10 Benefits Of Chili Pepper

Chili pepper is also called chilli pepper or chilli. The fruit of plants from genus capsicum used as food and medicine. It originated in Mexico and South America, and spread across the world. The substance that gives spicy hot feeling is capsaicinoids, a phytochemical.

Below are known uses of Chili Peppers.

1. Crop defense
Conflicts between farmers and elephants have long been widespread in Africa and Asia where elephants destroy crops. Farmers found out that chillies are effective in crop defense. Elephants hate capsaicin (a capsaicinoid). They have large and very sensitive olfactory and nasal system that prevents them from feeding on the crops.

2. Boosts immune system
Red chillies contain large amounts of Vitamin C and small amounts of carotene while the green ones contains smaller amounts of both substances. The more capsaicin, the hotter the chili pepper and the higher the antioxidant level (capsaicinoids).

3. Protects your eyes
Chili peppers contain lutein and zeaxantin, which may slow development of eye disorders such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

4. Aids in weight loss
Capsaicin has been shown to curb appetite and stimulates heat production after they are eaten causing you to burn fat faster.

5. Anti-cancer
It appears that capsaicin may fire a lethal blow at cancer cells. In a prostrate study, capsaicin caused death of about 80% of prostrate cancer cells in mice, making tumors shink by one-fifth the size  of untreated tumors and also known to trigger suicide of prostrate cancer cells.

6. Helps prevent heart attack and stroke
Chili peppers such as cayenne, have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol level, triglyceride level, and platelet aggregation while it increases the body's ability to dissolve fibrin, a substance integral to the formation of blood clots. Natives who take chili peppers regularly have a much lower rate of heart attack and stroke according to a study.

7. Clears congestion
The spicy heat of chillies stimulate secretions that help clear mucus from your stuffed nose, throat and lungs. It is best when chili pepper is added in a hot soup.

8. Prevents stomach ulcer
Chillies can help prevent stomach ulcer by killing bacteria ingested while stimulating gastrointestinal lining to secrete protective buffering juices.

9. Lowers risk of type II diabetes
Australian researchers show that the amount of insulin required to lower blood sugar after a meal is reduced if the meal contains chili peppers. If chili peppers become a regular part of the diet, insulin requirements drop even lower.

10. Medicine
It is a safe and effective topical analgesic for management of joint pain, headache and some other types of pain. It is preferably used as cream. Be careful not to touch your eyes after touching chillies.