Is spicy food not good for you?

Question

I love eating spicy food. But recently a friend told me that spicy food is not good for you.

Are there any resources to back up the claim?

Also, when do I know something is "too spicy" that it is unhealthy for me?

Answer 1

Most of the world eats spicy food, and they are all more healthy in terms of diet than the U.S.

Answer 2

I come from a nation (Malaysia if you want to know) where spicy food is the norm. There is no such thing as it being bad for your health. Oily, greasy, very sweet or salty foods are bad for you. However, like everything else in life, do take it in moderation and as your system slowly acclimatizes with how much spiciness you can take, you can gradually increase your intake.

You'll know something "too spicy" is bad for you if you feel any discomfort after consuming it, i.e, tummy ache, heartburn etc.

Note that if you like chillies, eat it minus the seeds as those do bring some minor health issues up.

Keep up the spiciness in your life dude!

Answer 3

It's not really "Bad" for you, but it depends on what you do in your daily life. Spicy food can create reactions you do not want if you're singing or a voice actor or something like that. It doesn't really have much of an effect if your body can handle it. People with higher tolerance for it probably won't have problems with it. Spicy stuff can probably be harmful for you if you take it in large amounts, try to limit it and not eat everything with spices.

Answer 4

It depends on how sensitive you are to that kind of thing. If you've grown up eating spicy foods, then you don't react harshly when you eat it as an adult. Only if you get heartburn do you know that it is "too spicy". Personally, I can eat the spiciest food there is and not feel a thing.

Answer 5

I came from Malaysia, a multi racial country of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Thai, where eating spicy food was a daily affair. I hv never had any problem with indigestion or stomach upset because i ate too spicy food.

In fact, i have no problem in eating any type of food, any time of the day.

Speaking through experience.

Answer 6

Well, I can answer for foods from the chili pepper family. They contain chemical compounds called capsaicins. These chemicals burn any tissue they come in contact with. That's the sensation of "spicy." One theory is that the plant makes the chemical as a defense mechanism against plant-eating animals, like man!

Answer 7

Spicy food is more exciting and unless it makes you physically sick it is perfectly healthy for you. Overdosing on hot peppers by themselves or in strong sauces can give you a nasty case of diarrhea. Short of that just enjoy this meals.

Your friend can stick to eating white bread and oatmeal if he likes but you can eat the good stuff.

Answer 8

Unless it's causing you digestive upset, spicy food is perfectly fine for you.

Answer 9

actually, spicy food which is spicy from peppers that contain capsacin are very good for you...capsacin triggers the release of enzymes in your brain and help your memory...

your friend clearly does not eat spicy food, because they are a little on the slow side...

Answer 10

im indian and cannot get enough spice. It actually lends a feeling of being full faster which is a good thing...coz or else i keep getting hungry. But i can handle food from all around the world coz my stomachs probably stronger from all those spices! wonder whether the spices are there just for taste or serve a health perspective as well... hmmm...