Indian cuisine is no stranger to chillies. Chillies feature prominently in almost every recipe and no palate will deny the thrill of a spicy curry. If you’re a chilli fan, then here are some more reasons for you to fall even more in love with it.
A Storehouse of Fiery Goodness
Oranges are the brand ambassadors of vitamin C. But did you know that chillies contain 7 times more of the good stuff than oranges? Vitamin C is one of those vitamins we’re tempted to call a panacea because it seems to have a positive effect on every ailment from the common cold to arthritis thanks to its immune system-boosting properties. And chillies contain plenty of it.
Health Benefits of Chillies
They are also high in vitamin A, vitamin B-6, copper, iron, beta-carotene, manganese, potassium and magnesium. The abundant store of minerals and vitamins is what allows it to impart all the amazing benefits that follow.
Chillies Boost Metabolism
If you’ve ever heard of the master cleanse as made famous by Angelina Jolie and other celebrities, then you know that cayenne powder is one of the main ingredients in the lemonade that is imbibed for all days of the cleanse. That’s because chillies can really rev up your digestive system and give your metabolism a hearty boost. A fact that foreigners who have suffered from Delhi belly after eating some of India’s famous curries can attest to. The loose motions in that case occur when you’re not used to spicy food or when you eat too much spicy food in a short span of time. Chillies eaten moderately every day will not be so… explosive.
Chillies Help you Lose Weight
Chillies are a popular ingredient for weight watchers. And yes, it is true that after you eat chillies, your body undergoes a process called thermogenesis wherein you burn a lot of calories for the next twenty minutes or so. But this does not mean you can eat a whole chocolate cake and a handful of chillies after will offset the binge.
Health Benefits of Chillies
It simply means that in a well-balanced diet complemented by exercise, stress management and good sleep, having chillies can improve weight loss efforts. Finally, chillies can seriously improve the taste of any meal, and since a tasty meal is more satisfying than a bland one, you are less likely to snack later.
Opens Up Your Sinuses
Chillies loosen up mucous in the nasal passage. That makes your nose leak, and after you’ve blown your nose you’ll notice that you can breathe much more freely than just moments before. That’s why chillies are a good idea if you’re fighting a cold as they will help with congestion in addition to providing your immune system with all that wonderful vitamin C.
Great for Diabetics
Your body needs about 60% less insulin to break down a meal that has chillies in it. This makes chillies a boon for diabetics as they can naturally reduce their dependence on insulin. What’s more, research has shown that chillies consumed on a regular basis can lead to an overall lowering of the need for insulin.
Hot and Heart Healthy
Your cardiovascular system will love you if you make chillies a regular part of your diet. Your blood cholesterol levels will fall while your platelet count will increase, the latter improving your blood’s ability to clot. What’s good for the blood is usually good for the heart. In fact, research has proven again and again that cultures that have chillies as a mainstay in the diet have lower rates of stroke and heart attacks.
Fights Cancer
Ever since cancer became prevalent, innumerable studies have been done on everything in the world to find out the connection to cancer. When it comes to chillies, the news is good. Chillies may possibly stave off or at least aid in battling some kinds of cancer like lung cancer, prostate cancer and bowel cancer by literally killing cancer cells.
Is a Pain Killer
The capsaicin in chillies is now recognized as a viable option in fighting pain. Sufferers of osteoarthritis who receive treatment in the form of topical applications of capsaicin report considerable reduction in pain. This is believed to be the result of the release of endorphins as a reaction to the ‘pain’ of the spiciness of chillies.
Other Chilli Health Benefits
Chilli Health Benefits
- Chillies may help you sleep better. Try it for yourself. Add just a few chillies to your last meal of the day.
- Collagen production gets a boost with chillies, and since collagen is essential not just for the spring in your skin but the strength of your organs, you can eat your way to both beauty and good health with a bunch of chillies.
- If you live in a cold place, you’ll find that eating chillies actually makes you feel warmer. Not quite a health benefit, we know. But since comfort is related to stress and stress to health we figure it should count for something.
Remember that while chillies have great health benefits they should not be consumed in excess, just like anything else. Chillies significantly increase the heat in your body so if you are prone to heat-induced rashes or skin conditions then eating chillies may make things worse. And while chillies, increase metabolism, if eaten in excess they can cause burning diarrhoea in people who have naturally heat-y constitutions. This is something you will have to observe for yourself with trial and error. If you feel good in both body and mind after eating chillies, continue doing so. But if something feels off, them stop or reduce how much you eat or change the type of chillies.
Chilli Health Benefits
Green chillies are not as spicy as the red ones so start with the former and work your way up. If you’ve eaten too many chillies, either by mistake or if you just couldn’t help it, then sip on milk or eat yoghurt to soothe your tongue and the fires on your insides.
If you’re planning to significantly increase the amount of chillies in your diet, please consult your health practitioner first especially if you are pregnant, on medication or have been ill for an extended period of time.
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