Health & Wellness
13 Actual Reasons Why You Are Craving Spicy Food All The Time
Are you a sweet person? Sweet as in sweet taste! And suddenly started adding a spoon of red chili powder extra or eating more of the schezwan chutney with your momos.
Are you a sweet person? Sweet as in sweet taste! And suddenly started adding a spoon of red chili powder extra or eating more of the schezwan chutney with your momos.
Or feeling it necessary to eat green chili with an evening snack after office vada pav. Then you will crave spicy foods.
“Suddenly craving spicy food can be a physical sign of the body.”
Why am I craving spicy food? Or what does “craving spicy food” mean? Is Spicy food good for health?
It can be due to various reasons, ranging from pregnancy to depression. But eating spicy food does have a positive effect on the brain. Spicy food consumption can lead to enhanced cognition and reversed AD biomarkers in the CSF, suggesting that a capsaicin-rich diet may be able to alter the cognitive status and cerebral pathologies of Alzheimer’s disease.
13 reasons for craving spicy food
1. To acclimate to a chilly climate
According to a journal, Capsaicin in chili peppers have a favorable effect on body temperature. It may affect the warm sensors of the body’s regulatory system.
When the atmosphere is cool or a person feels cold, craving spicy foods high in capsaicin can help stimulate a feeling of warmth in their body and help them acclimate to the cold temperature of the environment.
2. You’re depriving yourself of something valuable
You’re denying yourself the pleasures of life.
If you’re attempting to eliminate spicy foods from your diet, you may find that your desires rise. According to one study, short-term food deprivation can enhance cravings for the foods you’re avoiding.
Attempting to restrict or deprive yourself of a particular meal is thought to trigger cravings as a result of various underlying mental and emotional processes, according to another earlier review.
Although there is limited study on the precise association between food restriction and craving hot food, studies on other foods such as chocolate and salty snacks show that this impact occurs.
3. Anorexia nervosa
Many studies have linked food cravings to eating disorders such as emotional eating, binge eating, and overeating.
According to a study, experiential avoidance (attempts to avoid body sensations, thoughts, and emotions) has been linked to eating disorders and food cravings.
According to the theory, when a person ignores or suppresses their emotions, they become subject to overeating (emotional eating) to alleviate their bad sensations.
This causes people to develop eating issues. Similarly, a person with an eating disorder may have increased their craving for spicy food to help them cope with their condition.
4. Depression
Capsaicin is known to have antidepressant properties, which could aid in the treatment of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Even modest doses of capsaicin can help the body produce antidepressant-like effects and lessen depression.
When a person is sad or has persistent anxiety, they may have a spicy craving because the pungency of capsaicin in these foods can help them feel better by reducing their depressive symptoms and providing a pleasurable sensation.
5. Reduce rhinitis symptoms
Capsaicin may help induce a burning feeling in the body and reduce these symptoms, according to research. It can be a treatment for inflammation or allergy-related rhinitis symptoms.
As a result, persons suffering from a fever or experiencing similar symptoms may start craving spicy food to help them feel better.
6. You’re expecting a baby
Food cravings are prevalent among pregnant women in the United States, affecting 50–90% of them.
In a survey involving 635 pregnant women, sweets, including chocolate, ice cream, and desserts, were the most frequently craved products. Spicy meals, on the other hand, are a popular appetite.
Roughly 3.3 percent of women in the same research said they were craving hot food like curry, chili, and spices.
Although the exact origin of food craving spicy food while pregnant is unknown, experts believe it may be a mix of hormonal shifts, dietary deficits, and specific chemicals or molecules in preferred meals.
Also read: How to relieve smelly gas during pregnancy
7. Influences from the outside
According to a study, social factors such as cultural expectations or the eating habits of others in our immediate environment can influence our eating habits.
Whatever our particular food preferences are, we are more inclined to adopt eating habits that are similar to those of those around us or to those of our culture.
As a result, if a person comes from a culture where they commonly consume spicy food, they are more likely to adopt similar habits.
8. To have a pleasant and joyful feeling
Capsaicin is an antidepressant and an active ingredient, as previously stated.
According to a study, capsaicin’s strong pain feeling stimulates sensory neurons. These neurons convey signals to the brain about a burning sensation, which may cause the brain to release the pain-relieving enzyme endorphins, which can help lift one’s mood.
Simply said, a person may start craving spicy food when they want to feel great for a short period.
7. Endorphin Release:
Spicy foods trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body. These endorphins can create a sense of euphoria or pleasure, leading to a craving for spicy foods.
8. Metabolic Boost:
Some research suggests that spicy foods may temporarily increase metabolism and enhance fat-burning processes in the body. As a result, individuals trying to manage their weight may crave spicy foods as part of their dietary regimen.
9. Cultural Influence:
In many cultures around the world, spicy foods are an integral part of traditional cuisine. Growing up in a culture where spicy foods are prevalent can influence one’s taste preferences and lead to a lifelong craving for heat and spice.
10. Flavor Enhancement:
Spices and chili peppers not only add heat but also enhance the flavor of food. The combination of spicy, savory, and aromatic components can create a more complex and satisfying culinary experience, prompting individuals to seek out spicy dishes.
11. Emotional Comfort:
For some people, eating spicy foods may provide emotional comfort or stress relief. The intense sensory experience of consuming spicy food can serve as a distraction from negative emotions or serve as a form of self-soothing during times of stress or anxiety.
12. Adventurous Palate:
Individuals with adventurous palates may crave spicy foods simply for the thrill of trying new flavors and pushing their taste buds to the limit. The sensation of heat and spice can add excitement and novelty to the dining experience.
13. Social Connection:
Enjoying spicy food can be a social activity, especially in cultures where communal meals are common. Sharing spicy dishes with friends and family can foster a sense of camaraderie and connection, leading to cravings for spicy fare in social settings.
Side effects of spicy food
The participants were asked to rate how effective the tablets were at treating their hemorrhoids. According to the study, the spicy tablets did not affect hemorrhoid symptoms.
Although spicy foods do not cause ulcers, they can cause stomach pain in certain people. According to one study, regular intake of spicy foods can trigger upper gastrointestinal symptoms in certain people with dyspepsia (or, indigestion). Irritable bowel syndrome sufferers may also experience symptoms from spicy foods (IBS).
Foods that are hot and spicy are good for you. Spicy foods do not cause ulcers, but if you have IBS, dyspepsia, or inflammatory bowel disease, you should avoid them (IBD).
In general, if spicy meals cause stomach aches, think twice before eating them.
Spicy food is not the main reason for hemorrhoids, although if you have anal fissures, you may feel the burn. You should avoid spicy meals.
If working with extremely hot peppers, wear gloves. Eat at your own risk if the dish is excessively spicy and has a warning label. Respect that, guys, because that ghost pepper sauce nearly burned my chest hairs off from the inside.
Your desire for spicy foods could be caused by several factors. Spicy food cravings are more likely to occur during pregnancy. Or when you’re trying to eliminate spicy foods from your diet.
Spicy food cravings, on the other hand, could indicate that you’re hot or stuffy.
Whatever your reason for preferring spicy foods, it’s vital to consume them in moderation and eliminate them from your diet if you experience negative side effects like indigestion, nausea, or diarrhea.