Going Crazy from the Heatwave? Time to Take a Bite of a Spicy Pepper
Traditionally, cuisines in hot countries were based on spicy foods. Yes, they knew something we've forgotten.
(Photo: shutterstock)The heatwave that has hit the country in recent days might tempt you to eat popsicle after popsicle, but if you want to follow the scientific recommendation – you would do better to eat a spicy pepper.
Sounds strange? Notice that spicy foods always come from hot countries. Whether it's Morocco or India, hot weather traditionally led the residents of these countries to escape to spicy and seasoned food. Why? The secret is in the sweat.
Spicy peppers get their heat from a chemical called capsaicin. The effect of this chemical on the body is dramatic: when you eat a spicy pepper, it stimulates receptors in the skin that typically respond to heat, so the body reacts as it would to a heat stroke: the face flushes and sweat flows. What's burning in your mouth burns in your whole system.
And why would you want to sweat when it's already hot? Because sweating is one of the main natural mechanisms for handling heat. When sweat evaporates, it also takes heat away from your body. Therefore, researchers recommend: if you want to cool down as fast as possible – eat a spicy pepper. Just don't forget to drink water at the same time, so you don't dehydrate.
And what if you can't handle spicy food? Don't worry. Even if your menu has been completely bland until now, studies prove that you can build up a tolerance for spicy food by eating it every day, gradually increasing the amount. What wouldn't you do to cool down faster?
