We’re all familiar with red chili peppers, but then there are green ones too. These chili peppers are just as spicy as red chili peppers. Have you ever thought about the health benefits of green chili peppers? What makes these chili peppers unique, and why are they good for you? Here are just a few of the many reasons why you should spice up your everyday dishes with green chili peppers.
The 6 Health Benefits of Green Chili Peppers
- Better Digestion
Contrary to popular notion, eating green chili peppers won't cause an upset stomach. The capsaicin in chili peppers has been known to soothe irritation, minimizing your risk of developing stomach ulcers.
On top of that, the antioxidants and nutrients from green chili peppers minimize intestinal gas, soothes stomach cramps, and even calms the gut if you have bouts of diarrhea. Chili peppers promote better digestive health by controlling the level of gastric juices that are produced by the stomach. This helps to neutralize the acidity that could irritate the stomach lining and cause pain.
2. Packed with Nutrients
Green chili peppers are teeming with essential nutrients, including:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B Complex
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Folate
- Manganese
- Iron
- Copper
- Potassium
- Fiber
So to say that green chili is good for you is an understatement! Fresh green chili peppers contain about 43.7 µg of vitamin C, nearly 240% of RDA.
3. Faster Recovery from Colds, Cough, and Flu
Did you know that is one of the best sources of vitamin C? Here's another surprise: chili peppers contain more vitamin C than oranges!
As you know, vitamin C promotes better health by boosting immunity. If you’re prone to seasonal colds, cough, or flu, you’ll get a much better boost of immunity by indulging in fiery chili peppers! The vitamin C in chili peppers won't prevent common cold, cough, or flu entirely, but it could cut the duration of sickness. Coupled with some r and r, and you’re well on your way to recovery from bad flu, my friend.
4. Protects from Oxidative Stress
The same vitamin C that boosts immunity also protects healthy cells from oxidative stress. Research shows that oxidative stress is the precursor to serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It is one of the significant factors that cause premature aging.
Oxidative stress is caused by reactive ions, called free radicals, that target healthy cells. These destructive atoms rob healthy cells of electrons. The bad news is, free radicals are everywhere in any environment; you cannot avoid them. Everyday exposure to free radicals causes irreparable damage to healthy cells, which leads to cell mutations. The cell mutations cause degenerative diseases. Sounds unpleasant, right?
So what’s the role of eating green chili peppers to all of these? Think of vitamin C as a shield from free radicals. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that protects healthy cells from destructive ions, reducing your risk of developing degenerative disorders. That’s the reason why eating foods high in vitamin C makes you less sick and look younger.
5. Promotes Healthy Weight Loss
No, eating a pile of green chili peppers won’t make that 40 pounds you gained during quarantine disappear like magic. But! It can boost a slow metabolic rate, so the body burns off more fat. As you know, a slow metabolic rate leads to the accumulation of stored fat in the body. If your body is not burning off fat efficiently, it's not converting fat to energy. That's the reason why you're looking extra fluffy if you haven't been working out lately.
Studies show that capsaicin in green chili peppers suppresses the appetite, increases the metabolic rate, and promotes proper digestion. It works by minimizing the effects of the hunger hormone ghrelin in the body. Eating green chili peppers makes you sweat, and to perspire, the body needs to burn calories! So, to sum up, eating green chili peppers tame hunger and speed up the metabolic rate; all of this helps you lose weight.
6. Good for the Heart
Green chili peppers are often associated with heartburn, but if anything, chili peppers are good for the heart! Thing is, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart; it’s caused by acid reflux. What’s clear is that fruits and vegetables are a part of a healthy diet, which means chili peppers are good for you! So good that it reduces the risk of serious diseases like heart disease.
Chili peppers are packed with nutrients that minimize internal inflammation, which reduces your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. It also keeps your blood pressure in check by keeping the arteries healthy.
Whether eaten fresh or in powdered or flake form, green chili peppers make food taste great while boosting health. What’s your favorite way of eating chili peppers?