism, which can help in weight management.
Risks associated with spicy food
Different people have a different level of spice tolerance. Spicy foods can aggravate already existing digestion issues. It can harm the taste buds as people developing taste for spicy food may find other things bland. Thus, it is always advised to have spicy food in moderation.
—Times of India