While adding some spice to your diet might not always be good for your digestive system, it can help increase circulation and make you healthier. A report published in November 2003 on the website Science Daily discusses the many benefits of capsaicin for improved circulation. Capsaicin is the chemical compound found in a variety of peppers that gives them heat. Capsaisin releases a neurotransmitter that tricks the nerves into feeling pain and burning sensations. As a result, the body increases its heart rate, pumping blood faster to increase metabolism, sweating and salivation.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor before starting a new pepper regimen. Those with irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers should not increase pepper consumption.
Step 2
Add hot peppers to your diet daily. The hotter the pepper, the more capcaisin it contains. Heat is measured in Scoville units. Bell peppers rate zero, cherry peppers rate up to 50 Scoville units, chipolte rate between 5,000 to 8,000 Scoville units while Texas chiltepin has a Scoville rating between 100,000 to 265,000.
Step 3
Use peppers in stir-fry, chili and taco recipes. Make these dishes as hot as you like them, adjusting heat by reducing pepper quantity for extremely hot peppers.
Step 4
Make stuffed peppers with cheese or sour cream. Dairy contains casein, which helps offset the heat of the peppers, making it more palatable for those who don't like spicy foods.
Step 5
Choose bright colored peppers. Usually the hottest peppers are smaller red peppers. The bhut jolokai is an Indian pepper recorded to have the highest heat.
Step 6
Pickle peppers in one part vinegar, two parts water and one part sugar. Use this as a condiment for other dishes. Store bought hot pepper or chile sauce is another alternative condiment. Some chile pepper sauce has a Scoville rating of 30,000 to 50,000.
Step 7
Use a supplement instead of peppers if you are unable to eat peppers in cooking. You can buy capsaicin capsules to take alone or with other daily vitamins. Take 30 to 120 mg of capsaicin up to three times daily.
