This thread made me curious as to /why/ spicy food is good. It looks like even though spicy food hurts, that pain releases endorphins which make us feel good. I think this makes logical sense but also spicy things (like hot sauce and peppers) are eaten alongside a lot of other foods I find good, like cheese and potatoes. So I think there is an objective, scientific reason that spicy food elicits a positive reaction, but also subjective, taste-based reasons why spicy food is good. Why Spicy Food Hurts So Good: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/why-spicy-foods-hurt-good/

**TL;DR – Many people have a love-hate relationship with spicy food. Those who love it, feel incomplete without that “extra” something. Whereas, those who dislike it, prefer to be safe than sorry. So while food preferences are wide and varied, especially where spicy food is concerned, the burning question still remains: Is spicy food more beneficial (than not) for one’s health?** According to Linda Carroll (2016), there are both pros and cons to eating spicy foods. The first advantage is that it promotes longevity. This is based on a study conducted in 2015 where half a million Chinese people ate spicy food six times a week. Overall, it was found to reduce their risk of death. The second advantage is that it can lead to weight loss. For instance, studies have shown that hot peppers can help control appetite and speed up the metabolism. Additionally, in a 2011 study, researchers from Purdue University also found that people felt more satiated after eating spicy foods, while an earlier study found that people consumed less fat after eating high amounts of hot peppers. Other advantages include pain relief, anti-inflammatory, as well as, anti-microbial effects, which can all be attributed to the active component known as capsaicin – found in chili peppers. Also, some of the disadvantages (for quite a few people) that Caroll mentions include the burning sensation in one’s mouth, the fact that capsaicin is a blood thinner, and lastly scorched hemorrhoids. So as you can see, spicy food can be good (or bad) for you depending on you the individual. Are spicy foods good for you? The health effects of heat in your meal https://www.today.com/health/spicy-foods-health-effects-adding-heat-your-meal-t73591 [accessed February 3, 2021].