How hot is too hot for you? Do you settle for nothing less than a Carolina Reaper, or would you prefer to know whether or not red chili peppers can benefit you as much as the hellfire from the Reaper’s fire pits? Fortunately, chili pepper benefits don’t require a medical visit with flaming breath. You won’t need to be able to spit fire and burn down villages to benefit from chili peppers. Instead, today you’ll discover the many benefits of the key ingredient in hot chili peppers. Note you won’t need to fear a mouth of hellfire or have milk handy to embrace the benefits.
Dr. Robert Schmerling from Harvard states that chili peppers may have various health benefits because of the famous ingredient: capsaicin (25). But first, let’s discover the contents of chili peppers.
Not all chilies are equal. WebMD warns that in Mexico, the word chile can refer to any kind of pepper, including sweet and mild ones (17). In most other places, the word chile refers to hot peppers. This article focuses on the benefits of eating hot chilies with a vital ingredient called capsaicin.
Some varieties include:
You’ll need to eat chili peppers with some capsaicin to benefit from them. A suitable method of rating the capsaicin in chili is to use the Scoville heat scale. The official Scoville Heat Scale measures capsaicin levels ranging from zero to over 1.6 million Scoville heat units (SHU) (12).
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Red Chili peppers are standard. The USDA shares the following nutritional facts for a 45g red chili pepper (14).
Red chili peppers are more common than most, adding spicy hues to food, drinks, and more. Eating them dried, powdered, or fresh may bring numerous benefits. Let’s see what you can do with red chili and other peppers.
Dr. Rex Hamilton recommends adding bell peppers to food to slow down age-related macular degeneration (21). Bell peppers contain vitamins A and C and carotenoids, which may delay age-related vision loss.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology found that capsaicin blocks the reduction in collagen synthesis caused by UV damage in vitro and in mice (7). This means capsaicin might slow down skin aging.
The Nagoya City University studied how capsaicin could help people with alopecia regrow hair (2). Alopecia is a horrid condition that causes hair loss. However, capsaicin and isoflavone combined may increase insulin-like growth factor 1 to encourage hair growth.
The National Institute of Agricultural Sciences confirmed that chili peppers contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (4). They only focused on the capsicum annuum type of chili. Still, suggested its use to fight oxidative stress and inflammation successfully.
The Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group found that the antibacterial properties of hot chili peppers may work against bacterial infections (3). The results were incredible because capsaicin might even help your body fight bacterial infections, which are resistant to medicine and antibiotics.
The Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group found that the antibacterial properties of hot chili peppers work against influenza (3). The results were incredible because capsaicin could help your body fight bacterial infections resistant to medicine and antibiotics.
The ingredients in hot chili peppers can stop pain signals. The FDA approved a capsaicin patch to reduce neuropathic pain signals (20). Neuropathic pain is related to nervous system damage, and capsaicin successfully stops the pain signals at the source.
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Chili pepper in water benefits sounds odd. Still, it is said to help with discomfort and ailments. Let’s discover how using chili pepper water might help you feel better.
Ego Pharmaceuticals’ Department of Research and Development reviewed multiple topical treatments for itchy skin related to atopic dermatitis (5). They mention that capsaicin has been reported as an effective treatment for the itch, but one recent study found that capsaicin made the itch worse.
The Advanced Sinus and Allergy Center suggests that chili pepper may help to unblock a runny nose in some cases (6). That said, it cannot cure chronic sinusitis.
The National Headache Foundation suggests that intranasal capsaicin might reduce pain from migraines and cluster headaches (11). The researchers from one study believe that the ingredient may show promising effects against headaches because it desensitizes the trigeminal nerve and inhibits a certain neurotransmitter.
Possible dietary benefits include improving metabolism, fat-burning abilities, and insulin absorption. So, let’s see how chili peppers may benefit your diet.
The University of Vermont College of Medicine conducted a large cohort study on red chili peppers to see how it relates to mortality (24). They found that consumption of red chili peppers was associated with a reduced risk of death from any cause. This suggests that chili pepper might have some benefit to health, although it is not clear specifically why.
The Peking Union Medical College Hospital reviewed the mechanisms by which red chili peppers might affect metabolism (13). Capsaicin in red chili peppers may reduce appetite, increase fat burning, and increase energy expenditure – all of which could be helpful for weight loss.
Qatar’s Weill Cornell Medicine studied chili peppers as a body weight-loss food (10). They describe how chili pepper may aid weight loss by increasing energy expenditure and improving insulin control.
Read More: Pepper Health Benefits: Why Your Diet Should Have Bell Peppers, Cayenne Pepper, And Black Pepper
Chili peppers don’t stop with gut health and weight loss. The possible health benefits of hot chili peppers and capsaicin extend to your overall wellness. Let’s see how it achieves improved wellness.
India’s Amity University Uttar Pradesh found that capsaicin can alter the redox status of red blood cells. (19). They suggest that this could have a protective effect against age-related diseases.
Korea’s Ehwa Women’s University reviewed how effective capsaicin is in treating various pains, including joint pain (16). Capsaicin continues to shut down pain signals from the brain, resulting in reduced joint pain. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory effect may reduce pain further.
China’s Third Military Medical University discovered how eating spicy food with capsaicin can improve cognitive functions and prevent memory loss (23). Eating spicy foods showed positive results in the biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
China’s Third Military Medical University found that eating spicy food with capsaicin may improve cognitive functions and prevent memory loss (23). Eating spicy foods was associated with higher cognition scores and fewer biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The American Heart Association reviewed data from 4 large international studies, including 570,000 individuals (22). After careful analysis, the studies revealed that eating chili pepper may reduce the risk of death from heart disease by 26%.
The American Heart Association found another incredible benefit when reviewing data on over 500,000 study participants and chili peppers (22). They found that the risk of death from cancer dropped on average by 23% in those who consume chili peppers.
The American Heart Association’s meta-analysis revealed the internal benefits of chili peppers (22). They also found that eating chili peppers was associated with a 25% reduced risk of death from any cause.
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Spice food, add powdered chili to smoothies and salads, or eat them raw. Evlin Symon from Healthline recommends making a tincture with hot water and powdered cayenne pepper for a daily weight loss dose (18).
Chili pepper has incredible benefits for your health and body. However, too much of any good thing will land you in hot water. WebMD warns not to eat too many chili peppers to avoid digestive problems, nausea, and stomach pain (17).
The Cleveland Clinic recommends chili pepper as a rich source of vitamins A, B6, C, and K (1). From one fresh Cayenne pepper, you’re already consuming 72% of the necessary vitamin C daily, and you’ll also enjoy 50% of your daily vitamin A content. It’s healthy and vitamin-packed.
The American Heart Association found incredible mortality benefits among data from over 500,000 participants regarding chili peppers (22). With chili pepper consumption, the risk of death from cancer dropped by 23%, and the risk of death from heart disease dropped by 26%. It may reduce two significant health risks.
Evlin Symon from Healthline recommends 28 grams of fresh chili peppers or one gram of dried chili peppers daily to enjoy the benefits (18).
Chili peppers may have attractive benefits for your skin, hair, weight loss journey, brain, allergies, and overall health. Capsaicin should become your best friend. Don’t worry; you’ll grow accustomed to the tang as you eat and drink more. Welcome chili pepper benefits.
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