Chili peppers: benefits and harms for the body and how to eat them?

Many people know that chili peppers have a distinctive, bitter, and pungent flavor. But not everyone knows that this product has uses beyond cooking. It also has medicinal properties used to treat various ailments and eliminate cosmetic defects. However, to use it successfully, it's important to understand the benefits and harms, when chili peppers are used in folk medicine, and for whom they are contraindicated.

There are several varieties of this vegetable, each with its own properties, flavor, and aroma. Not all varieties are used medicinally; most are used as a culinary seasoning.

Types and health benefits of chili peppers

Chili is a collective name that includes several varieties of this plant. Pepper varieties vary based on flavor, shape, size, and other characteristics of the fruit. The main types of this crop are:

1. Anaheim. Other names for this pepper include Magdalena or California chili. The fruit is green, elongated, and slightly spicy. It has a pleasant, fruity-spicy aroma.

   

2. Banana. Also known as wax pepper, the fruit is distinguished by its elongated, slender shape. Its aroma can be described as mild and piquant, while the taste of this chili variety is sweet, but not cloying.
3. Cayenne chili. This pepper has glossy skin and a wrinkled appearance. It has a curved, oblong shape. It has a smoky, tart aroma and a spicy flavor.

   

4. Fresno. This pepper is distinguished by its diminutive size. It has a conical shape and a smooth, yet fairly tough, skin. Inside the fruit are numerous seeds. The Fresno has a hot, warm flavor and a spicy aroma. When dried, the fruit acquires a smoky flavor.
5. Habanero. This lantern-shaped fruit is green or bright red in color. It has a pungent, exotic flavor and a sweet aroma. The flavor and aroma are vaguely reminiscent of tropical fruits.

   

6. Jalapeño. This pepper has a curved shape, a blunt tip, and smooth skin. It has a spicy, pungent, slightly vinegar-like flavor. It is one of the most famous chili pepper varieties worldwide.
7. Padrón. This pepper is also known as the Spanish pepper. It has a curved shape, with fine grooves along the skin. This fruit has a unique aroma, combining the flavors of thyme, hot pepper, and parsley. This pepper is considered a mild variety.

   

8. Piquillo. Another sweet red pepper. It has a conical shape and smooth skin.
9. Poblano. Other names for this fruit include Ancho and Mulato. This fruit is distinguished by its large size and dark green color. Its shape is curved and elongated, and the skin is thick. Its flavor is bright, spicy, and earthy.
10. Red Thai chili peppers. They are distinguished by their small size and smooth, thin skin. When ripe, the peppercorns take on a red hue.

    

11. Serrano. The peppers are elongated with rounded tips. The skin is smooth and shiny. The flavor is quite distinctive, bright, and slightly tart.
12. Shishito. Japanese pepper – an elongated fruit with grooves all over its surface. The skin is glossy, bright green.

Of course, not all chili varieties are used in folk medicine. Most are used in cooking, and the red, pungent fruit is used for therapeutic purposes.

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Composition and beneficial properties of chili peppers

The composition of hot chili includes:

• carotene;
• retinol;
• thiamine;
• riboflavin;
• niacin (vitamin B3);
• ascorbic acid;
• folic acid.

The product is also enriched with minerals:

• magnesium;
• copper;
• manganese.

The general benefits of this hot, spicy fruit for the body include:

• protection of the heart;
• weight loss;
• preventing the formation of cancerous tumors;
• prevention of cephalgia and migraine;
• preventing the development of pathological lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Benefits for men

According to the results of an experiment conducted by French scientists, regular consumption of this pepper by men helps prevent impotence. These conclusions were based on studies that found that chili peppers increase testosterone secretion, which is the main male sex hormone.

Thus, men who consume this product or sauces made from it are much less susceptible to impotence and other reproductive problems associated with hormonal imbalances in the body.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIunOqn4Xn4

Benefits for women

One of the main problems women face is excess weight and cellulite. Chili can help get rid of these "horrors," as the fiery spice literally destroys fat cells, thereby promoting weight loss.

This fruit is also known for its benefits for hair and skin. It's used to make strengthening and cleansing masks that can be used at home.

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Contraindications to the use of chili peppers and harm to the body

This pepper can cause serious health risks, so even healthy people should consume it with extreme caution. The main contraindications include:

1. Gastric ulcers. This product should not be consumed by those with erosions or ulcers on the stomach or duodenal walls. However, in some cases, doctors allow small amounts of this vegetable, as it kills pathogenic microorganisms and prevents the growth of putrefactive bacteria.

   

2. Gastritis and other conditions associated with increased acidity increase the risk of heartburn.
3. Previous surgery on the stomach or other gastrointestinal organs. However, pepper consumption should be avoided after any surgery performed under general anesthesia. The patient should follow a diet for several days.
4. Pregnancy and the postpartum period (including lactation). Under these circumstances, the product may be harmful to the fetus and newborn baby. In particular, it may cause increased gas, colic, and abdominal pain in infants.
5. Children under 12 years of age. This is a strict prohibition; do not violate it, otherwise you could "drive" your child to gastritis or peptic ulcer.

It's important to eat chili in moderation. The maximum amount is one per day. Excessive consumption of the fruit can not only exacerbate existing conditions or allergies, but can also lead to cancer.

Use of pepper for medicinal purposes

Hot peppers not only have excellent taste but also numerous medicinal properties. This product has a beneficial effect on the functioning of various organs, systems, and endocrine glands.

For vessels

Eating this fruit helps lower blood pressure in hypertension, cleanse blood vessels, remove "bad" cholesterol from the body, etc.

Peppers can be eaten raw (no more than one pepper per day) or in sauces, salad dressings, and other similar dishes. There is no time limit for this therapy—you can eat the spice every day.

Getting rid of excess weight

For weight loss purposes, you can use one of two recipes:

1. Take a teaspoon of ground pepper and dissolve it in a glass of boiling water.
2. Pour chili powder into vodka or rubbing alcohol in a 1:5 ratio, respectively. Let it steep for 21 days.

The directions for using both medications are the same. Take 5 ml half an hour before meals. Wash down with clean, still water.

Help with colds

Pepper tea can be helpful for colds accompanied by a severe cough. To prepare it, pour a cup of boiling water over a pinch of the hot spice. Once the infusion has reached room temperature, add 5 ml of honey. Drink the mixture in one go.

Good for the stomach

Before using medications made from this product for stomach ailments, it is essential to consult a doctor.

1. Pour half a teaspoon of ground chili powder into a liter of boiling water. Let it steep until it cools completely. Take 5 ml of the medicine half an hour before meals.
2. Alcohol tincture. Cut several fresh capsicum pods into small pieces and pour a glass of vodka over them. Infuse for 14 days in a cool, dark place. The instructions for use are the same as for the tincture.

Getting rid of headaches

To relieve a headache or migraine attack, it's recommended to take a few drops of fresh cayenne pepper juice. Incidentally, this remedy is also effective for high blood pressure.

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Rejuvenation

Using this fruit for rejuvenation involves adding a few drops of freshly squeezed juice to creams, toners, and face and body lotions. But don't overdo it, or you could cause serious burns. 3-5 drops of juice are enough for one tube of cream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh20K6OqhkI

For skin and hair

Various face and hair masks are prepared based on this product.

1. Remove the seeds from a third of a red pepper and grind them thoroughly. Add 15 ml each of cabbage and carrot juice to the mixture. Mix all ingredients and apply the finished mask to your face. After 10 minutes, remove any remaining mixture with a cotton pad, then wash your face thoroughly. Finally, apply a nourishing cream.
2. Grind fresh bell peppers and chili peppers. Take 2 tablespoons of the former, mix it with 1 teaspoon of the latter, then add 15 ml of homemade heavy cream and 1 egg yolk. Beat all ingredients thoroughly, then apply to cleansed skin. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with a warm herbal infusion.

   

3. Another recipe for dry skin. The pepper mixture is the same as in the previous recipe, but instead of sour cream or kefir, 15 ml of olive oil or milk is added. Beat all ingredients thoroughly, then apply the mixture to your face. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then remove it with a cosmetic pad. Next, wash thoroughly and apply a nourishing cream.

Red pepper combats hair breakage and loss. Its juice can also be added in small quantities to shampoos, conditioners, and balms.

You can also massage an alcohol tincture of this fruit (the recipe was given earlier), mixed in equal parts with any vegetable oil, into your scalp 1-2 times a week. Leave this mask on for half an hour, wrapping your head with a towel, then rinse with a mild shampoo.

You can make a mask using 30 ml of hot chili tincture and the same amount of full-fat kefir. Place the mixture in a double boiler and warm it to the desired temperature, then apply it to the scalp. Leave the mask on for 2-3 hours, wrapping your head in a warm scarf.

If you carry out these procedures 1-2 times a week, then after just a few sessions you will notice that your hair has become stronger and has less split ends.

How to eat chili?

In cooking, this product is primarily used as a seasoning. Thanks to its unique flavor, chili is perfect for fresh salads and meat dishes. It is also used to season fish, add to sandwiches, and add to other culinary delights.

Eating raw peppers, especially without anything else, is not recommended – it can be harmful to your health. It's best to add them to soups and borscht, and to make sauces, condiments, and dressings. Chili powder is added to vegetable oils, which are then used to dress salads.

Fresh peppers can be frozen. Dried peppers should be stored on a string in a dry place, hanging.

Before using, the chili needs to be washed well, then cleaned of seeds, rinsed inside – and it can be used for cooking.

When cooking liquid foods, peppercorns can be used whole. For stews, they should be cut into small pieces, cubes, or slices—it's up to the cook's discretion.

The product can be eaten with or without bread. In this case, it is recommended to fry the fruit first and remove the film formed during cooking. In addition to salt, other spices can be added to slightly "soften" the pungent and bitter taste of this product.

To obtain a powder for use in various dishes, the peppers must first be thoroughly dried. Then, they are minced. If the powder isn't effective enough, they can be further ground in a blender—and the seasoning will be ready. This is much better than buying store-bought ground chili, which may contain various additives, such as colorings, flavor enhancers, and so on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chili is a type of pepper, which has gained popularity in both cooking and alternative medicine and cosmetology. However, caution should be exercised with this product, as overuse can seriously harm health, including the development of cancer.