Spike your meals with this spicy
powerhouse to get your health firing on all cylinders
We’ve all had an exciting encounter with
chili at some point, whether it’s made your mouth burn or your eyes water!
These spicy rockets are amazing health boosters, and you only need to add a
little to your meals to reap some impressive benefits.
Spike
your meals with this spicy powerhouse to get your health firing on all
cylinders
Chilies pack a mighty vitamin punch for
their small size. Just one red chili pepper can provide more than your daily
vitamin C needs, and almost 10 per cent of your daily vitamin A requirements.
In fact, 100g of chilies contains more vitamin C than 100g of oranges! Vitamin
C is a great immune- booster, and plays a key role in the health of your skin
and joints thanks to its collagen- building benefits. And vitamin A is just as
important as it helps to support the health of your mucus membranes - the areas
of your body that need to stay moist, including your gut, nose, lungs and
urinary tract.
Feel the burn
The real hero ingredient of chili is a
super compound called capsaicin. It’s what gives chili its fiery heat, and this
little chemical has major health and weight-loss benefits.
The
real hero ingredient of chili is a super compound called capsaicin.
Capsaicin can benefit those who are
overweight or suffer from diabetes as it has been shown to help control
insulin, avoiding blood sugar spikes that could cause your body to store fat.
Plus, a 2010 study from Purdue University in the US found that chili
effectively raises core body temperature, meaning you’ll burn more calories at
rest.
Hot relief
Bad joints? Bring on the habaneros. Chili
might make your mouth burn, but research shows that same heat factor can reduce
pain in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis as well as muscle or nerve
pain. The spicy compound capsaicin grabs onto receptors and interferes with the
transmission of pain signals to the brain and it’s so effective it can be
bought as a topical gel.
The
spicy compound capsaicin grabs onto receptors and interferes with the
transmission of pain signals to the brain
It’s also a good idea to eat plenty of
chili-packed meals when you have a cold, as it can help to stimulate blocked
areas in your nose and lungs and clear out mucus.
