PEPPERS and CHILLIES  

Benefits:

• Sweet or bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Drawbacks:

• The skin of green peppers tends to be waxy, making them difficult to digest.
• Chilli peppers can irritate skin and mucous membranes.

Sweet or bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C (Vital for healthy teeth, gums, bones and skin), and also contain useful amounts of beta-carotene, the vegetable form of vitamin A (essential for good eyesight, and healthy skin and efficient immune system).

The colour - whether it's green, red, yellow or orange - depends on the variety and the stage of ripeness. Red peppers contain the highest levels of beta carotene. Chopped peppers are refreshing in summer salads, while serving them char grilled barely affects their nutrient content. Chilli peppers are more often used as a spice than a vegetable, as their fiery heat severely restricts how many you can eat. Mild chillies do exist, though, and chilli specialists have a whole vocabulary to describe there heat ratings. The compound that is responsible for chillies ‘fire power’ is capsaicin. This is most concentrated in the seeds and pith, which is why most recipes advise removing the seeds before adding them to a dish.

Wash your hands thoroughly after preparing them: no one who rubs their eyes after chopping chillies ever forgets it.

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Hot Peppers, also known as cayenne peppers, are renowned for their anti-inflammatory capabilities. Their active ingredient, capsaicin, is valued by both scientists and herbalists and has a long list of medicinal purposes: The hot spice is used medicinally for such disorders as osteoarthritis, diabetic neuropathy, cluster headaches, dyspepsia and psoriasis. It has been used for toothaches, nasal and sinus congestion and as a liniment for sprains. It may also improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood cholesterol and triglycerides and by increasing the body's ability to prevent blood clots. Some even see it as a natural weight loss aid because it raises the body's temperature and increases oxygen consumption, thereby consuming calories.

In the West Indies, cayenne pepper pods are soaked in hot water and then mixed with sugar and the juice of sour oranges to make a drink that is used to combat fever. Cayenne pepper is high in vitamins A and C. In fact, it actually has more vitamin C than oranges

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Burn off the fat....
Breaking out in a sweat while eating a spicy meal may be a good way to shake a few kilos. Add the following spices to your meals, and reap the benefits - just don't go overboard if you suffer from heartburn or have a peptic ulcer.

Take action:
Red chilli pepper: capsaicin, the compound that gives red chilli pepper its heat, has been reported to boost heat generation by the body, which helps to burn more energy; black pepper: studies suggest that this spice stimulates metabolism; ginger: the compounds that give this spice its kick also boost heat production, experts say; and mixed spice: this mixture of black pepper, red chilli, turmeric, cumin, ginger and so on, can also kick-start your metabolism.

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Return To The Following Index Pages:

1. Fruit
2. Vegetables
3. Herbs & Spices
4. Vitamins & Minerals