Do you think you know quite a bit about spicy food? It is time to put that knowledge to the test. In this article, we will be looking at some of the myths and the truth behind spicy food. You can think of it as the Mythbusters of spicy food, but no berets or Adams were injured in the pursuit of the truth that follows. Let’s look at some of those myths and see if we can unravel them.
Spicy Food Will Cause Ulcers
This is a myth that has pervaded for a long time, but it is simply not true. Even doctors once believed that spicy food was the primary case of ulcers. The real cause of ulcers is a type of bacteria in the stomach called helicobacter pylori. Unfortunately, there are still some people out there who believe this to be true. Next time you hear someone tell you to take it easy with the Frank’s Red Hot, you can let them in on the truth.
Spicy Food Destroys Taste Buds
This is false. When you put an extremely hot pepper or hot sauce into your mouth, it can feel as though it is on fire. You might feel as if you are burning through every layer of your mouth, and you probably imagine flames and smoke coming out of your ears, cartoon style. While you might feel that pain, you are not actually killing your taste buds. Don’t worry; they will be fine.
Spicy Foods Give You a Runner’s High
Strange as this might sound, this one is true. You didn’t think we would do a Mythbusters on spicy foods and not have some that turned out to be true, did you? When you eat something that is very spicy, it causes the body to release endorphins as a way to help deal with the pain you are feeling. These endorphins provide you with the same type of euphoric feeling that you have when you go running or when you have a good workout at the gym. If you are unfamiliar with this feeling, it might be time to sign up at the local gym!
Spicy Foods Induce Birth
If you are more than nine months pregnant and you can’t wait for that little bundle of joy to finally vacate the womb and join the real world, you might be thinking about chowing down on some spicy Thai food tonight. After all, everyone tells you that it is a surefire way to induce labor. Unfortunately for you, this is simply not true. Sure, if you eat enough, it could aggravate your stomach, but that does not mean that your baby is going to pack his or her bags and decide to be born to get away from the peppers. Eating spicy food will not induce labor, and that includes premature labor.
These were some of the most common myths about spicy food. Now that you know the truth, make sure you educate others so they can enjoy the benefits without all of the fear.