When you think of hot sauce, what comes to mind?
You probably either think of “no thank you” or “bring it on.”
Well, if you’re in the former group, it’s time to warm up to the hot sensation and if you already love, we have even better news because capsaicin hot sauce is great for your health.
What Is Capsaicin Hot Sauce?
In some ways, the name “capsaicin hot sauce” is a bit of a misnomer. That’s because all hot sauce – all spicy food, for that matter – has capsaicin in it. If you ever feel your tongue tingle in the very least because of a kick, you’ve just consumed this fiery material.
Capsaicin is in every chili pepper and it’s actually an irritant for all mammals. When it comes into contact with your tissue – in the mouth or otherwise – it has the effect of producing some amount of a burning sensation.
In fact, the same capsaicin in hot sauce is in the aptly named pepper spray that law enforcement uses. Obviously, it’s in much higher doses, which explains why even making mere contact with a person’s skin – much less their eyes – produces a horrendous effect.
There’s a reason for this effect, as well. To your brain, the presence of capsaicin is processed as actual heat. When you feel like your mouth is on fire from eating a chili pepper, it’s because your brain really thinks it’s happening. Our receptors weren’t actually designed to acknowledge spice, so what we’ve come to know as “a bit of a kick” often feels like “a match” as far as our brain is concerned.
That being said, there’s a reason why so many people crave capsaicin hot sauce. To many, it’s the height of flavor.
As we’re about to discuss, though, it can also work wonders inside your body, too.
Capsaicin Hot Sauce Is a Delicious Painkiller
Oddly enough, while lots of people associate capsaicin hot sauce with a fire in their mouths, this natural ingredient can also work as a mild sedative for pain.
Recall that we just mentioned how capsaicin hot sauce feels like a literal flame. This effect generally isn’t much of a problem (unless it comes in the form of pepper spray). One of the ways the brain reacts to this stimulus is by flooding your system with endorphins.
To those who are unaware, endorphins are produced by your central nervous system and pituitary gland. They’re basically organic opioids designed to block out pain and bring about some level of euphoria.
So while you may be fanning your mouth after an overly generous dose of capsaicin hot sauce, your brain is actually hard at work releasing an anti-inflammatory agent throughout your body.
For the time being, scientists aren’t sure about the exact chemistry involved, but there is no doubt about the effect: capsaicin trigger endorphins.
Doctors have even gone so far as to use capsaicin’s amazing properties to treat people with toothaches and even those suffering from severe forms of arthritis.
Thus, the next time you wince in pain from hitting your funny bone or are reeling from pain because you stubbed your tone, consider enjoying a hot wing or two. It can’t hurt! …much.
Capsaicin May Lower the Risk of Prostate Cancer
This is another example of counterintuitive benefits associated with capsaicin hot sauce. After all, most people agree that even if you enjoy eating spicy foods, it can become an unwelcomed memory later on when you’re, well, in the bathroom.
Prostate cancer is a very serious disease that will affect roughly 14% of all men. After skin cancer, it’s the most common form amongst men. Fortunately, it can usually be successfully treated.
Still, given the aforementioned statistic, all men should consider adding a chili or two to their diets on a regular basis.
That’s because capsaicin goes after prostate cancer cells and even attacks them on multiple fronts. Better still, it does this no matter what stage the cell growth is at.
Therefore, while you may experience some unpleasant side effects long after your second plate of Buffalo wings or your third bowl of chili, in the long run, capsaicin may help save the very area it seems to hurt the most.
Capsaicin Will Clear Your Sinuses
Yet another effect most of us know all too well as it relates to hot foods is how they seem to make quick work of a clogged nose.
Many people live with chronic sinus problems and even spend small fortunes throughout the year on sprays and other medicines to keep them clear and reduce the bacteria buildup that wreaks havoc.
A better, more affordable and tastier plan may simply to be a regular meal of spicy food. For many people, even a dash of capsaicin hot sauce in their soup or on their eggs will do the trick. After all, the smell is usually enough to get the nose running.
Capsaicin Is a Fat Burner
Diets certainly serve their purpose and restricting calories can have a number of benefits where your health is concerned, not the least of which has to do with your waistline.
For one thing, spicy food is harder for most of us to eat. While it may not increase satiety, it does make it a lot easier to push the plate away instead of going for seconds.
That being said, by taking longer to eat, your brain does have more time to process your intake and realize, “Hey, you know what? I think we’re full.”
At the same time, this fiery ingredient has also been proven to rev up your body temperature and kick your metabolism into high gear. As a result, you end up burning more calories.
Just make sure you don’t douse your wings in blue cheese.
Your Blood Pressure Will Benefit from Capsaicin
Hot sauce may make you feel like your head is about to burst, but it’s actually working hard to keep your blood pressure down.
This is great news for those of us worried about strokes, heart attacks and other forms of coronary disease.
Usually, if you want to avoid these complications, the advice is to stick to bland diet free of gluttonous treats.
Well, one tasty addition you don’t have to keep off your plate is hot sauce. Enjoy yourself knowing that you’re doing your heart a favor (unless you get heartburn, of course).
Like many forms of medicine, capsaicin hot sauce may be a challenge to consume at times, but as you just saw, it’s really, really good for you.