Fortunately (for those of us who love spicy foods!), adding spices to foods provides many health benefits! Officially, the jury is still out on any negative long-term reactions to spicy foods (which tells me, also a lover of spicy foods, that there may not be any negative consequences, as spicy foods have been used for centuries and in many cultures...it is well researched and many other foods have been found to be culprits to irritation, ulcers and other health problems...but not spicy foods!).
Peppers and other spices (notably: cumin, chili peppers, red pepper flakes and tumeric) have been shown to curb hunger, boost brainpower and improve mood, and add lots of flavor with little/no extra calories. Spices indirectly elevate endorphins in the body, a natural feel good chemical, and have been known to "wake up the senses"! I'm personally not into extreme sports...so maybe this is where I get my kicks..ha ha!
The negatives with eating spicy food are: mouth sores. The spicy foods won't "tear up" the throat (that comment implies a cumulative effect), but if a person, WHILE EATING THE SPICY FOOD, has any discomfort, then a mouth/canker sore could be a result of the food being too spicy. Mouth sores can also occur from drinking/eating an item that is too hot (temperature), contains caffeine, or from acidic foods and drinks (citrus).
Some people experience stomach burning or irritation when eating spicy foods, but people are sensitive to different types of foods...it may just be a personal thing that if your cousin does not have any adverse reactions to spicy foods...then she is tolerating them well. People's definitions of "spicy" are varied, just as are their tastes and preferences for certain foods.
Please note: from your post, I assume we're talking about mild to moderate hot peppers...as there are some extremely and truly hot peppers that can cause blistering of the lips and palate. Other hot peppers can cause skin irritation, so when cutting peppers, be sure to keep fingers out of eyes and wash your hands thoroughly.
The New York Times ran an article about spicy foods:
"...according to Dr. Arnold Levy, a gastroenterologist in Washington and vice president for education of the American Digestive Disease Society, ''Precious little data are available anywhere in any language on the effects of hot, spicy foods on the digestive tract.''
Dr. Levy said: ''Caffeine and alcohol are gastric irritants; citrus fruits are acidic and can irritate the lower esophagus and add to stomach acid; chocolate, mint, nicotine, alcohol and fatty foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle between the esophagus and stomach, and cause heartburn, but there just aren't any data on hot, spicy foods.''
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Interesting question!
Fortunately (for those of us who love spicy foods!), adding spices to foods provides many health benefits! Officially, the jury is still out on any negative long-term reactions to spicy foods (which tells me, also a lover of spicy foods, that there may not be any negative consequences, as spicy foods have been used for centuries and in many cultures...it is well researched and many other foods have been found to be culprits to irritation, ulcers and other health problems...but not spicy foods!).
Peppers and other spices (notably: cumin, chili peppers, red pepper flakes and tumeric) have been shown to curb hunger, boost brainpower and improve mood, and add lots of flavor with little/no extra calories. Spices indirectly elevate endorphins in the body, a natural feel good chemical, and have been known to "wake up the senses"! I'm personally not into extreme sports...so maybe this is where I get my kicks..ha ha!
The negatives with eating spicy food are: mouth sores. The spicy foods won't "tear up" the throat (that comment implies a cumulative effect), but if a person, WHILE EATING THE SPICY FOOD, has any discomfort, then a mouth/canker sore could be a result of the food being too spicy. Mouth sores can also occur from drinking/eating an item that is too hot (temperature), contains caffeine, or from acidic foods and drinks (citrus).
Some people experience stomach burning or irritation when eating spicy foods, but people are sensitive to different types of foods...it may just be a personal thing that if your cousin does not have any adverse reactions to spicy foods...then she is tolerating them well. People's definitions of "spicy" are varied, just as are their tastes and preferences for certain foods.
Please note: from your post, I assume we're talking about mild to moderate hot peppers...as there are some extremely and truly hot peppers that can cause blistering of the lips and palate. Other hot peppers can cause skin irritation, so when cutting peppers, be sure to keep fingers out of eyes and wash your hands thoroughly.
The New York Times ran an article about spicy foods:
"...according to Dr. Arnold Levy, a gastroenterologist in Washington and vice president for education of the American Digestive Disease Society, ''Precious little data are available anywhere in any language on the effects of hot, spicy foods on the digestive tract.''
Dr. Levy said: ''Caffeine and alcohol are gastric irritants; citrus fruits are acidic and can irritate the lower esophagus and add to stomach acid; chocolate, mint, nicotine, alcohol and fatty foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle between the esophagus and stomach, and cause heartburn, but there just aren't any data on hot, spicy foods.''
Hope this information helps!
February 1, 2009 - 2:58pmThis Comment
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