| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/17/2008 11:58:47 PM | Is it true what they say about spicy foods being good for you?
I visited a couple Mexican, Indian and Thai resturants in the last week...ate super spicy food...I've never really had spicy food before...It was like being in a sauna...my body started sweating and I reacted like I got bit by a posionous spider or snake...LOL
I think I've lost 4 Lbs in the last week all the while eating high calorie foods.
I'm kidding of course...but for real...does spicy food...errr...clean your system or something? Why do so many think it's good for you? | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/18/2008 12:37:29 AM | Large amounts has a minor metabolic effect, we are talking very low single figure percentage differences. You can achieve the same end calorie result by just not eating the spicy food.
It will also have a laxative effect depending on your tolerance. This is not 'cleaning your system', this is 'irritating your bowel' and not really a positive. A burning ring... a ring of fire... | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/18/2008 3:17:12 AM | Capsaicin (the active ingredient in spicy foods) has widely been shown to have health benefits.
You can find this by a simple Google search. Good luck! | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/18/2008 3:36:33 AM | | Spicy food doesn't cause weight loss, moderate amounts of spicy food can be healthy but it can also make you want cravings. I used to eat a lot of spicy foods, all you get is the sh*ts if you eat too much of it. Want your system cleansed, listen to your mother, "eat your vegetables". | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/18/2008 4:04:04 AM | | I loves me some spicy foods, and it sure hasn't made me lose weight, though it sometimes gives me gas, lol. My doctor put me on cholesterol meds, so now I have to put hot sauce on my veggies. Man, that'll clean you out if you're not used to it. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/18/2008 7:11:25 AM | I love spicy foods, especially indian food. Nothing beats Lamb Vindaloo.  I would probably weigh 80 pounds if I couldn't eat spicy foods. When my sinuses act up, I head over to an indian food or thai food place. It sure helps relieve the pressure. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/18/2008 9:22:42 AM | No irritation yet...I kind of enjoyed spicy food...my idea of ethnic food prior to this experience(s) was basically Kraft Dinner with a dash of curry.  | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/18/2008 1:35:23 PM | Good on ya for trying new stuff. People who won't even taste anything new drive me bananas.
I pretty much try every new ethnic food I come across; so far, Indian, Thai, and Vietnamese are my absolute faves but Lebanese and Mexican wouldn't be too far behind.
You can actually get used to the hotness if you eat enough of it and then you can eat hotter and hotter stuff. Mind, most of those cuisines have 'spicy' that's not necessarily 'hot' so if heat gives you trouble, you can find dishes that are mild and still enjoy the combination of yummy flavours.
Try Butter Chicken or Chicken Korma next time you eat Indian. Not hot (unless you ask for spice) but absolutely deeeeelicious!
Almost forgot to mention that turmeric (an ingredient in many curries) is supposed to be a good anti-oxidant. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/20/2008 9:43:10 AM | Like they say in the UK, 100 million Indians can't be wrong (Asian not American)
I'm a total spice junkie and have chilli with just about everything. It is reputed to have a protective effect on the gut by increasing the production of mucus. This may help moderate certain autoimmune conditions and help protect against wheat allergies etc. However, I don't think there's much interest in performing large scale medical trials, not when drugs are considerably more profitable a prospect.
Capsicum can help heal injuries and possibly even be used with poultices.
http://www.google.com/search?q=capsicum+healing
They may also help with certain autoimmune conditions, heart disease and help boost circulation. There's also a suggestion that very hot peppers may be a mood enhancer or may help fight depression by stimulating the release of endorphins. May also (erm) enhance your love life too ;)
http://www.google.com/search?q=health+benefits+of+spices
http://www.everyday-wisdom.com/chili-peppers.html
http://www.google.com/search?q=capsicum+pepper+fight+depression | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/20/2008 11:13:51 AM | | Not sure about it being good for you. If you have conditions like Acid Reflux - definitely NOT good for you...when I had gall stones, spicey food was my enemy. Eating anything spicey, or greasy for that matter now just does a number on me. I say no to the spice. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/20/2008 3:11:27 PM | There are lots of different kinds of spicy. Most of this thread seems to be chilis.
Capsaicin has some influence in how our body interprets pain. It might be something as simple as we get used to how painful going to the bathroom is after a Jalapeno night, so other kinds of pain don't hurt as much.
Other spices, such as ginger, have systemic effects as well. They can influence how drugs work. It should happen everywhere in the world, but doesn't; doctors really should ask what your preference for spicy food is like before they prescribe various drugs. If your diet includes a lot of spices or herbs, perhaps the best thing is to ask your pharmacist if those spices or herbs will influence the drugs being prescribed. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/20/2008 4:27:52 PM | "Capsaicin has some influence in how our body interprets pain."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516112459.htm
if you search "capsaicin" on sciencedaily.com, several more articles unrelated to pain. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/21/2008 6:25:19 AM | The best advantage to eating really spicey(hot spicey) is that it forces you to drink more water than you normally would.
In reality though, indian and thai cuisine use so much spice because chicken and white rice are extemely bland and boring. Its totally worth learning to cook with cumin, coriander, ect...the real health benefit is that its easy to eat clean food without it getting dull. The spice is just a means to an end. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/21/2008 7:33:47 PM | I like spicy food, but too much tends to be spicy on its way out, too.
Like the guy up thread said, the metabolic effects are minor, compared to the discomfort you might experience if you aren't used to it. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/22/2008 8:46:00 AM | | Watch out for that neon green Habanero sauce at the mexican restaurants. That'll burn you a brand new one. Use baby wipes after a good explosion, it soothes the nether regions, or you can try witch hazel. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 8/22/2008 9:05:21 AM | | I do have a guilty pleasure even though I don't like spicey food...I love African food. The texture of it is quite different from the food we are used to, and it can do a number on your stomach. I stay clear of the really spicey beef dish - that would be enough to send me into the hospital for the night. But if you like spicey, that is the way to go. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 10/15/2009 8:54:03 PM | I always enjoyed a really spicy curry (Vindaloo or Fal) if I had a bad cold.
I can't remember them lasting more than 2 days each time after doing that.
Each spice has its own properties, but what someone said about Indians and Indian food is pretty true. Besides they have so many other things in their food and culture that work, I can't remember the last time I saw a fat indian. Look up ayurveda sometime. | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 10/18/2009 9:23:08 AM | | hi... raw garlic, onions, tumeric, cayenne etc eaten a few times a week in small quantities will keep parasites at bay .. parasites are the blame for a lot of diseases.. they take the little nourishment provided from modern inadequate diets leaving the person weak and open to illness... blessings for health | |
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| Spicy Foods: Fact or Fiction
Posted: 10/19/2009 7:30:47 PM |
I can't remember the last time I saw a fat indian. Look up ayurveda sometime.
I guess I'd have to disagree on this one. In my last job I did lots of travel to Hong Kong, Singapore and India and they use a lot of oil in their foods. Indians (asian) tend to be more over weight than the average chinese. | |
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