It's almost some form of culinary masochism - but in the summer when it's really hot, I love to punish myself by eating supremely spicy foods that make me sweat even more than I already am. My friends and family think I'm psycho. Of course, there is a completely logical, physiological reason why spicy foods are eaten when it's hot, but there are also other health and preventative reasons why spicy foods are good for you. Let's just take a look at those reasons so we can use them when we go for the Korean yook-gae-jahng in 100% humidity.
- Cancer-fighting and cancer-prevention - A recent study shows that capsaicin can be used to fight pancreatic cancer. It slowed the growth of cancer cells and in some cases, even caused cancer cells to die off.
- Alleviate inflammation - Arthritis and psoriasis are cause by nerve damage and cause pain on joints. Capsaicin supposedly helps to ease that pain.
- Relieve chronic pain - In some cases, spicy foods containing capsaicin greatly reduced pain caused by headaches or osteoporosis.
- Heart-health - Cayenne and chili peppers can help to reduce cholesterol. Additionally statistics show that cultures that eat spicy foods (e.g. some Asian countries) frequently have a much lower rate of heart attack and stroke.
So break out those jalapenos!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2006 @ 4:08PM
Becki said...
"...A recent study shows that capsaicin can be used to fight pancreatic cancer..."
Please - if you're going to quote "a recent study" then provide a link or a reference. This is just shabby blogging - sorry.
I have a friend with pancreatic cancer and any hard news on the subject is invaluable.
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6-16-2006 @ 4:19PM
sarah said...
becki: my apologies for leaving it out - thank you for letting me know. i have added it to the post!
http://newsbureau.upmc.com/UPCI/ChiliPepper.htm
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6-17-2006 @ 1:08AM
Becki said...
Thank you Angela!
from April 4, 2006, so it's a bit belated. Also, the research is only in the lab, on the unfortunate white mice, but it is pretty encouraging.
On another note, it's odd that the anti-inflammatory diet is the one that people like Dr. Weil espouses as the best to decrease one's susceptibility to things like cancer, but chili always seemed to me to be the polar opposite type of substance. For example, when I had a long term skin problem that all the dermatologists couldn't help me with ANY sort of hot pepper would make the irritation worse - "inflaming" the condition. Yet it seems that capsaicin works as an anti-inflammatory agent - for example: against arthritis pain.
I appreciate the "food is therapy" blog entry. You should do more of these!
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6-17-2006 @ 4:02AM
G said...
Be careful when referencing asian food habits again health issues. The alledged effects could easily be caused by a deep-rooted cultural tradition than their food, e.g. the Japanese deem(ed) it more honorable to die from brain diseases than, say, heart failure and doctors have been known to falsely report it as to keep up a family's appearance. Thus obviously influencing statistics to which certain food-health effects are then attributed (eating raw or fatty fish decreases the risk of heart disease).
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8-15-2006 @ 4:46PM
txdave22 said...
I'm writing an article on foods that have actually helped people suffering arthritis.
I like your blog and wonder if you could tell me if you've had personal experience I could cite with any of these foods.
Please leave comment on my blog.
thnks dave
http://backbebetter.blogspot.com
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