By now you’ve probably heard about some of the benefits of hot peppers, but did you know that chili oil may just as beneficial to your health?
Sure, chili oil helps give mealtime an extra fiery kick, but there’s more to chili oil than just the added flavor.
There are many health benefits to appreciate, too. That’s because of the capsaicin. If you haven’t heard of chili oil, it’s what you get when dried chili peppers are infused with vegetable oil. Extra spices and garlic are often added, too. It’s a particularly good choice for topping a salad or noodles. You could also add it to some soup, pour a little over fried eggs, or put it in a chicken marinade.
So, what about those health benefits? Because capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties, chili oil can sometimes help with chronic inflammation. A study published a couple of years ago found those who ate a diet rich in chili peppers had a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The capsaicin in chili oil may also help with digestive health. Capsaicin encourages your stomach to start producing more digestive fluids, which in turn, helps with digestion and prevents constipation. Another benefit is that capsaicin can help improve circulation by getting your blood flowing. This is helpful when you’re trying to recover from an injury, plus its good for heart health, too. Chili oil also has antioxidant properties, which helps support overall health.
If you’re dealing with pain in the form of muscle soreness or arthritis, the capsaicin found in chili oil can help provide some pain relief, plus chili oil can be used to help boost your metabolism, too. Capsaicin causes your body to produce more heat, which may then help you burn more calories. This could be helpful if you want to lose weight, or simply maintain your current weight. If you have health problems such as acid reflux, gastritis, hemorrhoids, or allergies, you may want to check with your doctor before turning up the heat on your diet. While the capsaicin in chili oil does have health benefits, you may not want to overdo it.