Are Spicy Foods Bad For You?
Short answer
Eating spicy food, if not overdone, is great for you. It can lead to a reduced risk of several diseases and increase your lifespan.
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Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
There's a saying that goes, "no pain, no gain," and this may very well apply to spicy foods too - in particular, chili peppers. The familiar burning sensation you get on your tongue when eating something spicy is not the spice slicing through your tongue like a razor blade, but rather the capsaicin interacting with your nerve endings. While it may be uncomfortable, cause any lasting damage is extremely rare.
While spicy foods contain a variety of nutrients, the chemical capsaicin is the one researchers believe responsible for increased longevity and a decreased risk of various diseases. Studies conducted around the world show the benefits of eating spicy food. According to one Hungarian study, spicy food can reduce the risk of stomach bleeding that can occur when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (such as Aspirin) by decreasing the output of stomach acid. Researchers in Australia found that adding chilies to one's diet can help decrease the risk of high cholesterol.
Other studies have shown that capsaicin may prevent cancer, reduce the risk of diabetes, and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Also, spicy food may help improve metabolism, destroy bad gut bacteria while promoting good gut flora, and help you lose weight. Spicy foods are often also high in essential nutrients such as vitamin A and calcium.
There are some risks to take into consideration, though. Spicy food may cause heartburn and/or acid reflux. Also, spicy foods have been shown to aggravate IBS as well as cause diarrhea in some people. One further danger, which is only seen when one consumes large amounts of spice food, is that the stomach lining can be injured, causing problems such as gastritis and colitis.
Still, the above concerns shouldn't stop you from eating peppers. When eaten in moderation, you will see nothing but benefits. In fact, spicy foods may help you live a longer life, as indeed a Chinese study involving about half a million people showed.
Possible short-term side effects
- diarrhea
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heartburn / acid reflux
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damage to taste buds (rare)
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damage the stomach lining (rare)
Benefits
- reduces risk of cancer
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reduces risk of cardiovascular disease
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promotes weight loss
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promotes longevity
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helps kill bad stomach bacteria
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may kill lung and pancreatic cancer cells
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Super Seed Crackers
- Organic plant protein
- Gluten-free snack
- Contains jalapeno flavor
- Non-GMO
- Convenient 6-pack
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-12-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-12-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
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