The next time you are feeling a little down or have some pain try eating something spicy. There’s a science to it! Here’s why Some Like it Hot!

Hot, spicy foods that contain capsaicin (responsible for that somewhat-pleasant burning sensation) found in curry, chilies, or other hot peppers such as cayenne, to help trigger endorphins. These hormones are what make people feel good and well balanced. In fact, endorphins are like a natural morphine that helps ease pain and provide a sense of well being.

People living in Mexico and India who eat a spicy diet tend to have lower rates of certain cancers than those eating a bland Western diet.

There are additional health benefits of adding spicy foods to your diet. A spicy diet protects stomach lining, capsaicin can kill lung and pancreatic cancer cells, protects against cholesterol buildup in blood, reduces insulin requirements and reduces gastric acid.

The best remedy to the burning sensation of capsaicin is to build up a tolerance to it.