You might have been travelling around the world and tucked into a spicy dish or cooked up a hot feast at home, but either way, chilli peppers have the ability to spice up any meal and add a bit of extra flavour to a specific dish. Some people absolutely adore them.
For some, the satisfaction some spicy deliciousness provides is hard to beat. They might have grown up with hot dishes at home or discovered a range of tasty chilli pepper-filled treats as they’ve grown older and tried a variety of different cuisines.
For others, though, the thought of eating some burning hot food doesn’t appeal in the slightest, perhaps avoiding chilli unless it’s being featured in the Hot Chilli slot game or in a chocolate bar which might lessen the heat. Adding chilli to your diet can have a range of health benefits, though.
The most valuable characteristic of chilli peppers is the compound capsaicin, a compound that offers a great deal to the human body. Let’s take a look at some of the health benefits eating chilli can provide.
Improves Digestive Health and Metabolism
The aforementioned capsaicin is known to contribute greatly towards both weight loss and gut health. Chilli peppers are linked with an all-around improved gut, with some studies finding that chilli consumption can be a great way of treating stomach ulcers.
Chilli is also packed full of antioxidants and other compounds, which contribute greatly towards a better functioning digestive system, being linked with helping things such as upset stomachs and cramps.
Decreases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes
Known to stop high levels of insulin, chilli peppers help reduce blood sugar levels which can lead to Type 2 Diabetes. People with a high BMI or those who suffer from obesity can reap the rewards from introducing chilli peppers into their diet, for example.
Helps treat headaches and migraines
Capsaicin has been linked with the successful treatment of headaches and migraines. The American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Philadelphia found that out of 18 patients who were given intranasal capsaicin, 13 managed to have full relief by the end of the study.
Improves cardiovascular health
The consumption of chilli peppers has been linked to supporting the cardiovascular system and preventing heart disease thanks to them being packed full of potassium which, combined with folate, can reduce someone’s chances of developing heart disease. Riboflavin and niacin are also present in chilli peppers, with both being linked to healthy cholesterol levels.
It may reduce the risk of developing cancer
This is obviously a huge claim, but according to the American Association for Cancer Research, chilli peppers are responsible for killing cancer cells, namely in people with leukaemia and prostate cancer. Chilli peppers are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which is the reason for these findings.
Fights colds and the flu
Beta-carotene and pro-vitamin A are present in chillis also, two things that have been credited with maintaining a healthy respiratory system. While also aiding both the intestinal and urinary system. The vitamin A and vitamin C in chilli peppers help fight off any infections or illnesses such as colds and the flu, too. As for capsaicin, it has also been linked with relieving any allergies.
Helps with joint pain
Chilli peppers have been linked with helping joint pain. Simply by rubbing the pepper against the skin in order to reduce the presence of Chemical P, a compound that is essentially responsible for sending pain messages to the brain. Capsaicin has been used to treat the likes of joint pain, shingles, and HIV neuropathy in the past.
