Love a good, fiery chili pepper?
Nutritionists explain all the reasons they love you back.
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Are chili peppers good for you?
Photo:Mirrorimage-NL/Getty Images
We know that it’s delicious, but we asked experts for chili pepper health benefits.
Heres exactly what makes spicy foodespecially chili peppersso good for your immune system, metabolism, and more.
Brianna Wieser is a registered dietitian nutritionist atMOBE.
Greg DuPree
Chili peppers are hot because of the plant compound, capsaicin.
This antioxidant compound attaches to receptors that send signals of spice and heat to the brain.
Here’s a look at what other compounds and nutrients that one chili pepper entails.
Antonis Achilleos
Here are some of the most impressive health benefits of spicy foods, starring fiery-hot chili peppers.
Plus, this compound has been known to be supportive of optimal digestion.
Boost Metabolism
Hot peppers work on supporting a healthy metabolism in a few different ways.
Marcus Nilsson
First, the heat-producing effect of this spicy ingredient helps to boost metabolism.
Combat Cancer
Research shows time and time again that cancer cells dont stand a chance against capsaicin.
Boost Heart Health
With the consumption of capsaicin-rich foods comes heart healthy benefits, too.
Protect and Promote Brain Health
Capsaicin also helps to address health concerns surrounding our brains.
Researchers have found that eating spicy foods containing hot peppers lowers our risk of all-cause mortality.
Soothes Pain
Did you know one of the active ingredients in the Icy Hot is capsaicin?
The caveat: Dont rub a cut, raw chili pepper onto your skin!
That will probably just cause you more pain.
Instead, choose a product containing capsaicin as an ingredient for soothing pain relief.
Before jumping in head first, there are a few things to consider.
So keep the fiery foods to lunchtime, if you love them.
These ultra-spicy pepper varieties can literally burn your skin and eyes if youre not careful!
How to Eat More Hot Chili Peppers
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy hot peppers.
Chili Pepper Recipes
Here are some favorite recipes with a spicy kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different peppers pack different nutrients and vitamins.
Plus, they are low in capsaicin, so they are suitable for people who can’t tolerate spiciness.
Mild and hot chili peppers are both full of vitamins and nutrients that are good for you.
However, the hotter the chili pepper, generally, the better it is.
Casein in dairy binds to capsaicin, which helps to wash it away.
Acidic foods like lemons of limes may also help; the acidity can neutralize the alkaline capsaicin.
“Peppers, hot chili, red, raw.”
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Gomez-Garcia Mdel R, Ochoa-Alejo N.Biochemistry and molecular biology of carotenoid biosynthesis in chili peppers (Capsicum spp.
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2015(7):CD010591.
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doi:10.1136/openhrt-2015-000262
Panchal SK, Bliss E, Brown L.Capsaicin in metabolic syndrome.Nutrients.
2016;36(3):837-843.
2022;27(8):2484. doi:10.3390/molecules27082484
Practical Neurology.Migraine Spray Aims to Reduce Headache Pain With Capsaicin.
Accessed April 4, 2023.
Science Daily.People who eat chili pepper may live longer?Accessed April 4, 2023.
2021;22(3):198-207. doi:10.2174/1389200221999201116143701
