People don’t eat just to survive anymore. Food is a form of enjoyment, and cooks must use ingredients that make their dishes interesting. For example, adding chili peppers can turn a boringdish into a flavorful one.
The main reason chilies setour mouths on fire is capsaicin. Certain chili peppers contain lots of capsaicin, which makes them extra spicy. Capsaicin is a fascinating ingredient because it can both cause and relieve pain. The spicy taste can make some people uncomfortable. At the same time, capsaicin blocks signals that tell the brain to feel pain. Because of this property, capsaicin is often added in creams and lotionsto relieve pain on the skin.
Spicy foods can also be good for weight loss. Eating them increases our body temperature, which speeds up our metabolismand burns more calories. Studies suggest that capsaicin may also improve digestion, as it creates more digestive juicesin the stomach. There is also research indicating that it may help prevent cancer and heart disease.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
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flavorful
[ˋflevɚfəl]
a. 美味的
The soup sold at this restaurant is really flavorful.
這家餐廳賣的湯真的很美味。
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flavor
[ˋflevɚ]
n. 口味
vt. 給……調味
=
taste
Chocolate and vanilla are two different flavors.
巧克力和香草是兩種不同的口味。
This dish is flavored with garlic and herbs.
這道菜用蒜頭和香草調味。
高中 Level 3
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signal
[ˋsɪgn!]
vt. 發出信號
n. 號誌；信號
You must obey the traffic signals.
你必須遵守交通號誌。
The referee gave the signal to stop.
裁判做出停止的手勢。
The traffic cop signaled us to pull over.
交通警察對我們打手勢要我們靠邊停車。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
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cream
[krim]
n. （鮮）奶油；護膚霜；藥膏；精華
adj. 奶油色的，米色的
Would you like cream and sugar in your coffee?
請問您的咖啡要加奶精和糖嗎？
Linda puts on face cream before she goes to bed.
琳達在睡覺前都會塗面霜。
Apply the cream to the sore area.
將藥膏塗抹在酸痛的部位。
These students excel in math. In fact, they are the cream of the crop.
這些學生數學棒得不得了。事實上，他們是最頂尖的。
Bess looked pretty in her cream dress and shoes.
貝絲身穿米色的洋裝和鞋子看起來很漂亮。
高中 Level 2
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stomach
[ˋstʌmək]
n. 胃
The smell of stinky tofu always turns Billy’s stomach.
聞到臭豆腐的味道總是讓比利反胃。
高中 Level 3
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research
[rɪˋsɝtʃ]
vt. 研究
Pam researched her family’s history, tracing it back to the 1500s.
小潘研究她的家族史，可追溯到 16 世紀。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
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spicy
[ˋspaɪsi]
adj. （加了香料）辛辣的
Richard is crazy about spicy Indian curry.
理查非常愛吃印度辣咖哩。
高中 Level 1
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boring
[ˋborɪŋ]
adj. 令人厭煩的，無趣的
=
dull
That book is boring. Josh will choose another one to read.
那本書很無趣。喬許要找另一本來看。
高中 Level 1
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lotion
[ˋloʃən]
n. . 乳液
Apply some suntan lotion to your skin in case you get
sunburned.
皮膚塗點防曬乳液以免被曬傷了。
高中 Level 6
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metabolism
[mɛˋtæb!͵ɪzəm]
n. 新陳代謝
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calorie
[ˋkælərɪ]
n. 卡路里
I can’t believe that Anna calculates how many calories she takes in every day.
我不敢相信安娜每天都會計算她攝取了多少卡路里。
高中 Level 4
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digestion
[dəˋdʒɛstʃən]
n. 消化作用
Drinking this tea after dinner is good for digestion.
飯後喝這種茶有益消化。
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
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spice up... / spice... up
增添⋯⋯的趣味
Let's spice up this party and put on some music.
我們來炒熱派對氣氛，放點音樂吧。
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set... on fire
使⋯⋯燃燒
The criminal was arrested by the police after he set a house on fire.
這名罪犯在放火燒房子後被警察逮捕。
