You probably enjoy them for their spicy hot flavor, but did you know hot peppers are good for you?
Thanks to some of the vitamins and minerals, peppers are a healthy choice that also help liven up any snack or meal. Not only is a compound called capsaicin in hot peppers to thank for the spicy flavor, but capsaicin is also credited for many of the health benefits that go hand in hand with hot peppers.
There’s no disputing the fact chili peppers are healthy.
They’re extremely low in fat and calories, but they do contain a little bit of fiber and protein. While you don’t eat very much of them in one setting, chili peppers are packed with vitamins and minerals. Peppers are high in Vitamin C, which can help with your immune system, plus red peppers are also high in beta carotene. In addition, the Vitamin K1 in hot peppers can help keep your bones and kidneys healthy, while Vitamin B6 helps with energy metabolism. Peppers also contain copper and potassium. The capsanthin in red chili peppers has antioxidant properties, while the lutein in green, immature chili peppers helps with improved eye health. Ferulic acid found in chili peppers may play a role in protecting you from certain chronic diseases, while the sinapic acid also likely has some health benefits.
The capsaicin in hot peppers is said to help promote weight loss because it increases fat burning and reduces your appetite.
While you’ll want to check with your doctor about any of your own potential health benefits, there are certainly plenty of options out there, from consuming raw peppers to using them in your cooking or using a powdered version. Of course, how high you climb on the hot pepper scale is up to you and your tolerance for the extra spice.