Chili is a common seasoning in life. For those who like spicy food, without chili, food has no soul. And for those who don’t like chili, if you try a little, your throat will burn and you will sweat… So how about eating spicy food? Let’s learn more about it together.

The so-called “spicy” is actually a pain felt by the tongue, not a taste. The capsaicin in chili will activate pain receptors in the mouth and throat, and this signal will be transmitted to our brain through neurotransmission, and the brain will release endorphins. Endorphin is also known as the “pleasure hormone”, which can create a feeling similar to happiness in the human body while eliminating pain on the tongue. And we mistake this pleasure for the spiciness itself, so the spicier it is, the more addictive it is.

Is it good to eat spicy food? What benefits does it bring to our body?

1. Rich nutrition

As a vegetable, pepper is rich in vitamin C and β-carrot, which has the effect of anti-oxidation and lowering blood fat. In addition to supplementing the nutrients needed by the human body and enhancing the body’s resistance, it can also delay aging. In addition, minerals such as calcium and iron are also abundant in peppers.

2. Promote blood circulation and appetizer

Pepper has a stimulating effect on the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, can enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis, promote the secretion of digestive juice, and achieve the effect of appetizing. And can inhibit abnormal fermentation in the intestine, promote the regeneration of gastric mucosa, and maintain the function of gastrointestinal cells. Therefore, the more some people eat, the rosier their skin becomes.

3. Heat dissipation and dampness removal

Pepper is pungent in taste and hot in nature. It has the effects of warming the middle and invigorating the stomach, dispelling cold and dampness, and sweating. Therefore, people often use it to treat cold stagnation, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, chilblain, scabies, etc. Putting some peppers in the main dish can prevent diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic low back pain, cold, and frostbite caused by dampness and cold.

4. Relieve pain

The capsaicin in chili can bind to the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 of our sensory neurons (referred to as small receptors) to promote the release of the neurotransmitter substance P, and the depletion of substance P and other neurotransmitters can help us relieve stress. Or eliminate the transmission of pain stimuli to the central nervous system, thereby relieving chronic pain symptoms.

5. Protect the heart

Capsaicin inhibits the activity of a gene that causes arteries to constrict. By inhibiting the activity of this gene, the muscles are able to relax and expand, which in turn increases blood volume and improves blood circulation. In addition, regular consumption of chili can lower blood lipids, reduce thrombus formation, and have a certain preventive effect on cardiovascular system diseases.

6. Make people happy

As mentioned above, capsaicin activates “pain receptors” in the mouth, which in turn send a signal to the brain to secrete a feel-good chemical. This substance can not only alleviate the stimulation brought by spicy taste but also effectively improve people’s mood and make people feel happy.

However, although chili has health effects, it is an irritating food after all. How much you eat is appropriate, which is related to yourself and the environment you live in.

At the same time, these people should not often eat chili

1. Kidney disease patients: Capsaicin is excreted through the kidneys, which can damage renal parenchymal cells, and can cause changes in renal function or even failure in severe cases.
2. Patients with hyperthyroidism: These patients have a fast heart rate, and the heart rate will be faster after eating, which will worsen the condition.
3. People with oral ulcers: The patient’s mouth is sensitive to salty, spicy, sour, bitter, and other tastes, and eating chili will aggravate the pain.
4. People who take traditional Chinese medicine: Consumption of capsaicin will affect the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, so spicy food should have fasted while taking traditional Chinese medicine.
5. Patients with gastrointestinal diseases: People with poor gastrointestinal function eat chili, which will cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
6. Patients with hemorrhoids and anal fissures: Eating a large amount of chili in such patients will stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, aggravate the pain of hemorrhoids and anal fissures, and even cause bleeding and other symptoms.
7. Patients with chronic cholecystitis: Pepper can stimulate gastric acid secretion, which can easily cause gallbladder contraction and induce biliary colic.
8. Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: capsaicin will increase the circulating blood volume and heartbeat rapidly. If taken in large quantities in a short period of time, it may cause acute heart failure or even sudden death.
9. Patients with pink eye disease and keratitis: Pepper will dilate and congest the blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in a decrease in eye resistance and easy infection of eye diseases.
10. In addition, children, the elderly, and pregnant women should eat spicy food in moderation because their bodies are relatively fragile.

Varies from time to time, eat peppers in moderation according to the season

In summer and autumn, people lose a lot of water, are prone to dryness and heat, and the body is more likely to get angry, so the amount of chili should be reduced. In addition, fresher peppers are required, and the cooking method should not be too “hot”. In early spring and winter, the weather is cold, so the amount of spicy food can be appropriately increased.

The above is the explanation of “Is it okay to eat spicy food?” After reading it, everyone should understand it. Although this food is good, don’t be greedy!