Originated in America, Chilli has been a part of human diet since at least 7500 BC. With more than 200 varieties, and coloured anything from yellow to green and red to black, the heat in chillies range from mildly warm to mouth-blisteringly hot. Despite their fiery hotness, chillies are one of the most popular spices known for their medicinal and health benefiting properties.
Chilli, which actually is a fruit pod, is an excellent source of Vitamin A, B, C and E with minerals like molybdenum, manganese, folate, potassium, thiamin and copper. The Vitamin C content in chilli is several times more than what is present in an orange. Here are the health benefits of chillies which might have you motivated to cook with them very soon.
[vs slide=”1″ slide_title=”Powerful Antioxidants”]
1. Powerful Antioxidants
Chillies have Vitamin C and Vitamin A containing beta-carotenoids, which are a powerful antioxidant with capabilities to destroy free radical bodies. These radical bodies usually travel in the body causing huge amounts of damage to cells, including nerve and blood vessel damage in diabetes. It also dilates airway of lungs which reduces asthma and wheezing.
The antioxidants also have the capacity to wipe out the radical bodies that could build up cholesterol which cause major heart diseases like atherosclerosis and others. It also has properties to prevent other diseases like cataract and arthritis like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
[vs slide=”2″ slide_title=”Good For Heart”]
2. Good For Heart
Chilies have vitamin B6 and folic acid. The vitamin B reduces high homocysteine level. High homocysteine levels have been shown to cause damage to blood vessels and are associated with a greatly increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It also converts homocysteine into other molecules which is beneficial to lower cholesterol level.
[vs slide=”3″ slide_title=”Rich Iron Reserve”]
3. Rich Iron Reserve
Green chillies are an excellent natural source of iron. Green chillies have a rich reserve of iron which is highly recommended for those prone to iron deficiency, especially Indian women.
[vs slide=”4″ slide_title=”Enhances Immunity”]
4. Enhances Immunity
Green chillies are rich source of Vitamin C. Often, consuming chillies helps in relieving congestion in nose. Along with this, Vitamin C in green chillies have the capabilities to strengthen your overall immunity to helps fight diseases naturally.
[vs slide=”5″ slide_title=”Work As Detoxifier”]
5. Work As Detoxifier
Chillies work as detoxifiers and help in removing waste products from our body and thus help increase supply of nutrients to the tissue. Chillies also act as gastrointestinal detoxicant, helping in digestion of food.
[vs slide=”6″ slide_title=” Good For Brain “]
6.Good For Brain
Capsaicin in chillies stimulate brain to secrete endorphin and give a sense of pleasure when consumed. This is the reason why people get addicted to chilli.
[vs slide=”7″ slide_title=”Prevent Lung disease”]
7. Prevent Lung disease
Chilies gives relief from nasal congestion by increasing the metabolism. It also dilates airway of lungs which reduces asthma and wheezing. It relieves chronic congestion in people who are heavy smokers. Cigarette smoke contains benzopyrene which destroys the vitamin A in the body. The vitamin A present in chili reduces inflammation of lungs and emphysema caused due to cigarette smoking.
[vs slide=”8″ slide_title=”Natural Pain Killer”]
8. Natural Pain Killer
Chillies stimulates the release of endorphins which are natural painkillers. They relieves pain caused due to shingles, bursitis, muscle spasm in shoulder, diabetic neuropathy and even arthritic pain in extremities.
[vs slide=”9″ slide_title=”Faster Digestion “]
9. Faster Digestion
Chillies have rich content of fibre and contrary to the existing misconceptions, eating chillies help in digesting your food faster.
[vs slide=”10″ slide_title=”Good For Skin”]
10. Good For Skin
Green chillies are rich in Vitamin E, which is essential in producing certain natural skin oils, which are helpful in getting good skin.
[vs slide=”11″ slide_title=”Reduce Risk Of Cancer”]
11. Reduce Risk Of Cancer
Vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid found in chilli is noted to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Chillies such as red pepper have carotenoid lycopene, which also prevents cancer.
[vs slide=”12″ slide_title=”Antibiotic Properties “]
12. Antibiotic Properties
Chillies help bring fresh blood to the place of infection. The fresh blood, rich with white blood cells and leukocytes, helps fight the viruses and assist in fighting the infection faster.
