I have always believed it to be the case but I wanted to delve a little deeper and find out if my instinct that chilli peppers (a staple in pretty much everything we conjure up at the little taqueria) are actually good for you or just something I convinced myself of, the more my addiction grew! The good news for all you fellow heat junkies out there is that my research all pointed to a resounding “yes” chilli peppers are definitely good for your health. Hooray! These wonderful, colourful little fruits are packed full of a number of vitamins and the benefits are abound. Now for the science bit to back up the title of my blog…

Chilli peppers are packed full of immune boosting Vitamin C. We have all heard of Vitamin C and we all know that it is essential for keeping the bugs at bay and the doctors away. Chilli peppers are also great providers of Vitamin A however and this will keep your skin and eyes in good check.

Additionally in the Vitamin A corner, we have the presence of Beta Carotene which is the red/orange pigment found in plants and vegetables which lends it’s colour to the fruit or veg. Why is this stuff good? Well the body converts it to Vitamin A. Even more healthiness for your eyes and skin! Chilli peppers are also a great source of Folic Acid and this is good news because it helps your body form and maintain new cells. It also prevents your DNA from undergoing change which is important for preventing diseases such as cancer.

On top of this, these spicy fruits also contain Potassium which controls fluid and water balance in the body. Potassium is also known for aiding anxiety / stress and helps prevent heart and kidney problems. If that wasn’t enough, Potassium also boosts your metabolism, increases muscle strength and leads to stronger bones. Now that is some powerful stuff!

If all the above wasn’t enough to convince you to spice up your meals then a recent study at Purdue University in the States might. Researchers there found that Capsaicin (the chemical found in chilli peppers which makes them hot) has been shown to reduce cravings for the bad stuff such as salty, sugary and fatty foods!1 Have you ever noticed that chillies are addictive? That’s thanks to this same chemical. Capsaicin creates the burning sensation which triggers your brain to release its natural painkillers (or endorphins) and this in turn provides the high or rush you experience after eating them. I would argue that this addictive chemical is also healthy as it is simply encouraging you to eat more of a fruit packed with goodness!

As you can see, the resounding evidence seems to suggest that eating chillies is in fact good for you. I hope this blog has inspired you to chop up a few to pop in your next meal and enjoy sensibly with an ice cold beer…

Kerry Hall
the little taquero