Health Benefits of Spicy Chilli Peppers How Hot Chillis Can Change your Life.

The component within chillies which is responsible for the intense heat or spiciness experience upon consumption is called Capsaicin. However, while for some this is a bit hard to handle, you may soon find that the reward is worth that bit of heat.

Aside from making you gasp for air and water, what else does Capsaicin do?

Eating chilli peppers can have a very positive impact on people who are overweight, or suffer from the condition known as ‘diabetes’. Researchers of the university of Tasmania published a report on this in the American journal of clinical nutrition in July 2006. This study provided proof that after eating chillies the amount of insulin needed to lower blood sugar was reduced by a massive 60%! This means that those suffering from diabetes can make a massive change in their health by just adding another ingredient to the cooking.

Chillies can have an immense effect on your overall heart health and circulation - acting as a thinner, which prevents against strokes. All it takes to enjoy these many health benefits is to eat food with a little chilli inside every day.

Capsaicin contains a Neuropeptide related with the inflammatory process. Chilli associated variations in Plasma proteins has been described in patients with autoinflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid and arthritis.

Capsaicin has been found to provide an effective pain relief, without the numbing effect usually associated with anaesthetics which can have unwanted side effects. Harvard researchers believe that Capsaicin can be used to target main receptors without affecting nerve cells and cause these side effects.

With stress and anxiety being very much a modern-day plague, you can take comfort in the fact that your spicy friend may be the answer to your prayers.
Capsaicin blocks a chemical in the body called Substance P, which is involved in the transmission of pain. Chillies are a natural way of relieving and preventing migraines, headaches and discomfort caused by problems with the sinus. This will allow people to relax more easily.

Capsaicin also has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, these lend themselves to the relief of conditions like IBS, and Neuropathy of Diabetes and Psoriasis.

You have probably noticed that after eating spicy foods your sinus become cleared instantly. Chillies do a fantastic job of clearing nasal passages, allowing the free intake of breath.

Capsaicin helps stop the spread of prostate cancer. Capsaicin found in chillies amazingly found to trigger the self-destruction of prostate cancer cells.

There has been some debate to the impact of chillies on Stomach cancer, with some studies finding that excess chilli intake (9-25 jalapenos a day) can increase the risk of cancer. However, at Berkley University, they concluded that Chilli consumption can be preventive against stomach cancer. In Mexico where chilli consumption is high, the number of cancer patients is relatively low. In fact, stomach and colon cancer is far lower in South America than it is in North America, where they eat far more chilli peppers.

To conclude, taken in small doses regularly chillies will give you benefits, but in far excess can cause problems. So as with everything - moderation is key.

Capsaicin is also a thermogenic compound and increases the metabolic rate. This aids in the process of burning fat. Eating chillies can raise your metabolic rate by up to 23% for up to 3 hours. Those complaining about your slow metabolism – look no further.

Consumption also lowers cholesterol as well as the amount of fibre in blood, leading to a lower tendency for blood clots.

So as you can see – Chilies really are a miracle food which are being appreciated and utilised by more and more people every day. Why not bite the pepper and join in?