5 Surprising Health Reasons to Eat More Spicy Foods This Year

There is significant Support suggesting that when it comes to liking it spicy, the good far outweighs the bad. Apart from the nutritional aspect (chili peppers are high in vitamins A and C and are a good source of iron!), capsaicin, a chemical compound found in hot peppers, has anti-inflammatory properties and is promising as a natural therapeutic agent in various health issues.

Want to know more? Here are our top five reasons why we’ll be including more spicy foods into our diet this year and why we believe you should do the same! As a bonus, we’ve rounded up some of the best recipes with just the right amount of kick from the Food Monster App.

1. Prevent Cancer

Eating spicy food may ‘kill’ our taste buds temporarily, but it turns out that a good dose of chili peppers or other hot peppers has the power to kill cancer cells, too. In fact, in a study by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the positive effect of capsaicin was described as “making tumor cells commit suicide”. As a bioactive phytochemical, capsaicin found in hot peppers impacts cancer cells at multiple stages on a molecular level. Namely, the compound has the ability to target tumor-suppressing genes and has been shown to prevent metastasis.

That’s surely impressive! If you want to reap the amazing power of hot peppers, you have to try this Caribbean Callaloo Soup (pictured above), these Potato Stuffed Chili Peppers, these Poblano Chili Bowls, and this Spicy Black Pepper Tofu.

2. Aid in Weight Management

Eating spicy foods has a beneficial impact on our metabolism which may help us manage our weight. How? Well, capsaicin has been shown to play a role in regulating fat metabolism and adipose tissue distribution. The compound found in hot peppers helps us feel satiated while also increasing our energy expenditure — the literal heat wave we feel after eating something spicy. Because of its positive effects on calories burned and fat loss, capsaicin is actually being looked at as a potential anti-obesity drug. How amazing is that?

Need recipe ideas to feel the burn (and help you burn some calories)? Try out this flavorful Spicy Curry Laksa, pictured above. These Chipotle Lentil Taquitos, this Roasted Poblano Soup, these Portobello Adobo Burgers with a dash of this Trinidad Hot Pepper Sauce are also great options for a healthy dinner with a kick.

3. Protect Your Heart

Hot peppers get our blood pumping after we eat them so the fact that they’re good for our heart isn’t that surprising. Again, capsaicin, the ‘all-star’ phytochemical found in peppers is responsible for all the heart-healthy benefits of our favorite spicy meals. The compound works in two main ways to prevent cardiovascular disease — it reduces the accumulation of cholesterol in our bodies and increases the breakdown of existing cholesterol.

Some of our favorite heart-healthy recipes that bring just the right amount of heat include these Habanero Kale Chips, these Indian Spicy Sauteed Mushrooms, and this Spicy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta With Shiitake Bacon.

4. Lower Blood Pressure

Are you one of those people that can’t take the heat? Well, this piece of information might make you reconsider your avoidance of peppers. The pain we feel from eating spicy foods is part of the benefits it has on our blood pressure. By activating channels in our sensory nerves, capsaicin causes the release of neuropeptides which are responsible for the disagreeable burning sensation we feel. However, activation of these channels found in endothelial cells also creates a cascade of events on the cellular level that brings about a reduction in blood pressure levels.

Next time you get asked if you’d like it mild or spicy, be daring and go for the hotter option! Want to make your own Caliente recipes? We suggest trying out these Easy Peri Peri Oven-Baked Carrot Fries, these Schezwan Baby Potatoes, these Red Jackfruit Pozole, and these Jerk Cauliflower Tacos (pictured above).

5. Boost Your Mood

Ever wondered why we love spicy foods even though they cause pain? The answer lies in the after-effects it has on our mood. Capsaicin, the famous biochemical compound found in all hot peppers can give you a rush of endorphins which will temporarily elevate your mood. It also increases activity in our cerebral opioid system causing a feeling of euphoria in some people.

Want to boost your mood with delicious fiery recipes? We’ve got you! Try out this Thai Hot and Sour Soup, these Roasted Poblano Cilantro Empanadas, this Sweet and Spicy Tamale Stuffed With Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, and Peppers, and these Spicy Sofritas Black Bean Bowls.

Recommended Resources and Recipes

Want to give your taste buds a challenge and learn more about the benefits of spicy foods? Here are a few articles and recipes that might interest you:

• 15 Hot and Spicy Recipes That Bring on the Heat
• How Herbs and Spices Can Transform Your Health
• Bring on the Heat! 15 Fiery Vegan Recipes That Will Set Your Taste Buds on Fire
• Your Guide to Spicy Chili Powders!
• The Amazing Hidden Health Benefits of Common Kitchen Spices and Herbs Revealed!
• Amp Up The Flavor in All Of Your Meals With These Tips

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental well-being, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, and prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based we highly recommend grabbing our favorite plant-based cookbooks and downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep
• Plant-Based Cookbooks 

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Lastly, being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!