The native people of South and Central America have used chili peppers in their home remedies for thousands of years, so they understand the power of the chili.

Chili peppers have amazing properties, and as well as their effect on our taste buds, they also have a profound impact on the mind and body. The multiple use of this wondrous fruit is still being uncovered.

Chili peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C.

The US Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database lists red chilies as having 143.7 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams, while oranges contain only 45 milligrams per 100 grams. Green chilies contain significantly more vitamin C than the red equivalent, but as they ripen they develop substantial quantities of vitamin A (beta-carotene) and folate. The high mineral content includes sulphur, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

Numerous studies have highlighted the effect of capsaicin (the active chemical in chili peppers) on many of the body’s physiological process. As well as increasing metabolism, it reduces appetite; lowers cholesterol; reinforces the immune system; clears up nasal congestion; reduces pain and counteracts the negative effects of stress, to name, but a few (Reference: New Zealand Chili Handbook- by Garry Sommerville, 2008).

When you eat chili peppers it is not just your taste buds that feel their magic. They stimulate every part of your system and cells in your body. In the circulatory system, they can help regulate and improve the flow of blood from the head to the feet without increasing the heart rate.

Several scientific studies conducted in India have determined that there was no increase in cholesterol levels when foods high in cholesterol were eaten with peppers. When these experiments were replicated and expanded in a study performed at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, they discovered that not only did the consumption of chili peppers seem to prevent the absorption of cholesterol; it also helped thin the blood and prevent blood clots that can clog the arteries, causing strokes and heart attacks.