For some people, spicy flavors are essential in their meals. Spicy food enhances their dining experience. However, excessive consumption of spicy food may not be beneficial for health.
- Risks of Excessive Consumption of Spicy Food
Consuming spicy food excessively can lead to several health risks, including:
- Causes Gastric Pain
Overconsumption of spicy food can affect the stomach, leading to symptoms such as nausea, acidity, stomach burning, or even acid reflux. Moreover, the stronger the spiciness, the worse conditions like gastric ulcers become.
- Disrupts Sleep
Including chili in meals can increase body temperature, significantly affecting sleep patterns. Therefore, eating too much spicy food can make it difficult to fall asleep.
- Reduces Appetite for Natural Foods
Those who regularly consume chili or spicy food in excess may overload their taste buds, affecting nutrient intake and even the ability to distinguish flavors. Therefore, excessive and frequent consumption of spicy food may not be beneficial.
- Causes Body Heat
Regular consumption of chili with high spiciness levels can lead to mouth ulcers, blisters, and discomfort in other organs…
Additionally, mold in chili powder or fresh chili can produce aflatoxin, a toxin that can cause poisoning and cancer. However, chili contains a significant amount of vitamins C and D, which benefit health.
For individuals with weak health, gastric problems, irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones, or those regularly taking medications, daily consumption of chili should be avoided because fresh chili can directly affect their health.
- Cause Acne
Spicy food tends to absorb moisture, making the skin rough and stimulating acne formation. Therefore, individuals with dry skin should limit consumption of spicy foods, which often contain high salt content.
Moreover, for pregnant women, spicy food affects both the mother and the baby. Particularly, consuming spicy food during pregnancy can lead to allergies in the child or increase the likelihood of diaper rash and internal heat after birth.
Nursing mothers should also avoid excessively spicy foods because the concentration of spicy compounds can pass through breast milk and affect the child. Additionally, consuming too much spicy food can cause internal heat and sleep difficulties.
- Useful Effects of Spicy Chili
Although excessive consumption of spicy food can pose health risks, when used in moderate and proper amounts, chili’s spiciness can also provide health benefits, such as:
- Pain Relief
Capsaicin, a compound in chili, stimulates pain relief effectively. Capsaicin is often used as a natural pain reliever post-surgery, for joint pain, mouth pain, or certain skin conditions.
Heart Attack Prevention:Â Chili’s spiciness improves blood circulation, preventing risks of heart attack, and helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Controls Snacking
For those prone to colds, respiratory diseases, and flu-related illnesses, chili effectively helps prevent these conditions.
- Anti-inflammatory and Strengthening
Chili in the diet, with its distinctive spiciness, has anti-inflammatory properties, especially beneficial for joint-related inflammation. It also effectively strengthens the body against weakness.
- Improves Digestive System
While excessive spicy food may alter digestive enzymes, appropriate consumption stimulates gastric secretion, enhances digestion, and improves taste, thereby preventing bloating.
- Effective Weight Loss Aid
Capsaicin in chili and similar spicy foods helps burn more energy immediately after meals, boosting the body’s metabolism. Thus, it helps in feeling full and achieving effective weight loss.
Despite potential health risks from excessive spicy food consumption, adjusting and using it appropriately can bring various health benefits to individuals.