Health Benefits of Hot Peppers 

There are many surprising health benefits associated with eating hot peppers, and scientists are continuing to discover more and more everyday! Some of the most interesting benefits are listed below: 

  • Red chili peppers have naturally high levels of vitamin C and vitamin A. In fact, pound for pound, the red varieties have more vitamin C than oranges!
  • All chili peppers provide many of the B vitamins.
  • Chili peppers are high in potassium , magnesium, and iron.
  • The ingredient in hot peppers that makes them hot, capsaicin, is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, and is associated with pain relief. In fact, it is the capsaicin in medicated ointments that give them a heat sensation.
  • Cancer researchers have shown that capsaicin kills tumors by causing cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, or cell death.
  • Hot peppers may be good for the digestive tract because they kill harmful parasites.
  • Hot peppers increase metabolic activity, and could therefore help in weight loss.
  • Hot peppers may help those who suffer from respiratory problems by clearing mucus from respiratory pathways, and by reducing respiratory inflammation.
  • There is a hot pepper nasal spray called “Sinus Buster.” It relieves sinus headaches, stuffy noses, and respiratory problems by reducing inflammation.
  • Hot peppers help to enhance blood circulation and blood flow by reducing the blood’s clotting ability, and may help to prevent a heart attack or a stroke.
  • Chili peppers may help fight against diabetes. If they are included in a meal, the body needs to use less insulin in order to lower blood sugar.
  • Since hot peppers help improve blood circulation, they also enhance sexual function.