Spicy Food: When To Say No?
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Spicy food (What wine goes well with spicy food?) is not for everyone; nonetheless, spicy food is beloved all around the world! People who don’t like spicy foods often wonder why the devotion to this kind of food - it burns your tongue, it makes you sweat, it causes discomfort, but people with enough tolerance to enjoy eating spicy food seem unfazed and unaffected by it.
Some say the spicy flavor improves the taste of the dish and makes it more appetizing, and it is difficult to disagree, seeing the satisfied look on people’s sweaty faces after a feast.
Texans are no strangers to spicy foods, and many of us have the stomach for it, trained in eating a wide variety of spicy dishes considering the many influences that shape Texas cooking through the years - German, Czech, British, African American, Creole/Cajun, Mexican, Native American, Asian, Jewish, and Italian cuisines. Today, the food landscape in Texas reflects a diverse cultural backdrop with the presence of restaurants representing the cuisines of different countries, and each one - Thai, Korean, Mexican, European - has a spicy specialty that Texans enjoy.
Eating in Texas, it is not surprising to encounter spicy barbecue on the menu, or to see a customer slathering their steak with hot sauce (how long does hot sauce last?), or to have an order of tacos with spicy jalapeno filling. If you visit one of our homes, don't be surprised if we offer you a spicy Texas-style chili on the table. Everything is big in Texas, and spicy too! An online article names Austin and Dallas as two of the top five US cities where people often order spicy food (College Station and Houston made it to the top 20 while San Antonio is 21st on the list).
And why not? Science and medicine have already established the health benefits of eating spicy foods - it helps keep our heart healthy, promotes weight loss, improves metabolism, helps manage pain, and prevents the development of ulcers. Eating spicy food results in "14 percent relative risk reduction in total mortality".
So Why Say No?
We’re not here to say spicy food is bad; rather, we are here to caution you. Before you say yes to that bowl or plate of spicy food, first, consider these:
Fresh Breath is Foremost
If you have an important face-to-face meeting later, I suggest you forego eating spicy food. Sure, you can brush your teeth, gargle mouthwash, and have breath mints. But you won't know when your heartburn - induced by spicy food - would flare up and the gas that travels to your esophagus to your mouth will give you bad breath. That is the kind of embarrassment not worth a delicious plate of spicy food!
Flawless Skin is Fundamental
Being particular about the condition of your skin is not being superficial, especially if skin problems will have a big impact on your career and self-esteem. If that is the case, it is better to avoid indulging in spicy foods. Sure, have some every once in a while. But avoid making spicy foods part of your daily diet. For added precaution, tone down your level of preferred spiciness. No one likes acne or eczema, and spicy food can irritate the skin to trigger a flare-up.
When Sweaty is Not Sexy
That sweaty look you are going for? There is a time and place for that. If you are in a gym, looking all sweaty is natural, normal, and acceptable. But on a first date or during an office meeting? That’s a big NO. So say no to spicy foods if it is not a great time to get sweaty. Why risk feeling embarrassed when you can enjoy eating spicy food another time?
Having the Run and There is Nowhere to Run
Maybe you are on the road and you are not sure if there will be a clean restroom you can use, or you have an important appointment and you cannot risk having diarrhea as a problem and a hassle. In any case, it is prudent to just stay away from eating spicy foods, which are known to cause diarrhea.
Be Suspicious of Sodium
Say no to the hot sauce if you have a medical condition aggravated by high sodium content. Unless you can verify that it is low in sodium, the smart choice is to keep the hot sauce away. Hot sauce, which is a staple in the table of those who love to eat spicy food, is notorious for its high sodium content, and sodium can elevate blood pressure which is not good if you are managing high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
Save your Stomach from Suffering
Eating spicy food is not advisable if you've developed acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and spicy foods trigger it, if you are suffering from gastritis, and if you have a history of IBS, ulcerative colitis, or dyspepsia. Spicy foods can trigger acid reflux or GERD and if it does, it is best to avoid spicy foods rather than suffer the discomfort. Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Eating spicy food will worsen your gastritis and it can trigger gastrointestinal syndromes.
Serious Side Effects
Say no to spicy food if you want to improve your chances of avoiding Alzheimer's or cancer in later life. A 15-year study involving 4,582 respondents found evidence that eating spicy food can contribute to poor memory and cognition in later life. The result of the study was made public in 2019.
Another research suggests that eating too many spicy foods increases the chances of cancer. Research published in the Chinese Medical Journal noted that "higher level of spicy food intake may be associated with an increased incidence of cancer".
The spicy truth. Do not be afraid to eat spicy foods. They are delicious and they are good for our overall well-being. But always remember to eat spicy foods in moderation (try this Beef Chili Nachos recipe from TexasRealFood, yummy, but without the overpowering spicy flavor). Anything done in excess is oftentimes not good for you. It is also important to be mindful of our condition from time to time, and if it is better to say no to spicy food in the meantime, do not worry because once you are feeling better and everything's alright, you can always return to feasting on spicy foods! Keep in mind that your well-being should always come first.
It's no surprise that spicy food makes you feel fiery. But did you know that eating spicy food also encourages mindful eating? Find out how here.
For a dinner that’s out of the ordinary, try making Korean BBQ at home! It’s fun to do with friends and you can control how spicy you want it to be.
Looking for the best BBQ restaurants in San Antonio?
