The History of Spicy Food

Going back in time spicy food is rich and diverse, dating back thousands of years and spanning many cultures around the world.  The early uses of spices to enhance food can be traced back to ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.  Spices then were not only used for flavour but also for their medicinal properties.

Some good reasons to incorporate spicy food into your diet for your health

If you are a lover of sweet or savoury dishes, spices are a plenty and can incorporated into any of your favourite dishes. Its a really satisfying and healthy way to use them. They can even increase two feel-good chemicals in the body — endorphins and dopamine. For your spicy food craving, often late afternoon before dinner and its one you just can’t get rid of.  Remember,  there’s always nuts with a little added extra to satisfy. These can help you cut down on unhealthy fats and sweets that are too easily added as a quick fix for taste.

Work towards to cutting back on sugar and using the power in spices in your snacks and cooking.

Used for thousands of years, capsaicin has antimicrobial and pain-relieving properties and may support heart health, weight loss, and pain management by interacting with TRPV1 nerve receptors throughout the body. You’ll mainly find capsaicin in hot peppers and supplements such as cayenne.

Spices such as tumeric, ginger and garlic have potential anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger, cumin and black pepper are known for their digestive benefits, they can help reduce bloating and the sumptons of indigestion.

Spices such as pepper, cinnamon and ginger were highly prized in ancient times, leading to trade routes such as the famed Silk Road that led to trade between Asia and Europe.

This History of Spicy Food –  Spicy Food and Cultures

The use of spices varies between countries, regions and cultures.  Indian cuisine is known for its curries, bold and complex spice blends that vary in regions across India.  Mexican cuisine often features salsas with fiery peppers, not forgetting Thai tom yum soup and Sichuan hot pot….the list goes on and on.  In Australia we have embraced a huge variety of spices and cooking techniques due to our multi cultural population.

While spicy food can offer many health benefits, its essential to consume them in moderation, especially if you have a sensitive stomach, until you’re sure how much heat and spice is a good thing for you. But incorporating spice into your diet adds not only flavour and depth to your meals but it has the potential to boost your health!

Happy “spicy” eating!!!