Spicy food is easy to love! It tastes great and the health benefits are mounting. A phytochemical called capsaicin is abundant in hot peppers. Capsaicin helps protect DNA from damage, which in turn strengthens the body's resilience against aging and illness. Interestingly, the burning sensation experienced when eating spicy foods is the central nervous system's reaction to capsaisin. Although it causes no real damage. Contrary to popular belief spicy foods don't cause ulcers, but help heal them.
Photo: Spicy Sweet Plantain Pasta, Click Here for the recipe
Two things I always have around to spice up meals are fresh jalapenos and powdered cayenne pepper. Many herbalists consider cayenne to be the most valuable herb in nature.
Cayenne is best known for heart health, it lowers blood pressure, improves circulation and cardiac performance. A spoon full of cayenne given during a heart attack has been documented to prevent damage to the heart. Cayenne also rebuilds tissues in the stomach and is used for treating ulcers. Aids assimilation and elimination, and helps the body create hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for proper digestion especially for the digestion of proteins.
Additionally, cayenne is a natural stimulant and fat burner. Other common medicinal uses include; treating cluster headaches, arthritis pain, and more. Because the capsaisin in cayenne triggers the central nervous system, pain receptors are depleted making it an excellent natural pain reliever.
