Sichuan cuisine is one of the eight major culinary traditions of China and is deeply loved by foodies across the country, which is why Sichuan restaurants can be found everywhere. Many of my friends love the numbing and spicy flavor, however, the salty, fragrant, numbing, and spicy dishes of Sichuan cuisine can be too intense for some people and are not good for their health. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sichuan cuisine was not served in the Olympic Village.
International culinary master Qu Hao also believes that the local environment shapes the people. Traditional Sichuan cuisine is too heavy in flavor, oil, and salt, and leans heavily on the numbing and spicy. Due to its regional climate, Sichuan has high humidity, so eating more Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers to remove dampness is very beneficial for the body. However, Beijing's climate is relatively dry, and consuming too much numbing and spicy food is also detrimental to health.
Another expert also said that the current impression of Sichuan cuisine is that it's numbing and spicy, fiery, and greasy. It has to be admitted that the popularity of dishes like Malatang (numbing and spicy hot pot) is only temporary. The future trend for the general public's diet is light and healthy.
Professor Yang Li, a leading expert in TCM health preservation and from the Graduate School of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (Xiyuan Hospital), stated that modern diets should also avoid being too greasy and spicy. Because chili peppers are highly irritating, they can easily cause symptoms like dry mouth, cough, sore throat, and constipation. The final result is often that while the taste buds are satisfied, the stomach and intestines suffer. Furthermore, many modern "rich man's diseases" are caused by a high intake of fat, and part of the reason for this may be attributed to the greasy and spicy nature of Sichuan cuisine.
Of course, when people mention Sichuan cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is the numbing and spicy flavor. In fact, this is a misconception in the public's perception.