There are spicy food lovers all around the world. A lot of people desire to have spicy foods in their daily life. In China, we love hot peppers (辣椒), fiery-hot chicken wings and we put spicy seasonings (调味品) on top of just about everything. Thankfully, spicy foods are generally good for us. They do more than add flavor(调味) to your I favourite meals.
Spicy foods are good for your heart. People who regularly eat foods rich in spice are less likely to experience a heart attack or stroke (中风). Chili peppers provides three times more vitamin C than oranges. The unique chili pepper heat comes from a component called capsaicin (辣椒素) which helps lower cholesterol (胆固醇) and reduces inflammation (炎症). Spicy foods also help prevent cancer. Capsaicin has been found to kill some cancer cells, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. Turmeric (姜黄), which is the main spice in curry, has been shown to help slow down the spread of certain cancer cells.
Spicy foods can even help you lose weight. After eating something spicy, you burn more calories than if you were to have eaten something bland (清淡). Also, studies show that spicy foods leave you feeling more satisfied than their non-spicy eaters. This means you're more likely to stick to your diet and not overeat. Try adding some hot sauce to your next meal and see if you notice a difference.
Spicy foods also have other benefits. They can lighten your mood, making you feel happier. In addition, they can fight symptoms of the common cold by helping you work up a sweat. In fact, "spicy" is a burning feeling that you have on the surface of your tongue. That some people can stand spicy food is because their tongues have become less sensitive to it. If you cannot handle the fiery heat, try to build up a tolerance (耐受力) gradually. Drinking milk or other milk drinks such as yogurt can "coat your tongue" and help you cool down after a spicy meal.
If you happen to be a spicy food lover, congratulations! Don' t hesitate to include spicy foods in your balanced diet!
