Turning up the heat in the kitchen or at your favorite restaurant can be a wonderful eating experience. Spicy foods can definitely amp up the flavors of your food. On the other hand, these foods can also have an impact on your body.
Here are the pros and cons of eating spicy food to consider.
List of the Pros of Eating Spicy Food
1. It helps you to fight off a cold.
Spicy foods are often high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. That means your immune system gets a boost it may need to fight off an ailment. Some foods, like spicy peppers, also have an anti-bacterial property to them, giving you another germ-fighting benefits.
2. It speeds up your metabolism.
When you eat spicy foods, you’re eating more capsaicin, which can increase your body temperature and your heart rate. That makes it easier for your body to handle the calories you are consuming. Capsaicin also has anti-inflammatory properties.
3. It strengthens the libido.
Eating spicy foods may act as an aphrodisiac for some people. That means you might just find some extra spice headed your way later in the evening.
List of the Cons of Eating Spicy Food
1. It can worsen issues with acid reflux.
Spicy foods are not usually the cause of a stomach ulcer or heartburn. When you eat spicy foods, it will make issues with acid reflux become worse. You can prevent some of this by eating some yogurt or sour cream with something spicy.
2. It may trigger diarrhea.
Eating spicy foods creates irritation within your digestive tract. That makes things move faster through your intestines, creating an effect that is similar to a laxative.
3. It can dull the sensitivity of your taste buds.
Having some spice on your tongue every now and then can enhance the flavor of foods. If you eat spicy foods all the time, however, you’ll find that your taste buds can become desensitized. That makes it more difficult to enjoy other foods.
4. It can be a skin irritant.
Many spicy foods can be a severe skin irritant. That is why these foods require people to wear gloves while being prepared.
The pros and cons of eating spicy foods encourage moderation. Eat them occasionally to experience the benefits, while reducing your risks of experience the negatives.