Diet and nutrition play a big role in maintaining your health and this is a fact that cannot be denied. The idea that selecting the right foods to eat and avoiding those that are not beneficial is equally necessary to maintain good health and avoid diseases is undeniable. Nutritionists and health practitioners across the world highlight the necessity of both micronutrients and macronutrients from food sources so that your body can absorb them and run the way it’s supposed to.
Chili (also called “Chilli”) is considered as one of the best spices used in the kitchen. It is a food source packed with nutrients – micronutrients in particular. Chilies are used in cooking, pickles and other processed foods. Red chillies are used as dried as well as powder both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian cooking. Due to its universal use, it is known as “the Queen of Spices”.
Here are some health benefits of Chillies:
- Vitamin C: Fresh red and green chilli are rich in vitamin C, which helps in protecting from scurvy, develop the immune system and works against free radicals.
- Antioxidants: Chilli pepper is abundant with antioxidants such as vitamin A, flavonoids, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin. All these antioxidants help to fight against free radicals thereby save the body from many diseases.
- Vitamins: Chilli is loaded with vitamins like niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamine.
- Fight Inflammation: In a recent study, it has been shown that a diet containing hot chillies reduces the risk of cancer. As per many clinical studies, it has been shown that natural capsaicin slows down the growth of leukaemia cells and helps to prevent prostate cancer.
- Lose Weight: Capsaicin is thermogenic in nature, which helps to activate metabolism adipose layer of the body thereby helps to melt fat to a certain extent.
Despite the crazy health benefits of chillies, it also has its downsides that need to be considered before taking or consuming chillies. Chillies shouldn’t be used by a person who has the problems of acidity, hyper-acidity, ulcer and stomach burning as it can further upset your stomach. Thus, assessment of self-condition before consuming it is very important and avoiding chillies if you have one of the above mentioned conditions must be made to prevent untoward effects.
NO II Joanna Marie E. Baltazar
References:
- Health Benefits of Hot Peppers
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-foods-hot-peppers-benefits
- Health Benefits of Chili, Chili Peppers and Chili Powder
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chili-peppers#1
- Chili Peppers 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects