Chili Peppers – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

06/21/2017 / By Earl Garcia

Chili peppers are well known for their pungent flavor that adds a spicy kick to the world’s culinary arsenal, from subtler Szechuan recipes to flaming hot Thai cuisines. According to WHFoods.com, chili peppers are berries that belong to the Capsicum family. Chili peppers vary in size and flavor intensity, and are usually red or green in color. Among the most popular varieties of chili peppers are habanero, jalapeno, ancho, and chipotle. Chili peppers are available all-year round.

List of known nutrients

The strong, pungent flavor of chili peppers are matched by its equally tremendous nutritional value. Nutrition-and-You.com has compiled the essential vitamins and minerals found in chili peppers, which include:

Beta-Carotene
Beta-Cryptoxanthin
Calcium
Carbohydrates
Copper
Dietary fiber
Folates
Iron
Lutein
Magnesium
Manganese
Niacin
Pantothenic acid
Phosphorus
Potassium
Pyridoxine
Riboflavin
Selenium
Sodium
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Zeaxanthin
Zinc

Medicinal uses for chili peppers

Chili peppers are best known for their weight loss properties, thanks largely to a compound called capsaicin. Previous research revealed that capsaicin promoted weight loss by accelerating fat metabolism and reducing caloric intake during meals. The compound, along with the superfood’s other potent nutrients and antioxidants, helped stave off diabetes. Likewise, the high potassium and folate content in chili peppers significantly curbed blood pressure levels, relaxed blood vessels, and boosted blood flow.

The abundant vitamin C supply in chili peppers are found to bolster the body’s immune system too. Chili peppers are known to fortify the body’s resistance against infectious agents and rid the body off cancer-causing free radicals. Aside from this, chili peppers are loaded with copper and iron that facilitate the formation of new blood cells. This in turn reduces the risk of anemia, muscular weakness, and fatigue.

The high iron content in chili peppers promote hemoglobin production and the overall blood flow. As a result, an efficient supply of oxygen and iron reaches the brain. This means that the superfood may bolster cognitive performance and lower the odds of developing cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In addition, chili peppers are a rich source of B-vitamin complex elements such as riboflavin and niacin. The ample supply of niacin in chili peppers are found to prevent the onset of a disease called Pellagra, which is characterized by a host of symptoms including diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis, and insomnia

In addition, chili peppers are touted to improve eye health as well as skin condition.

Body systems supported by chili peppers

Chili peppers are significantly beneficial to the cardiovascular, circulatory, digestive, and immune systems. The spicy superfood also supports the brain and the nervous system. Likewise, chili peppers are essential to the eyes and skin.

Ways to use chili peppers

Chili peppers are a popular flavoring in many meat dishes. The spicy superfoods can also be incorporated in a variety of finger foods, dips and sauces. Some recipes for sweets and preserves may even call for chili peppers to add an extra zing to the flavor. AllRecipes.com features some interesting chili pepper recipes curated across the web.