11/12/2025
A Nigerian food analogies of the science behind keeping Malice.
Holding on to malice is like leaving a pot of egusi on the fire after the soup is already done everything begins to burn, spoil, and lose its sweetness. That quiet simmer of anger, bitterness, or resentment may feel justified, but inside the body, it behaves like a fire that refuses to die down. Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
🔥 Hormone Surge “Like too much pepper in the pot”
When you hold on to anger, your brain releases cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones are great for short bursts like adding a pinch of ata rodo to brighten a dish. But when you keep replaying the grudge, those hormones stay high, turning into the kind of pepper overload that has you sweating and uncomfortable. This raises blood pressure and spikes blood sugar.
❤️ Heart Strain “As if your heart is pounding fufu nonstop”
Your heart works harder in that constant fight or flight state. Imagine pounding yam for hours without rest something will give. Chronic anger is linked to higher blood pressure and heart disease because the heart is overworking, trying to survive the emotional heat.
🛡️ Immune System Dip “A pot of soup without seasoning”
Cortisol, when elevated for too long, weakens your immune system. It’s like cooking ogbono without crayfish, without pepper, without stock everything becomes flat and vulnerable. Your body becomes less able to fight infection or heal properly.
😴 Sleep Disruption. “Like drinking too much zobo at night”
Malice keeps your mind racing, just like taking a late-night sugary drink and expecting deep sleep. The lack of rest then bounces back, making you even more irritable and stressed.
🍲 Digestive Issues “When stress turns your stomach to jollof that refuses to soften”
The stress hormones disrupt digestion. For some people, it feels like indigestion; for others, stomach pain or flare-ups of issues like IBS. It’s the body’s version of rice that just won’t cook evenly.
🧠 Mental Health Impact “Like eating bitter leaf that was never washed”
Holding resentment can feed anxiety and depression, making everything else taste bitter your mood, your relationships, your outlook.
✨ Feeling angry sometimes is normal, but letting malice sit in your heart is like storing leftover stew for too long it eventually turns sour and starts affecting everything else in your body.
Finding ways to release it whether through honest conversation, prayer, journaling, mindfulness, or even a short walk can help your body return to peace, balance, and sweetness again.
