Chilies are native to the Americas but are now grown all over the world. They include bell peppers, chili peppers, jalapenos, tabasco and Thai peppers, habanero, rocoto peppers, and more.
Anyone who loves their food with a bit of kick knows that the chili peppers are an important staple food in your daily diet. They bring a lot of flavor and add a touch of color to your dish. But did you know that chili peppers are also considered a superfood for the health benefits they bring to your diet?
Properties and benefits of chili peppers
- Antioxidants. Capsaicin, which is found in chili peppers, is what gives them the heat. But it is also an antioxidant that promotes health and gives your metabolism a boost! Although it has no dietary content (calories or additional nutrients), it has been shown to help with weight loss by increasing metabolism. Some studies have also shown that it can help fight cancer cells.
- Fights infections. Chili peppers have 108% of the daily vitamin C requirement per tablespoon. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps your body resist infectious agents and helps eliminate radicals that cause cancer in your body. It also helps strengthen the integrity of vessels, bones, organs, and skin. Chili peppers are a source of vitamin A, vitamin B-6, and iron. In fact, the vitamin C contained in chili peppers will help you better absorb the iron they contain.
- Lowers blood pressure. Every tablespoon of chili pepper contains 145 milligrams of potassium and very little sodium. This means that chili peppers can help prevent or reduce hypertension by ensuring proper blood flow.
- Lowers cholesterol. Some studies have shown that the capsaicin in chili peppers improves cholesterol by making blood vessels more resistant to oxidized LDL. It can also help by breaking down cholesterol and removing it from the body.
- Relieves pain. Capsaicin can be used topically to help reduce pain by reducing inflammation. Although it is not a cure, capsaicin is the active ingredient in several topical arthritis medications, muscle strain/sprain treatments, and shingles pain relief. Adding chili peppers to the diet can also help with cluster headaches and neuropathic pain.
- Helps with weight loss. Capsaicin in chili peppers helps increase our metabolism and improves weight loss.
