Spicy Food Helath Benefits

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Great news chili pepper fans! You’ve been right all along. Scientists now agree – the heath benefits of spicy foods extend beyond being a great way to clear your sinuses when you’re sick. In fact, the health benefits of spicy foods may be far beyond what anyone imagined.

Spicy Food Can Help Fight Cancer?

Recent studies have shown that, yes, one of the more surprising health benefits of spicy foods is its potential to help fight cancer. Capsaicin, the agent that makes chili peppers so hot, has been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells and even cause cancer cells to die off in come cases.

Spicy Food and the Brain

One of the other spicy food health benefits is the effect it may have on the human brain. Some research seems to indicate those at risk for degenerative brain or nervous system conditions may be less likely to develop those conditions if they have a lot of spicy food in their diet.

One study suggests spicy food may actually help Alzheimer’s patients retain a high quality cognitive function by ingesting curry. In fact, this study found those who regularly ate food with curry were 49% less likely to develop the cognitive function disabilities associated with Alzheimer’s than those who did not eat curry.

Spicy food has also been shown to help patients suffering from depression and help relieve the pain of migraines and even arthritis.

Spicy Food and Weight Loss

Because spicy food has been shown to speed up metabolism, curry and mustard seed as well as chili and cayenne peppers are great additions to any weight loss diet. With a higher metabolism the body process food faster and burns body fat more quickly.

Realistically Speaking

Of course, even with all the health benefits of spicy foods, all the chili pepper and curry in the world is no substitute for a nutritious diet and well rounded exercise routine. Eating spicy food alone will not keep you healthy, but it definitely won’t hurt.