If you like spicy food like chilies, curry and hot sauces, you're in luck.
The compound that makes chilies hot is called capsaicin and the one that gives curry its spiciness is curcumin found in turmeric.
Both have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help our bodies in a number of ways: Arthritis: Turmeric has been shown to reduce joint inflammation and bone destruction in a 2006 study of arthritic mice.
Cancer: Many studies have shown that regular consumption of chilies and curry decreases the risk of cancer.
Both capsaicin and curcumin have been shown to kill cancer cells without damaging healthy cells in separate studies in 2007.
Curcumin reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
Alzheimer's Disease: A 2006 study found that the elderly who consumed curry often are almost half as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment as those who don't or never have eaten spicy food.
Curcumin may be able to slow the process of plaque formation of plaques in the brain.
Heart: Chili peppers and capsaicin help the body to dissolve blood clots, fight inflammation which is a heart disease risk, lower blood pressure and improve circulation.
Lungs: Capsaicin helps people with chronic lung conditions like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema by acting as an expectorant.
Cold and Flu: Capasicin cause us to perspire which helps with cold and flu.
It also helps to open up the nasal passages.
Weight Control: Capsaicin speeds up metabolism which helps the body to burn more calories faster.
It also suppresses appetite and helps kill fat cells.
Pain Relief: Capsaicin has been shown to decrease the levels of a neurotransmitter that signals pain and it is used as a cream to relieve pain in arthritis, nervous system problems, psoriasis, post surgery and the effects of chemotherapy.
Moods: Chili peppers boost the level of endorphins that dull pain and give us a feeling of well being.
It has long been used as a medicine for depression.
Bacteria: Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
Sinus: The potent antibacterial properties of capsaicin help to fight and prevent sinus infections and also stimulates secretions that help clear mucus from the nose and relieve sinus-related allergy symptoms.
Liver: Turmeric is a natural liver detoxifier.
Intestine: Capsaicin helps to kill bacteria like H.
pylori and help to prevent or cure stomach ulcers.
There are literally hundreds of chili varieties out there and the hotter they are the more capsaicin they contain.
Until recently, the Habanero Pepper was thought to be the hottest chili with a Scoville Unit heat scale score of 300,000 but in 2000, a chili from India's Assam state called the Naga Jolokia clocked in at a scorching 855,000, almost three times as hot.
Pure capsaicin measures in at 16 million Scoville Units while most popular varieties come in at about 30,000.
Most of the heat in a chili is found in the ribs and seeds.
Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful medicines and has been used in India for thousands of years.
The medicinal properties of curcumin in turmeric are becoming known to the western world slowly.
Turmeric can be consumed in many ways besides curry and the uses are limited only by your imagination.
For example, you can use it to color rice and add it to egg salad.
But like all newer foods, you should check with your physician for any contraindications that may apply to you.