Consider this article your license to spice up your diet up a bit: Studies have found that adding red chili peppers to your food may help prevent some health issues.
This bright red spice originated in the Americas but is grown in several other countries such as India, the Philippines, India, Japan, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, and Korea.
Rich in Vitamins
Chilies are high in vitamin C and E, which both contain lots of health benefits. Vitamin C proves helpful in improving the body’s natural immunity. In times of cold or flu, chilies can cause an immediate release in a blocked nose and reduce cold. As an option, you can also take chili tea made from Cayenne pepper powder. You only need to mix the powder with hot or warm water and drink to relieve the cold and flu.
Also, the vitamin E found in chilies help in maintaining excellent skin health. This vitamin triggers the production of a number of natural skin oils that maintain the skin’s natural elasticity. This is very vital in maintaining a youthful and glowing skin. These anti-aging benefits are direct consequences of a regular consumption of chilies and can inhibit certain signs of aging.
While the vitamin K in chilies, especially the green ones helps in staving off the risk of excessive bleeding from injuries and osteoporosis. Preventing osteoporosis can prove very helpful especially at old age. And because chili is rich iron, it also helps in improving blood health.
Lowers Blood Sugar
When blood sugar is high, it can result in diabetes and may either support weight gain or weight loss depending on the type of diabetes. However, chilies are able to induce a breakdown of sugars to help improve the blood sugar level and alleviate diabetics.
An increase in blood sugar may be due to several factors such as an increased intake of carbohydrates, consuming too much of sweet delicacies, and adding extra sugar in beverages and fruit juices. When the body is burdened with more sugar than it needs, the body’s blood sugar level rises.
Although diabetes itself is a sign that there are other major health problems, being cautious of the sugar level in your diet can be beneficial to overall health. For those trying to shed some weight, including chilies in their diet can help in speeding up weight loss while also lowering blood sugar levels. For starters, you can add small quantities of chilies to your food.
Perfect for Diets
The calorie count of chilies is low, making them the perfect ingredient for your diet. Chili can actually be added to any dish. In fact, for people who have a high tolerance for spices, other veggies can be substituted with chilies.
Promotes Digestion and Good Mood
Over time, chili has proven to help in releasing endorphins. Okay, if you ever get that ‘feel good’ feeling after a really spicy meal, most often than not it has to do with the chilies. A meal rich in endorphins can be used as an antidepressant and in improving mood.
Also, chili is rich in dietary fiber capable of breaking down food and aiding proper digestion. Smooth digestion means an ease of absorption of food and nutrients in the body. A dish made with chili also prepares the body to take in nutrients from food faster and better.
Unlike what most people think, a spicy meal can aid digestion especially for people who experience bloating or indigestion. Consuming more chilies in a diet can improve digestion and relieve bloating in a matter of minutes.
Improves Blood Circulation
Have you ever noticed how that after consuming chilies, you immediately start feeling a burning sensation in your mouth? Sometimes, the feeling might even extend to all over the body.
Interestingly, this burning sensation helps in dilating blood vessels which in turn improves blood circulation in the body. Due to this, there may be an increase in the brightness in the complexion of the skin.
Prevent Infections
Chilies are popular for their anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, they also have anti-bacterial properties. Both properties can cleanse the stomach naturally help in maintaining a balanced and healthy level of good bacteria in the stomach.
Therefore, chilies help in preventing stomach infections and flu. For those prone to food-induced stomach infections and flu, increasing their chili consumption could be the answer.
Maintains Prostate Health
It is really important for men to maintain good prostate health. And since chilies are made up of antioxidant components, they can help in maintaining a healthy prostate. Additionally, chilies can help in preventing cancer by stopping the degeneration of cells. With its anti-aging components, it prevents a host of degenerative diseases when consumed in a diet.
Inhibits Stroke
Some people swear that cayenne tea can reduce post-operation risks and even strokes. This is understandable as the spice can dilate blood vessels, thus lowering the risk of strokes.
Improves Lung Health
Chilies have been associated with several lung health issues. As a matter of fact, a study conducted on smokers showed that smokers experience little damage to their lungs when they eat more chilies.
For people living in polluted areas, consuming more chilies would help in maintaining lung health.
