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Health benefits of chili

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

If you are a lover of spicy foods, you are in luck. The chili , especially those types spicier, contain a substance called capsaicin which has properties very beneficial to our health, and under responsible consumption and accompanied by a varied and balanced diet can become a good ally. This substance is what gives the pepper its spicy character, and acts in the brain in a similar way to pain, something that we will explain in this article.

However, chili should be consumed in moderation, especially those with sensitive stomachs or who suffer from a problem in the digestive system. If you want to know what are all the benefits of chili pepper for health , do not miss this article by FastlyHeal .

Types of chili

Before starting to explain the health benefits of chili, it is interesting to distinguish the number of varieties that we can find of this. The different types vary among them in size, shape, as well as their culinary uses, and surely some are more familiar than others, depending on where we live.

  • Jalapeno chili . It is one of the best known, measuring approximately 2.5 cm wide and one of the strongest spicy flavors of the chili family.
  • Bell pepper chili . Unlike the previous one, it is one of the least spicy that we can find, so it is a good option if we want to include this food in the diet and we are not very in favor of strong flavors. We can find this chili in yellow, red or green depending on its maturity.
  • Chile serrano . It is widely used to make guacamole, as well as an accompaniment to rice dishes, and is usually cooked both fried and roasted. It is dark green in color and its flavor is quite spicy.
  • Chile piquín . It is the smallest of the chili family, and is known depending on the time of year, when it is widely consumed. It is used both dry and fresh, and is the base of dressings such as tabasco sauce, being one of the hottest chili peppers.
  • Chipotle chili . It is the dry variant of the jalapeño, being more spicy than the fresh one.
  • Tree chili . Slender and elongated in complexion, it has a reddish color with a strong spicy flavor.
  • Guajillo chili . Wide and triangular in shape, it has a garnet color, widely used to flavor stews or meats. The smaller this chili is, the spicier.
  • Chile wide . Widely used in stews or sauces, it has a bright reddish color.
  • Chile poblano . It is one of the most consumed in Mexico. It is dark green in color and its shape is triangular and wide. It is not very spicy.

Capsaicin

The capsaicin is a substance produced by the same chili as a defense mechanism to flush herbivores. It is found in the seeds and is responsible for imparting the itch, so the greater the amount of this substance, the greater the spiciness. In this way, depending on the chili the amount of capsaicin varies, and its effects to treat ailments as well. This substance acts in a similar way to what pain does in the brain. To understand it, capsaicin “tricks” the brain into receiving stimuli similar to pain, so it produces endorphins in order to counteract the sensation of pain. In this way, one of the health benefits of chili is its analgesic effect to relieve pain.

Benefits of chili for pain

Following the previous point, one of the main benefits of chili for health is to treat the pain of different ailments or diseases.

  • Reumanoide arthritis . The chili helps to calm the pain that people with this ailment suffer. The way to apply it is through an ointment directly on the painful area, in order for the capsaicin to act.
  • Trigeminal neuralgia . It is a disease in which a person suffers from inflammation in the nerve of the face or eye, along with severe pain. In addition, facial spasms are also common.
  • Diabetic Neuralgia . It is a pathology caused by excess sugar that diabetes produces, and that damages the nerves causing sensitivity, pain, and numbness in the feet and legs.

Benefits of chili in the digestive system

As contradictory as it may seem, chili can be beneficial in treating different conditions of the digestive system. This is due to its ability to increase the secretion of stomach juices , as well as improve digestion by increasing blood flow to the area. However, it must be consumed in moderation, and some people with stomach problems should not consume this food, something that we will explain later.

  • Constipation . By increasing the production of stomach juices and improving intestinal transit, one of the health benefits of chili is to treat constipation problems.
  • Stomach ulcer . Chili has healing properties and helps increase the production of the mucosa that lines the stomach. Therefore, it can be effective in moderate amounts to treat stomach ulcers.
  • Gases . By improving and contributing to proper digestion, another of the health benefits of chili is to relieve gas and eliminate flatulence that can appear when there are digestive problems.
  • Circulatory . Consuming chili in moderation can improve circulation and stimulate blood flow. Some studies have defended the benefits of chili pepper to lower cholesterol.

Antioxidant benefits of chili

Red chili peppers are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids , which is why they have been studied and tested to prevent cancer, as it is a strong remedy to eliminate free radicals , which can pose a health risk when concentrated in high quantities. In this way, the benefits of chili can kill cancer cells in the lung and pancreas.

Another benefit of chili for health is its use to treat conditions of the respiratory system . The chili acts as a decongestant and bacteria inhibitor thanks to the fact that it contains acetic and ascorbic acid. In addition, it can also be used as an infusion to combat some respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or coughing attacks.

Chili contraindications

Consuming hot chili, especially in large quantities, can lead to indigestion , as well as gastric reflux and diarrhea . For this reason, a moderate consumption is recommended, especially in those more sensitive to spicy. It should not be used to treat open wounds, and its use on the skin may cause irritation.
The pregnant women or nursing mothers should avoid eating spicy chili, both internally and externally.

Finally, it is advisable to go to the doctor in case of suffering any of the conditions mentioned in that article before using the hot pepper.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Benefits of chili for health , we recommend that you enter our Food category .

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