Five Surprising Health Benefits of Chili Peppers
The health benefits of chili peppers sound surprising for an apparent reason—chilis hurt and make your eyes tear up!
Whether you are looking for spices to try for the new year or adding zest to a healthy diet, the health benefits of chili peppers cannot be overstated.
They are fruits of the pepper plant, Capsicum annuum—known for its hot flavor. Chili peppers exist in many varieties, like Jalapeno, Cayenne and the renowned Bhut jolokia (Ghost Pepper).
The plant chemical capsaicin is the reason chilis hurt the way they do. You can either use them fresh, dry or grind them into powder, like paprika—powdered red chili.
Chili peppers are not only useful for adding flavor to food. They are also beneficial to your health. Therefore this article will discuss five surprising health benefits of chili peppers. Read on to learn more!
Health Benefits of Chili Peppers
Believe it or not, chilis are not the crazy villains out to ruin your sumptuous meal. You benefit significantly from adding chilis to your meals. Here are some surprising health benefits of chili peppers you probably didn’t know.
Digestive wellness
Digestive disorders exist on a spectrum, from constipation to severe cases like irritable bowel syndrome. Fortunately, the capsaicin in chili peppers acts as an anti-irritant and contains antioxidant properties to help with most digestive issues. For instance, the heat from chilis effectively dissipates intestinal gas and soothes cramps–Perfect for bloating and menstrual discomfort.
Additionally, capsaicin stimulates the production of saliva and gastric juices to aid digestion. Unfortunately, you should limit or regulate your consumption of chilis if you have stomach ulcers.
Cardiovascular benefits
Cardiovascular benefits –Heart and blood vessels are part of the health benefits of chili peppers most people overlook. The heat generated lowers blood cholesterol and reverses blood clotting. It also dilates the blood vessels to allow the free movement of blood and other body fluids within the blood vessels.
Metabolic health benefits of chili benefits
The capsaicin in chili raises the body’s resting metabolic rate by increasing the internal temperature. As a result, it promotes weight loss by burning extra calories and conserves body heat–a valid reason for consuming more chili-based foods during cold seasons.
They help your body fight common infections
Chilis warm the internal environment to fend off common infections affecting the respiratory tract, like flu and colds. The reason is that chilis are rich in antioxidants to support the immune system–your body’s natural defense system. The health benefits of chili peppers is evident in the heat from capsaicin that opens up congested airways. It does this by raising the overall body temperature. This way, your antibodies are energized to fight all body invaders, like some common fungal and viral strains.
Rich in micronutrients
Chilis are high in micronutrient content that helps maintain overall health and wellness.
Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs in little or trace amounts for optimal body function and nutrition.
Additionally, chili peppers contain some carbohydrates, protein and fiber. They are also low in calories. As a result, they do not encourage weight gain. These spices contain Vitamins C, B, A, and K. Red chilis have a higher vitamin A content because they are rich in beta carotene.
Final Thought
Chilis are generally consumed in small amounts because of their hot flavor. As a result, they do not contribute to your primary nutritional content. So now that you know the health benefits of chili peppers, you have more reasons to use them to spice up your dishes.
Check out our Chilie Set for an assortment of flavor and heat!
