If you love hot, spicy food as much as I do, this blog is for you!
Over the years, research has shown that many different spices can support and improve your health. Here are just a few:
- Cinnamon – Has been found to potentially boost metabolism, help regulate blood sugar and reduce triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- Mustard- Has been found to boost metabolism.
- Ginger – Is anti-inflammatory, supports intestinal health and may have metabolism boosting and appetite suppressing properties.
- Ginseng- Improves energy levels, boosts metabolism and might even improve sexual performance.
Foods that contain hot spices are especially health promoting and recent research shows us just how beneficial they can be.
In a study published this month, researchers monitored how often nearly 500,000 Chinese men and women ate spicy foods over a 4 year period and discovered that consuming them on an almost daily basis might just help people live longer.
The scientists first excluded participants with cancer, heart disease and stroke and the asked the remaining subjects to log their spicy food intake during the trial. They found that those who ate spicy foods 6 to 7 days per week had a 14% lower risk of death from all causes than those who ate spicy foods less than once per week.
This lowered risk of death makes perfect sense when you consider the many health benefits of chili peppers alone. Research suggests that eating capsaicin, the spicy chemical in chili peppers, is linked to:
- A lowered risk of tumor development
- A reduction in tumor size and growth (it is both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory)
- Weight loss (by making you feel more full, shrinking fatty tissues, fighting fat build-up in the body, lowering blood fat levels and boosting one’s metabolism)
- A relief in pain, burning sensations and itching when used topically.
Of course, for those whose digestive systems are more sensitive, adding hot spices to one’s diet could prove problematic and even painful.
However, if you can handle the extra bite in your food, it is a beneficial (and delicious) strategy to add to your healthy eating plan. But just a word of caution: eating spicy foods close to bedtime can produce indigestion and can interfere with one’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Sources:
“Consumption of spicy foods and total and cause specific mortality.” BMJ 2015;351:h3942
“Three Reasons You Should Eat More Spicy Food.” Sept 2014. www.mercola.com
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
