| Introduction | | | | become more elastic, thus they are able to |
| Chillies are a member of the pepper family. | | | | better cope with blood pressure fluctuations. |
| Peppers are a great source of A, some of the B | | | | Red peppers are a great choice for heart health |
| vitamins, C, vitamin E (a fat-soluble vitamin that is | | | | because they are rich in lycopene. Green peppers |
| an antioxidant), K, beta-carotene, potassium, | | | | contain soluble fiber which is effective at lowering |
| lutein, and zeaxanthin. | | | | cholesterol. |
| The active component of peppers is capsaicin and | | | | There is a higher risk of heart disease when your |
| there are high levels of this in hot peppers. The | | | | homocysteine levels are high, peppers contain |
| hot pepper family includes chili, cayenne, and | | | | folate and B6 which can lower these levels. |
| jalapeno. | | | | It should be noted that cultures who use |
| Health Benefits | | | | consume a large amount of hot peppers have |
| Peppers contain the antioxidant vitamins A and C, | | | | significantly lower rates of heart attack and |
| these help to prevent cell damage, cancer, and | | | | stroke. |
| diseases related to aging, they are also known to | | | | Help Prevent Cancer |
| support immune function. Inflammation like that | | | | It is believed that lycopene which is contained in |
| found in arthritis and asthma can also be reduced | | | | red peppers can help prevent the following |
| by vitamins A and C. | | | | cancers: prostate; bladder; cervix; and pancreas. |
| Vitamin K helps strengthening of bones, proper | | | | Beta-cryptoxanthin also found in red peppers is |
| blood clotting, and protecting cells from oxidative | | | | being investigated to help prevent lung cancer. |
| damage. | | | | Studies performed on animals have shown that |
| Capsaicin | | | | small doses of chili result in tumour shrinkage. The |
| This ingredient has been credited with higher | | | | cause of cancer cell death appears to be coming |
| endorphin levels and improving mood. It is also | | | | about because capsaicin attacks the mitochondria |
| known for helping the body with pain control. It | | | | (respiratory centers of cells). |
| does this by first stimulating and then decreasing | | | | Help Vision |
| the intensity of pain signals in the body. | | | | Red peppers are loaded with beta-carotene, lutein, |
| After peppers have been eaten it can be | | | | and vitamin C. Beta-carotene is essential for night |
| demonstrated that the body's heat production and | | | | vision and along with vitamin C helps reduce the |
| oxygen consumption are increased for about 20 | | | | risk of developing cataracts. Lutein helps lower the |
| minutes. | | | | risk of macular degeneration of the eyes. |
| Speed Metabolism and Weight Loss | | | | Orange peppers contain zeaxanthin which is |
| You can speed your metabolism with chili because | | | | known to protect against cataracts and macular |
| of how it affects your body. | | | | degeneration. |
| Hot peppers can reduce your appetite by making | | | | Anti-oxidant |
| you feel full faster by activating your digestion. A | | | | Hot peppers contain beta-carotene, which works |
| meal containing chili pepper reduces the amount of | | | | as an antioxidant that prevents or repairs the |
| insulin required to lower the bodies blood sugar | | | | damage caused by free radicals. |
| levels. | | | | Inflammation |
| Capsaicin enhances circulation and raises body | | | | Hot peppers possess anti-inflammatory properties |
| temperature by making blood vessels widen. This | | | | and can potentially reduce arthritis, rheumatism, |
| in turn leads to the bodies metabolism rising. This | | | | and headache pain. |
| effect also reduces body fat accumulation. | | | | Stomach Health |
| Heart Health and Cholesterol | | | | Capsaicin can help kill bacteria in the stomach such |
| Contained in peppers are vitamins A and C, | | | | as H. pylori which can lead to ulcers. Not only this |
| powerful antioxidants which help to wipe out free | | | | but the capsaicin also helps stimulate the muccosal |
| radicals that oxidize cholesterol and lead to heart | | | | cells to release mucous to coat the intestines with |
| disease. | | | | a protective layer. |
| Hot peppers act as a thinning agent by helping | | | | Hot peppers also help eliminate excess gas in the |
| prevent blood clots. They do this by helping | | | | stomach. |
| dissolve fibrin, an insoluble protein (necessary for | | | | Lungs and Sinuses |
| blood clots to form) that can build up in blood | | | | If you want to clear out the nose and lungs |
| vessels. | | | | mucus membranes then consuming hot peppers |
| Bad cholesterol (LDL) will resist oxidation for a | | | | will help. You also get the added benefit of |
| longer period of time when chili is added to the | | | | sweating out some of the toxins the body is |
| diet. Delaying this is a benefit as oxidation is a | | | | eliminating. They can even help asthmatics |
| major risk for cardiovascular disease. | | | | breathe more easily. |
| They help the blood vessels strengthen and | | | | |