Hot sauce is not just for your food, the active ingredient capsaicin is also responsible for a number of other health benefits. The ancients have been using hot sauce to treat different ailments for centuries it is about time we caught up with the times. Here are some of the more common health benefits of spicy stuff.
It can help alleviate depression.
Hot food, after the burn subsides can actually raise your spirits. This is achieved in a couple simple ways. First, hot sauce causes the release of endorphins, the same as a runners high just without the exercise. Hot sauce also causes an increase in blood flow which can trigger a small amount of adrenaline to be released into the system. Both of these hormones lead to feelings of well being and alertness, reducing the symptoms of depression.
A natural antiseptic
Drug companies today are starting to use capsaicin as a natural alternative to many pain killers. This is one of the most widely researched areas of this particular field and many professionals believe that it has much promise.
Aiding the digestion
Many people with sensitive stomaches are afraid to eat hot food, much of this belief may be mental because studies have shown that capsaicin can actually aide in digestion. This works in a few ways. First, the hot food causes an increase in digestive juices in the stomach, this means that food is digested faster. Next, increased blood flow from the hot food causes nutrients to be carried away more quickly. And last, hot sauce causes an increase in the mucous lining of the stomach, which can actually help protect you from nasty stomach ulcers.
Clear the sinuses
Anyone who eats hot fool knows that the more you eat the more your nose runs. This can happen from a totally dry nasal passage so imagine what hot sauce can do for you if you are stuffed up. Pile on the hot stuff and eat until you are clear. A spicy drink can also do wonders in a stuffy situation.
Super bugs are threatening to end us all
Capsaicin offers a solution to antibacterial resistant super bugs. They don’t like hot stuff and adding hot sauce to food can actually lower the amount of active bacteria in food. This does not mean don’t wash your chilies it just mean eat more hot sauce.
Avoid weight gain
Last but not least, hot sauce can actually help you avoid putting on the extra pounds. Studies have shown that hot food can actually boost your metabolism as well as suppress your appetite. There is not enough of a boost to expect to loose a significant amount of weight but anything helps in our quest to stay lean.
Hot sauce is a great healthy addition to many foods, if you are not an addict yet, you should be.
Tags: Capsaicin, hat sauce, hot pepper, salsa