Medicinal properties of chili
peppers
Chili peppers, despite their fiery hotness, are one of very
popular spices known for their medicinal and health benefiting properties. The
chili, actually, is a fruit pod from the plant belonging to the nightshade
family (Solanaceae), within the genus, capsicum.
1. Chilies contain health benefiting an alkaloid compound in
them, capsaicin, which gives them strong spicy pungent character. Early
laboratory studies on experimental mammals suggest that capsaicin has
anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic and anti-diabetic properties. It
also found to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in obese individuals.
2. Fresh chili peppers, red and green, are rich source of
vitamin-C. 100 g fresh chilies provide about 143.7 µg or about 240% of RDA.
Vitamin C is a potent water-soluble antioxidant. It is required for the
collagen synthesis inside the human body. Collagen is one of the main
structural protein required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels,
skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps
protect from scurvy, develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts
immunity), and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
3. They are also good in other antioxidants such as vitamin-A,
and flavonoids like ß-carotene, a-carotene, lutein, zea-xanthin, and
cryptoxanthin.
4. Chilies carry a good amount of minerals like potassium,
manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and
body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is
used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide
dismutase.
5. Chilies are also good in B-complex group of vitamins such
as niacin, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin and thiamin (vitamin B-1).
These vitamins are essential in the sense that human body requires them from
external sources to replenish.
6. Chili peppers have amazingly high levels of vitamins and
minerals. Just 100 g provides (in % of recommended daily allowance):
240% of vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid),
39% of vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine),
32% of vitamin A,
13% of iron,
14% of copper,
7% of potassium,
but no cholesterol.
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