Chili peppers are particularly known for their spicy taste, but consumption can also provide a variety of health benefits. Chilies have an anti-inflammatory effect, they strengthen heart health, can help you lose weight and increase life expectancy.
The chili belongs to the genus of pepper plants. They are available in different sizes and colors as well as in very different levels of sharpness. Chilies are known around the world by a variety of names such as Spanish pepper, peperoni, peperoncini or pepperoni. The spice cayenne pepper also consists of chili powder.
Slowly get used to the spiciness
Even if chilies generally seem very hot at first, it is possible to get used to the spiciness by adding the smallest possible amount of chilies to dishes or by only using mild chilies to begin with.
The chili can usually be easily integrated into your diet in order to benefit from its health benefits.
Promotes heart health
For example, according to experts at Majo Clinic, chili can promote heart health. This is due to the capsaicin it contains, which is also responsible for the spiciness.
Capsaicin reduces inflammation, which is known to promote plaque buildup in the walls of blood vessels and thus promote arteriosclerosis.
Strengthens the immune system
Capsaicin also strengthens the immune system, which is also beneficial for heart health. “Eating hot chili peppers could have really important benefits, particularly in terms of their ability to reduce some immune cell responses that trigger hardening of the arteries and heart attacks,” said Dr. DeLisa Fairweather from Majo Clinic.
Hot chilies increase life expectancy
Consuming hot chilies also appears to be associated with a positive effect on life expectancy. Research concludes that regular consumption of spicy foods is inversely associated with all-cause mortality and mortality from specific causes, regardless of other risk factors.
This statement is also supported by the results of another study. In this, experts from the University of Vermont College of Medicine report that consumption of hot red chili peppers is associated with significantly lower early mortality.
Promotes weight loss
Last but not least, consuming chilies can also have a beneficial effect on weight. A study has shown that continuous consumption of chili over a period of up to twelve weeks promotes weight loss.
This weight loss is due to the fact that the capsaicin contained in the chili activates certain receptors, which causes an increase in intracellular calcium levels and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, the researchers explain.
Beneficial for diabetes and obesity
In addition, chilies influence energy consumption by activating brown adipose tissue and improve insulin levels, which can have positive effects on obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the research team continued. Overall, chili affects a number of parameters that promote weight loss.
This assessment is also confirmed by a current study in which the researchers report that, in addition to many other health benefits, chili also has an effect in the treatment of obesity. Chili also stimulates the immune system and inhibits inflammation, which – as described above – is healthy for the heart.
Eat chilies regularly
The study results make it clear that it can be useful to make chilies an integral part of your diet, especially to protect your heart health and increase your life expectancy. (as)
