Behind its spicy taste, there are many health benefits of chili, from relieving nasal congestion, increasing body immunity, to burning body fat. These benefits come from the various important nutrients in it. Chili is often used as a complementary seasoning in every dish. Sometimes, chili is also dried or ground into powder. There are various types of chili that are commonly used, such as cayenne pepper, green chili, red chili, yellow chili, and jalapeno.
In Asian countries, in addition to the types of chilies mentioned above, there are cayenne pepper and carolina reaper, types of chilies that are among the hottest in the world. Chilies contain various compounds that act as antioxidants, such as capsaicin, carotenoids, violaxanthin, and lutein. In addition, chilies also contain several vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium.
However, avoid consuming excessive amounts of chili, such as sambal or chili oil, as it can cause digestive problems. This spicy food should also be given gradually to children.
Various Benefits of Chili for Health
If consumed in moderation, there are various benefits of chili that can be obtained, including:
- Relieve nasal congestion
One of the benefits of chili that can be felt immediately is to relieve nasal congestion. Because of its spicy sensation, consuming dishes containing capsaicin can reduce swelling in the respiratory tract and thin mucus so that it is easier to remove. - Relieve pain
In addition to relieving nasal congestion, the capsaicin compound in chili peppers is also useful as a pain reliever, so it is often used as an ingredient in ointments or creams for muscle and joint pain relief. You may feel a burning sensation when applying ointments or creams containing capsaicin, but the muscle and joint pain you feel can also be reduced. - Increase body immunity
Chili has abundant vitamin C content, even more than oranges. The vitamin C content in chili is useful for increasing body immunity, so that the body is not easily infected or certain diseases. - Increase body metabolism
The next benefit of cayenne pepper is to increase body metabolism. When consumed, the capsaicin compound in cayenne pepper can increase the amount of heat produced by the body, so it can slightly increase metabolism and cause the body to burn more calories. It is also effective in reducing hunger, so you eat less throughout the day.
- Maintaining digestive health
When consuming cayenne pepper, capsaicin can stimulate nerves in the stomach that send signals to protect digestive health. Cayenne pepper can also increase the production of digestive fluids, bring enzymes to the stomach to help the digestive system, and protect the stomach from infection.
- Maintaining a healthy weight
The next benefit of cayenne pepper is maintaining a healthy weight. Again, because the capsaicin compound in it contributes to helping lose weight. Eating spicy foods can increase metabolism, burn calories, and make your stomach feel fuller after eating. Eating spicy foods tends to make you more satisfied, so you resist the urge to eat more or eat unhealthy snacks. In other words, appetite can be controlled and has an effect on weight loss. - Fighting free radicals
The capsaicin and vitamin C content in chilies also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body. This effect can protect the body from cell damage due to excess free radicals, which can trigger chronic diseases such as heart disease. - Preventing cancer
Capsaicin in chili, carotenoids in red chili, and violaxanthin in yellow chili are also known to fight cancer cells because they are antioxidants. In a study, the antioxidant content in chili was able to kill several cancer cells, including colon, liver, lung, and pancreatic cancer. However, the benefits of chili in treating cancer and its safety still need further research. - Treating psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes itching, scaling, and rashes. There is currently no cure for this autoimmune condition. However, capsaicin from cayenne pepper can help reduce itching and improve the appearance of skin caused by psoriasis.
Despite its many health benefits, consuming chili still needs to be done with caution. For some people, especially those with irritable bowel syndrome, consuming chili can actually cause stomach ache and diarrhea. To reduce the risk of side effects from consuming chili, you are advised to limit your chili intake to a maximum of half a cup per day.
For those of you who feel spicy after consuming food containing chili, drink milk or eat starchy foods, such as bread, to reduce the spiciness. You can get the various benefits of chili above if consumed in moderation. If you have a special health condition, you should consult a doctor first regarding the safe limit of chili consumption.
