Reasons why you should eat chili peppers

According to doctors, chili peppers are a spice that enhances appetite, aids digestion, and eliminates fishy odors. Chili peppers are rich in vitamins and minerals that help prevent and treat diseases, boost health, rejuvenate skin, reduce pain, aid weight loss, and their strong antioxidant properties help prevent cancer...

Chili peppers are the richest source of vitamin C among fresh vegetables. 100g of fresh chili peppers contain 143.7mg of vitamin C, 2-3 times more than an orange. This nutrient is essential for collagen synthesis in the body, maintaining the integrity of blood cells, skin, internal organs, and bones.

Consuming foods rich in vitamin C helps boost immunity, eliminate harmful elements, enhance iron absorption, control heart disease and atherosclerosis, lower cholesterol, and prevent cataracts. This vitamin is water-soluble and the body cannot produce or store it, so it needs to be supplied daily.

Chili peppers are rich in minerals such as potassium, manganese, iron, and copper. Potassium is an important component of cells and body fluids, helping to control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used as a cofactor for antioxidant enzymes. Copper is an essential antioxidant, helping to keep bones and nerve cells healthy. Chili peppers contain no cholesterol.

Chili peppers are rich in nutrients that are good for your health. (Photo)Unsplash.

Chili peppers are also widely used in medicine. The chemical compound capsaicin in chili peppers is used to make ointments, powders, and tinctures due to its astringent, anti-irritant, and analgesic properties. These formulations have been used in the treatment of arthritis, neuralgia, muscle pain, and more.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, for hair loss, chop up chili peppers and soak them in white wine for about 10-20 days, then apply the mixture to the affected area several times a day. For joint pain, falls, or injuries, use a sufficient amount of chili powder; in winter, mix it with wine, and in summer, mix it with vinegar and apply it to the painful area; or crush 10 red chili peppers and a radish and apply the mixture to the painful area.

For those with body odor, soak chopped chili peppers in iodine alcohol and apply to the armpits 1-2 times a day. To treat back pain and joint pain, take 15 ripe chili peppers, 3 papaya leaves, and 80g of *Cynanchum auriculatum* root, crush them, and soak them in alcohol at a 1:2 ratio. Use this mixture to rub on the painful area.

Things to note when eating chili peppers.

The capsaicin in chili peppers gives them their intense spiciness, causing a burning and stinging sensation in the mouth, tongue, and throat when eaten. Eating cold yogurt can reduce the burning sensation by diluting the concentration of capsaicin and preventing it from coming into contact with the stomach lining.

Avoid touching your eyes with fingers contaminated with chili. If you accidentally touch your eyes, rinse them with cold water to reduce stinging and irritation.

Dr. Than advises that although chili peppers have many benefits, they should only be consumed in moderation to avoid harm. Chili peppers can worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease. People with gastritis, peptic ulcers, hemorrhoids, hypertension, sore throat, esophagitis, or body heat should eat little or no chili peppers.

Chemical compounds like aflatoxin found in spoiled chili peppers can cause stomach, liver, and colon cancer.

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