In many regions of our country, there are friends who love spicy food. In fact, eating spicy food has many benefits. Some of these benefits might even be unexpected to you. However, the editor would like to remind everyone that there are many precautions to be aware of when eating spicy food. Regarding this, some people ask: What are the benefits of eating spicy food? Who should not eat spicy food? Next, we will introduce them one by one for your reference.
The benefits of eating spicy food in moderation
1. Stimulates appetite and aids digestion
Chili peppers can promote the secretion of digestive fluids and increase appetite.
2. Lowers fat and aids in weight loss
Capsaicin can accelerate fat breakdown, and the rich dietary fiber also has a certain effect on lowering blood lipids.
3. Warms the stomach and dispels cold
The "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that chili peppers can warm the spleen and stomach. If you experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain due to cold, you can eat some chili peppers appropriately.
4. Beautifies the skin
Chili peppers can promote the secretion of hormones in the body and improve skin condition. Many people think that eating spicy food causes acne, but it's not actually the chili's fault. Only for those who are prone to acne, eating spicy food can make the situation worse.
5. Promotes blood circulation
Chili peppers have certain medicinal properties and can thus "expel wind, induce sweating, resolve phlegm, and remove dampness." In modern medical terms, this means they can promote blood circulation and improve conditions such as cold intolerance, frostbite, and vascular headaches.
6. Fights cancer
Capsaicin can accelerate the death of cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.
7. Protects the heart
Regular consumption of chili peppers can effectively delay the development of atherosclerosis.
The benefits of eating spicy food in moderation Who should not eat spicy food There are several types of people who should not eat spicy food
8. Lowers blood pressure
The latest animal experiments in the UK have found that capsaicin can lower blood pressure, but the specific mechanism is not yet fully understood.
9. Relieves pain and reduces fever
Chili peppers are warm-natured and can lower body temperature through sweating and relieve muscle pain, thus having a strong antipyretic and analgesic effect. American research has found that capsaicin can reduce neurotransmitters that transmit pain, making a person's perception of pain weaker.
10. Beneficial for diabetes
For certain symptoms of type 1 diabetes, capsaicin can help alleviate them.
9 types of people who should not eat spicy food
1. Those taking traditional Chinese medicine
Eating capsaicin can affect the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, so one should avoid spicy food while taking it.
2. Patients with hemorrhoids
Chili peppers are too irritating. People with hemorrhoids are prone to congestion and edema of the hemorrhoidal veins after eating them, which can further worsen the condition and lead to perianal abscesses. Additionally, chili peppers can worsen constipation, making hemorrhoids more severe.
3. Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
The capsaicin in spicy food ingredients can cause a sharp increase in circulating blood volume, a faster heartbeat, and tachycardia. A large amount consumed in a short period can lead to acute heart failure or even sudden death.
The benefits of eating spicy food in moderation Who should not eat spicy food There are several types of people who should not eat spicy food
4. Patients with kidney disease
The capsaicin in spicy food ingredients is excreted through the kidneys, which can damage renal parenchymal cells. In severe cases, it can lead to changes in kidney function and even renal failure.
5. Patients with hyperthyroidism
Due to their inherently fast heart rate, eating spicy food will further accelerate the heartbeat, making the symptoms more pronounced.
6. Pregnant and postpartum women
This group may experience "heatiness" symptoms such as mouth sores and dry stools after consuming spicy food. It can also cause illness in the nursing infant.
7. Patients with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, or esophagitis
Due to the irritation of capsaicin, the mucosa can become congested, edematous, and eroded. Gastrointestinal motility increases sharply, causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc., and also affects the recovery of digestive function.
8. Patients with conjunctivitis or keratitis
Patients with symptoms like conjunctivitis or keratitis should strictly avoid chili peppers during their illness. Spicy and heating ingredients like chili peppers can dilate and congest blood vessels in the eyes, reducing resistance and even worsening the condition.
9. Patients with chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, or chronic pancreatitis
Due to the irritation of capsaicin, gastric acid secretion increases. Excess gastric acid can cause gallbladder contraction and spasm of the sphincter of the bile duct, making it difficult for bile to be excreted, thus inducing cholecystitis, biliary colic, and pancreatitis.