Americans have been fed a real load of garbage when it comes to Hispanic food. Hispanic foods, from ceviche to arroz con pollo, we’re told, will kill our hearts and expand our waistlines. Part of the problem is that the most popular food chain in the country for so-called “Hispanic food” is a fast food restaurant. According to a report from MSN Money, Taco Bell will draw in more than $21 billion in revenue by 2021.
The truth is that Hispanic food is neither more nor less healthy than any other type of cuisine. So long as you don’t spend your days eating flan or other popular recetas de postres, Hispanic food can be a great choice for lowering cholesterol, improving heart health, and managing or even preventing a number of other health conditions. Don’t buy it? Here are three commonly used ingredients in Hispanic food that should change your mind.
Three Ingredients That Serve to Make Hispanic Food Great for Your Health
- Chile Peppers: Great for Flavor, Better for the Body
- Olive Oil Comes with a Slew of Health Benefits
- You Know What They Say About Beans
Chiles, from jalapenos to habaneros, are key ingredients in a number of the most famous recetas de comidas. They add that heat that so many of us enjoy. As WebMD writes, chiles not only bring the heat but a number of benefits to our health.
Chiles contain a compound known as capsaicin. This compound is responsible for giving these peppers their heat, but it may also be responsible for curbing appetite, increasing metabolism, and reducing the chances of developing certain types of cancer.
Archaeological evidence from ancient Israel shows that olive oil has likely been in use, both for religious and culinary purposes, since 4000 BCE. In other words, people have known for a long time how delicious this golden liquid is. It’s possible that they also realized it had significant health applications. According to Living Healthy 360, olive oil is shown to reduce blood pressure, improve heart health, and fight off some types of cancer, like that affecting the colon.
The only thing you ever really hear about beans is that they give you gas, and that’s undoubtedly true; however, did you know that beans, one of the staple foods in many Hispanic cultures, are also associated with decreasing levels of bad cholesterol, providing a lot of protein with little fat, and improving digestion? In other words, the health benefits of beans are well worth a little flatulence.
Do you eat a diet primarily consisting of Hispanic food? Do you think it’s a healthy type of cuisine to regularly eat? Let us know your opinion in the comments below. More on this.
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