We often find that our food and drink cravings change, depending on the weather. When it’s hot outside, our bodies send signals that they want cold things, like ice cream and salads and refreshing drinks like water. Our bodies are fairly good at telling us what we need, so it’s not surprising that in the wintertime we crave things that will warm us and bring us comfort. You might find that you crave warming drinks, comforting casseroles, and spicy food when it’s cold outside. The good news is, there are plenty of benefits to eating spicy food. Here’s a look at some of them.
Spicy Food is Warming
When we’re cold, a big warm meal is a great way to warm up from the inside. Spicy food can be even more effective. A filling and spicy curry from urban-tandoor.com is a great way to warm your body after a cold day. But try not to eat anything spicier than you usually would, as this can cause your body to sweat to cool down, which can leave you feeling cold, and even shivery not long after you finish your meal.
Clear Sinuses
When we eat spicy foods, many of us find that our noses start to run. Usually, this can be annoying. But if you’ve got painful sinuses or a blocked nose, eating spicy food can clear congestion, relieve sinus pain, and help you to feel better.
Social Opportunities
Eating always offers great social opportunities. There’s nothing better than sharing a meal with friends and family. Spicy food, with lots of side orders, dips, and bread, is a style of food that easily lends itself to eating casually with other people.
Increased Circulation
What we eat has a big impact on our heart health, which in turn affects our blood pressure and circulation. In winter, if you have poor circulation, you might find that your hands and feet get very cold and become uncomfortable.
Eating some spicy food, like chilli peppers, expands blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can improve circulation and help you to keep warm. Some spices like capsaicin can also reduce inflammation in your body, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Pain Relief
Reduced inflammation can help to use joint and muscle pain. It’s also thought that capsaicin, when applied topically, can block some of the pain messages sent by your muscles. So, it makes sense that eating spicy food can also be beneficial.
Increased Longevity
Some studies show that eating spicy food regularly can increase your lifespan. This could be due to improved heart health and reduced inflammation.
Weight Loss
Spicy food can lead to appetite suppression and help us to feel full faster. When we eat something spicy, we’re less likely to overeat. It can also boost metabolism, helping us to burn calories faster.
Of course, the biggest benefit of eating spicy food is that there are lots of great flavours and recipes to choose from. The fact that it could help you to stay healthy, feel warm and fight off colds are just added bonuses.