Why You Should Eat Spicy Food In The Morning

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so it's been said. This ever present cliché has been thrown around and worn out to the point of being considered a myth by some. More an advertising tactic than a legitimate nutritional recommendation, this phrase helped perpetuate the interests of lobbyists and companies associated with the production and sales of "typical" breakfast foods, according to The Guardian. It may surprise you to learn that the idea of "breakfast food" didn't originate until the late 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, when the start of breakfast cereals began their takeover, and spending the day at work became a consideration in what people ate in the morning.

It is likely that when you think of breakfast foods, images of nostalgic sugary cereals, eggs and bacon, pancakes, bagels, and even oatmeal may come to mind. You might associate breakfast with sweetness, even savory flavors to some extent; but have you ever considered adding spiciness to the mix? Consuming your favorite spicy foods with your morning meal may benefit your overall well-being more than meets the eye.

First, it is important to note the many advantages of spicy foods in general. A common and easily accessible ingredient to incorporate into your breakfast is chile peppers, which carry a specific type of compound known as capsaicin, according to Piedmont. Capsaicin is used in topical creams and patches due to its pain-relieving qualities. Consuming this compound can reduce inflammation and help lessen the supply of neurotransmitter Substance P, which is responsible for delivering pain cues to your brain.

Capsaicin has also been linked to mood improvement, according to Piedmont, as the body's response to heat is to produce endorphins, which help reduce stress. It can also improve your digestive and gut health due to its stimulation of the microbiomes residing in the gastrointestinal tract, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

You can also integrate spices that pack some zestiness into your breakfast, like ginger, which is often used to relieve symptoms of nausea, bloating, and constipation, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Additionally, cinnamon has several health benefits, including reducing inflammation, high blood sugar, and cholesterol, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Individuals who may struggle with feelings of bloating, heartburn, or additional health issues, or even those who don't, may see extended improvements in their overall well-being by consuming spicy or spice-enriched foods in the morning or as the first meal of their day. According to The Huffington Post, in order to gain the most out of these nutrients, it is recommended to consume these foods earlier in the day to allow for more time for absorption into the body. In some cases, people have more difficulty processing spicy ingredients later in the day, so eating them early can provide a good head start.

With all this in mind, you may be wondering how exactly to include these ingredients into your breakfast. On the simpler end of things, try tossing in some chopped jalapeños with your scrambled eggs (or just a dash of your favorite hot sauce), sprinkle some cayenne pepper or paprika in your omelet, or, if you're feeling fancy, try jalapeño biscuits and gravy. A chile relleno breakfast casserole may also be right up your alley. If you're looking to take the sweeter route, cinnamon's warm spiciness makes for a perfect ingredient in dishes like oatmeal, pancakes, or a cinnamon roll bread pudding.