Surprising Health Benefits of Spicy Foods

It is no secret that many people have always loved to eat spicy foods. In fact, these zesty flavors have grown increasingly popular over the years. But did you know that aside from being amazingly delicious, spicy foods also bring a lot of good for your health and wellbeing? Here are some of the most remarkable benefits.

Accelerates Metabolism

If you have tried all methods you can think of to lose weight but to no avail, you might want to consider infusing some spicy foods into your diet. This is not to say that you will slim down overnight but studies have shown that spices like peppers, chilies, turmeric and cumin do speed up the metabolic process.

Fights Inflammation

Since ancient times, spicy foods have been instrumental in combating inflammation in the body. Garlic and ginger, for instance, are very popular remedies for arthritis, headaches and other conditions because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

Promotes Longevity

Several studies across Asia and Europe have revealed a strong link between longevity and the consumption of spicy foods. For instance, one study showed that eating spicy foods once a day reduced the chances of death by as much as 14%.

Prevents Depression

If you are feeling particularly down, you can ward off the blues by eating spicy foods. Capsaicin, which is a primary compound in spicy foods, functions pretty much like an endorphin that gives a general feeling of happiness and also reduces the risk for stress.

Aids Digestion

Aside from speeding up the metabolism as mentioned above, spicy foods also boost digestion through the increase of gastric fluids. This makes the process of digesting food faster while also preventing diarrhea.

Helps Prevent Cancer

Capsaicin is also an antioxidant, which means it can protect the body from cancer-causing free radicals. Further, a promising study by UCLA has demonstrated how capsaicin can stop the spreading of cancer cells in mice without harming the healthy cells.

Now if you want to enjoy these health benefits, you can start by checking out the spicy food festivals in Toronto this summer, like the Spicy Bites food festival. Sample the featured hot and spicy dishes that are not only delectable but loaded with amazing health benefits as well!