Eating spicy food can help relieve a cold because spices like chili peppers contain compounds called capsaicinoids, which can help clear nasal passages by thinning secretions and promoting mucus elimination.
When you eat spicy foods, such as chili or strong mustard, their main active ingredient, capsaicin, causes a warming sensation in your nose and throat. This sensation stimulates certain nerve endings and triggers an immediate reaction from your body: it naturally defends itself by producing more mucus and increasing nasal secretion. It flows a lot at first, but afterwards, you breathe better. It clears your airways and thins out all the secretions that have accumulated during your cold. Basically, these foods tingle your mucous membranes, provoke a good nasal cleaning, and allow for quick and concrete decongestion.
Spices like turmeric, ginger, and chili contain natural compounds that can soothe inflammation. For example, curcumin found in turmeric alleviates irritation in the respiratory tract and reduces the typical scratchy throat feeling when you're catching a cold. Ginger contains gingerol, a natural anti-inflammatory that decreases pain and swelling associated with a cold. As for the capsaicin in chili, it also effectively reduces nasal inflammation and allows for easier breathing. These spices help your body better manage inflammation-related symptoms by reducing swelling, irritation, and pain associated with a cold.
Eating spicy food directly stimulates your immune defenses thanks to certain spices packed with beneficial compounds. Ginger, for example, is loaded with antioxidants that can enhance the body's response to infections. Turmeric, on the other hand, contains curcumin, known to help your body better resist external aggressors like viruses. As for chili, its famous capsaicin activates certain immune cells that strengthen the fight against intruders and facilitate quick recovery. So, by adding a bit of spice to your meals, not only do your dishes taste better, but you also give your body a little boost to protect itself against the cold.
Spices like Cayenne pepper, ginger, and mustard contain compounds that directly stimulate the nasal mucosa. Their consumption helps to make mucus more fluid and promotes its natural expulsion more easily. In short, eating spicy food triggers a sort of mini-cleaning reaction that clears the congested nose or throat by reducing the viscosity of the mucus. That's why we often need a tissue after enjoying a well-seasoned curry. When mucus comes out more easily, you breathe better and therefore feel relief during a cold.
Eating spicy food activates blood circulation by dilating the vessels: this is mainly due to the famous capsaicin found in chili peppers. It causes an immediate feeling of warmth by stimulating blood flow, which improves the supply of oxygen to the cells and helps the body defend itself better during a cold. The result: less congestion, a quicker movement of white blood cells to fight infection, and accelerated recovery. Not bad for a few pinches of chili!
Regularly consuming hot peppers would stimulate the production of endorphins, which explains the feeling of well-being after a spicy meal—a valuable asset when you're feeling fatigued from a cold!
Did you know that spices such as ginger and turmeric have natural anti-inflammatory properties recognized by science? Some compounds found in these spices are currently being extensively studied in the context of natural therapies.
In addition to its medicinal effects, consuming spicy foods also promotes your digestion by stimulating the production of gastric acids and digestive enzymes.
The hot pepper contains capsaicin, a molecule that temporarily stimulates the nasal nerve endings, which explains the quick sensation of decongestion when eating spicy food.
Yes, excessive consumption of spices can cause gastric or intestinal irritations, especially in sensitive individuals or those already experiencing digestive issues. It is therefore best to adjust one's consumption according to personal tolerance levels.
No, spicy foods do not substitute for appropriate medical treatment in any way. However, they may contribute to respiratory comfort and help alleviate certain cold symptoms as a complement to other appropriate medical care.
The nose runs more because spices刺激 the nasal mucous membranes, causing a temporary increase in mucus production. This process actually helps to more easily clear the secretions accumulated in the sinuses.
In addition to spices, hydration (herbal tea, soup, water), inhalation of essential oils, sufficient rest, and humidifying the surrounding air can effectively help relieve cold symptoms more quickly.
Cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, black pepper, and turmeric are among the most effective spices for relieving a cold due to their decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties.
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