Hot peppers do much more than give a burning sensation on your tongue. Each pepper has its own distinct flavor. Peppers vary in heat, from the mild jalapeno to the hottest ghost pepper. Aside from their burning sensations, hot peppers are little bombshells of health benefits. Always consult your physician before consuming foods for their purported health benefits.
Protective Effects
Hot peppers are rich in anti-oxidants. A search of the USDA's Nutrient Database reveals that just one raw hot green chili has 109 mg of vitamin--more than 100 percent of the recommended daily intake. "Food: Your Miracle Medicine" points out that hot peppers protect from bronchitis and emphysema. Contrary to popular belief, hot peppers protect against stomach ulcers, not cause them. When you get a bad cold, eating hot peppers or hot sauce may help break up congestion and open sinus cavities.
A Natural Painkiller
In "Food: Your Miracle Medicine," hot peppers are discussed for their property of acting as a natural painkiller. Capsaicin, the compound found in the veins and seeds of peppers that give them their heat, produces a natural aspirin when used to make hot paprika. When inhaled, capsaicin alleviates headaches; it can be injected to diminish joint pain. Never attempt to self-medicate with capsaicin and ensure that you discuss any possible medical benefits with your physician.
Chronic Disease Prevention
Hot peppers prevent against blood clot damage by boosting the body's ability to dissolve existing clots, according to "Food: Your Miracle Medicine." A study in "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" points out capsaicin's effectiveness against the mutation of DNA and the development of tumors in lab tests that show a correlation with cancer prevention.
Metabolism
"Health" magazine raves about the benefits of capsaicin. In an article by Andrea Giancoli, hot peppers are listed among the top three foods that spike metabolism and help to burn fat.
References
- USDA Nutrient Database
- "Food: Your Miracle Medicine: Preventing and Curing Common Health Problems the Natural Way"; Jean Carper; 1993
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Spicing Up a Vegetarian Diet: Chemopreventive Effects of Phytochemicals; Johanna Lamp; September 2003
- "Health"; Eat This, Burn Fat; Andrea Giancoli; March 2010
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