Chili Pepper

Warm Up To The Chili Pepper

Whether you like them mild, medium, or wickedly hot, enjoy your chili peppers—they’re associated with heart health!

A Natural Source Of Capsaicin

Click Here For Heart-Healthy Chili Recipes:
Vegetarian Chili Recipe
From GoodChiliRecipe.com
Three Bean Chili With Chunky Tomatoes
From The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Chili peppers, which are actually fruit pods from plants belonging to the nightshade family, contain capsaicin, a natural heat-generating component. Capsaicin is also known to reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, platelet aggregation, and the risk of blood clots. The amount of capsaicin found in a chili pepper typically ranges from 0 – 1.5% (on an index known as heat units). The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains, and the more nutritional value it provides.

In addition to heart-related health benefits, capsaicin kills helicobacter pylori, bacteria that cause gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, indigestion, and peptic ulcers. It can also trigger the release of endorphins, brain-produced hormones that stimulate feelings of pleasure and happiness. Endorphins typically reduce perceptions of pain, release sex hormones, and increase immune response.

The Chili Pepper Diet?

Chili peppers contain vitamin C, which forms the metabolism-boosting amino acid, carnitine. Capsaicin in chili peppers also increases the production of catecholamine, a hormone known for appetite suppression. So when you look at the ingredients of fat-burning supplements, you’ll often find capsaicin included.

A Final Bite

A word of warning: Avoid touching your eyes after handling food that contains chili peppers. What’s exciting to your tongue can be stinging and painful to your eyes. And although chili peppers can be an acquired taste, especially if you choose ones that turn up the heat, the health benefits—and the exciting taste—are well worth the adventure!

Sources: Medicine.net; Nutrifile.com; Webmd.com