At our
Langosta Beachfront Bed and Breakfast, enjoy our freshly prepared homemade spicy sauce from scratch. Lili makes us her family
recipe every week and creates a wonderful spicy flavor to add to your breakfast.
We also have another local friend, Zach from
Schmidty's Hot Sauce, who provides us with his hot sauce which you are welcome to purchase and take some home as a souvenir.. your family and friends will
love this special and spicy gift!!
We would like to share this article on the benefits of spicy food with you!
Recent research shows that adding some spice to your meal can provide more
health benefits than previously thought. Yes, you heard it right -- in addition
to making your taste buds sizzle, spicy foods comes with some perks. These
include:
Weight-loss:
Hot peppers contain capsaicin, which can speed up metabolism and help the body
burn calories faster. This is because capsaicin increases your body temperature
and contributes to an increase in your heart rate. Furthermore, studies have
shown that people who eat spicy foods eat smaller portions, which can reduce
their calorie intake.
Heart
health: Pungent food is good for heart: Hot peppers help to
improve heart health by improving the body's ability to dissolve blood clots.
Research has shown that low-density cholesterol (LDL or bad cholestrol, which
can clog your arteries) resisted oxidation for a longer period of time when
chillies were added to the diet, thus reducing the heart stroke risk. The
capsaicin in peppers also fights inflammation, which has been identified as a
risk factor for heart disease. Additionally, statistics show that cultures that
eat spicy foods frequently have a much lower rate of heart attacks and stroke.
Improved
circulation: Spicy foods also promote good circulation, and
they appear to lower blood pressure. When you eat spicy food, your body's temperature
is raised; therefore, it increases your blood flow and gets your heart pumping.
Peppers help strengthen the blood vessel walls as they are high in vitamins A
and C.
Anti-cancerous
properties: Many studies have shown that regular consumption of
chillies and curry decrease the risk of cancer. Capsaicin slows the growth of
cancer cells and in some cases, even causes the cancer cells to die off without
harming the surrounding cells. In countries where diets are traditionally high
in capsaicin like India and Mexico, people tend to have lower rates of some
cancers.
Improved
digestion: Spices also improve your digestion because they
increase the hydrochloric secretion of your stomach. This in turn will increase
blood flow to the stomach and even increase the mucous lining. Capsaicin also
helps to kill bacteria like H. pylori and helps to prevent or cure stomach
ulcers. However, if you get heartburn from spicy foods, try taking an antacid
relief tablet which will neutralise acids in the stomach.
Arthritis:
Turmeric (
haldi) reduces joint inflammation and bone
destruction. Circumin present in turmeric helps to alleviate the pain
associated with arthritis.
Cold
and flu: Capasicin promotes sweating and eases the discomfort
of cold and flu symptoms. It also helps to open up the nasal passages. It may
also reduce sinusitis, and other flu symptoms.
Improved
sleep patterns: Australian researchers have found that people
who regularly consumed spicy meals fell asleep more easily. They also woke up
easier and had more energy throughout the day.
Mood
lifters: Chillie peppers boost the level of endorphins and
serotonin, both of which dull pain and give us a feeling of wellbeing. They can
act as depression fighters and powerful stress relievers.
Improved
breathing: Hot peppers act as an expectorant, and can help
people with asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, sinusitis and other
respiratory conditions breathe easier. Hot peppers can help you to breathe
better by opening up clogged nasal passages.
It is important to take spicy foods moderately, especially if you have a
sensitive stomach or simply a low tolerance for them. Learn to have your food
medium-spicy and hot to enjoy the amazing heath benefits that go along with it.
(Source: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2010/mar/11ten-health-benefits-of-spicy-food.htm)
Our beachfront hotel in Playa Langosta is the perfect setting for your next Costa Rica vacation.
