Chili pepper (capsicum annum) is well known vegetable – member of Solanaceae family which includes also tomato, aubergine, potato and some other veggies. Actice component of chili pepper called “capsaicin” – it is an irritant which is producing the specific sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact. Capsaicin and other “capsaicinoids” are produced as secondary metabolites by chili peppers which are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Chili pepper was grown in Central and South America for 7000 years. From South America (mainly from Mexico) chili peppers were imported to Philippines, India, China, Indonesia, Korea and Japan. Christopher Columbus was among the first Europeans to discover chili pepper in the region. In 1493 Dr Diego Alvarez Chanca (from Columbus team) brought the very first chili peppers to Spain and Portugal. In XVI-XVII centuries chili peppers were introduced to the rest of the world by Spanish and Portuguese explorers.
Chili peppers are well known for their medicinal and health benefiting properties – they are an excellent source of Vitamins C, A, K, E and B-complex (including folic acid B9); antioxidants (phytochemicals) and useful minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin, copper, molybdenum – all are excellent source of fiber).
Chili pepper health benefits – cardio-vascular system
Capsaicin is the most important chili pepper component which can help to safeguard the heart by reducing levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and platelet aggregation. Chili pepper can also break down fibrin which is the main component of blood clots. At the same time, they can also protect the fats in the blood from damage by free radicals – first step in the development of atherosclerosis.
Some studies discovered that people (nations) who include chili pepper in daily diet have got considerably reduced rates of cardiac problems.
Chili pepper natural vitamins A and C can strengthen blood vessels – making them more elastic and better able to adjust to blood pressure fluctuations. Natural vitamin B6 and folic acid reduce high homocysteine level which is responsible for blood vessels damage and increased risks of heart attack and stroke.
As chili peppers can make us sweat, it causes fluid loss and reduction (temporary) of overall blood volume.
Chili pepper health benefits – cancer
Chili peppers
Recent laboratory research discovered that capsaicin triggered cancer cells to commit suicide (apoptosis) – capsaicin induced approximately 80% of prostate cancer cells growing in mice to follow the molecular pathways leading to apoptosis. Prostate cancer tumors treated with capsaicin were about 1/5 the size of tumors in non-treated mice.
Chili pepper’s natural vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and eliminates cancer-causing free radicals in the body.
Vitamin C in combination with Vitamin A both help boost immunity and fight against free radical damage. Scientists have also found that capsaicin inhibits cancer cell growth. There have been several scientific clinical studies that have shown that natural capsaicin directly slows and reduces the growth of leukemia cells.
There is on-going debate amongst researchers concerning chili pepper and stomach cancer. Opinions of experts are inconsistence and contradictory. Some “discovered” reduced frequency of stomach cancer in chili pepper users and others noted increased frequency of stomach cancer in people with chili pepper diets. At the same time, all scientists agreed that the incidence of stomach and colon cancer is lower in South America, where they eat far more chili pepper than they do in the North.
Chili pepper health benefits – weight control
Capsaicin is thermogenic (generating heat) and this is why chili pepper can easily burn calories within our bodies by strengthening the metabolism and increasing the metabolic rate (by changing the thermogenesis). Scientists noted that capsicum lowers caloric intake, shrinks fat tissue and reduces fat levels in the blood.
If you want to control your weight and loose calories, better to switch from fatty foods to diet rich of chili pepper. Studies reveal that eating chili peppers can raise your metabolic rate by up to 23% for about 3 hours.
Chili pepper health benefits – inflammation
Chili pepper’s capsaicin is an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory component – it inhibits so called “substance P” which is associated with inflammatory processes. Some scientists suggest that capsaicin could one day be a treatment for arthritis, psoriasis, headaches, migraines and even diabetic neuropathy.
Capsaicin also has antibacterial properties which lend themselves perfectly to the relief of conditions such as irritable bowel, neuropathy caused by the onset of diabetes and psoriasis.
Chili pepper health benefits – gastrointestinal system
According to studies made in Duke University (Durham, North Carolina), capsaicin may lead to a cure for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Actually the capsaicin from chili pepper can also help to kill bacteria such as H. pylori, which can help prevent stomach ulcers. At the same time, the chili peppers can act as detoxifiers because they remove waste products from the body and increase supply nutrients to the tissues. Capsaicin also acts as gastrointestinal detoxicant helping in digestion of food.
Chili peppers have been shown to offer relief in a few gastric difficulties – capsaicin helps with preventing indigestion by resulting in the blood to rush into areas of application and also eliminates H. Pylori and energizes the gut to produce juices essential for calming the annoyed stomach.
Chili pepper health benefits – sinusitis
Capsaicin offers effective antibacterial qualities and it is pretty effective in eliminating as well as avoiding long-term sinus infections (sinusitis) including allergic types of sinusitis. Chili pepper heat helps to stimulate secretions that aid in clearing mucus from the nose – combating nasal congestion and avoiding long-term nasal blockage. Capsaicin also contains antibacterial properties that help fight chronic sinus infections.
Chili pepper health benefits – migraine
Several studies confirmed that capsaicin which is making chili pepper spicy hot can inhibit important neuropeptide (sa called “substance P”) – body’s major mechanism for creating inflammation and key brain pain transmitter – cause of headaches, migraines as well as sinus headaches. This is why chili peppers can provide pain relief for migraine and sinus headaches.
Chili pepper health benefits – pain
Chili peppers can provide pain relief – osteoarthritis pain, diabetic neuropathy, bursitis, shingles and muscle spasms.
Mechanism of pain prevention is similar to above mentioned migraines – capsaicin blocks the natural chemical called “substance P” which is involved in the transmission and perception of pain. It is also noted that chili peppers stimulate the release of endorphins that are natural pain killers. Some scientists suggest also that capsaicin can be used to target pain receptors.
Chili pepper health benefits – blood sugar
Some experts suggest that chili pepper can decrease blood sugar levels – normal eating of chili pepper can help significantly control insulin levels after eating a meal and reduce blood sugar by 60% just after the meal.
