What properties does hot pepper have? Benefits and harm to health will be indicated in the materials of this article. You will also learn about what substances this product contains and where it is used.
Basic information
What is hot pepper? The harm and benefits of this spice are known to few. We will talk about them a little further.
According to experts, the product is a fresh or dried fruit of a certain variety of tropical shrub Capsicum annuum or Capsicum frutescens. Thus, this ingredient is a spice that has a burning taste.
Does hot pepper have a different name, the harm and benefits of which should be known to all people? In Russian, the name of such a spice is consonant with the country of Chile. However, its name has nothing to do with this state. After all, the word chilli in this case belongs to the Astekan language Nahuatl and literally translates as "red".
Product properties
What makes hot pepper so special? The benefits and harms to the body are determined by the properties of this product.
The considered piquant seasoning is actively used in various areas of cooking. The burning and pungent taste of this product is associated with the presence in its composition of such an alkaloid substance as capsaicin (approximately 2% of dry weight). Moreover, the mentioned ingredient is practically absent in other, sweeter varieties of pepper.
The higher the content of capsaicin in the composition of the mentioned vegetable, the stronger its burning properties. A person just needs to touch the red fetus slightly to feel a burning sensation on his skin.
Where to use?
Where is hot pepper used? The harm and benefits of this spice are the subject of debate by many experts. By the way, the latter claim that the product in question can be used not only in culinary practice. Often it is used for medicinal purposes in the form of various tinctures.
Structure
What are the components of hot pepper? The harm and benefits of this spice are caused not only by the presence in it of such a substance as capsaicin, but also by such elements as vitamins A, E, B and PP. One cannot but say that the raw fruit exceeds even the most vitamin citrus fruit, lemon, in the content of ascorbic acid. Among other things, this ingredient contains a large amount of carotene, fatty oils and carbohydrates.
Thus, it can be safely noted that the unique composition of this product determines not only its unusual taste, but also healing properties. To verify this, you should consider the effect of this vegetable on the human body.
Hot peppers: health benefits and harms
Few people know, but the product in question is actively used in alternative medicine. Its proper use helps not only to strengthen a weakened human immunity, but also positively affect the entire patient's body.
So how does hot pepper affect a patient? The benefits and harms for men and women will be discussed further:
- Studies by specialists have shown that capsaicin, contained in red pepper, accelerates hair growth well. By adding the juice of this product to the hair mask, you can significantly enhance the blood circulation of the scalp, which, in turn, stimulates the hair follicles and enhances the action of the nutrients of the product used.
- The analgesic properties of hot pepper are explained by the fact that its use contributes to the production of endorphins, that is, hormones that muffle pain and relieve stress. It cannot be said that endorphins significantly enhance myocardial circulation, as well as inhibit the development of atherosclerosis and take part in the thermoregulatory process.
- Hot pepper affects the human appetite in two ways. In small doses, this product excites it, and in large doses it inhibits it.
- Hot pepper juice can lower blood pressure. However, it should be noted that its use should be started very carefully, with a few drops, taking into account all the side effects. It is interesting that during heat treatment these properties are almost completely lost. In this regard, hypertensive patients should use only freshly squeezed juice.
- Red, or hot pepper, can become an indispensable product during depression. To do this, every day you should prepare yourself freshly squeezed juice. Just a few drops of this liquid can improve a person’s worldview and mood.
- An indispensable product in question is during diets. Only a few drops can significantly increase the metabolism. In addition, adding this spice to a dish allows the human body to burn about 45 kcal.
- British scientists have proved the effectiveness of hot pepper in the fight against cancer. At the same time, for the prevention and treatment of cancer use water tincture of hot pepper. For this, 5 g of dry powder is poured into 210 ml of cooled boiled water and insisted for about 20 minutes. The resulting solution is used three times a day for a dessert spoon, after adding it to the water.
- Alcoholic hot pepper tincture is sold in all pharmacies. This is an excellent warming agent, which is used at the first sign of a cold. In addition, this solution works well with radiculitis. In this case, it is used for rubbing the back before going to bed. Long and deep warming will provide the patient with a quick recovery.
- Capsaicin has a beneficial effect on the large intestine. This is due to the fact that it gives hot pepper a laxative effect. Also, since ancient times, this product is actively used in flatulence.
As for contraindications to the use of the spice in question, they will be presented right now.
Prohibitions for appointment
When can not I use hot pepper? The benefits and harms of the pancreas have been discussed for many decades. Some experts argue that this product does not affect this body. As for others, they report that with diseases of the pancreas, the use of acute spices is prohibited.
Also, the product in question can be harmful in case of personal intolerance to the constituent substances and in the presence of allergies. In addition, this spice should not be given to children and adolescents.
If the patient has CCC diseases, especially in severe form (for example, angina pectoris, arrhythmia), then you should be careful when taking this ingredient. After all, the oversized dosage, taken once, can quite easily cause a heart attack.
What other human conditions prohibit the use of hot pepper? The benefits or harms to the liver are known to many experts. However, most of them argue that such a product is undesirable to include in your diet for any diseases of the digestive tract. Otherwise, this may aggravate the already difficult condition of the patient.
To summarize
Now you know what hot peppers are. Experts report that with the correct use of this product, it has a positive effect on the human body. However, this vegetable should not be abused, as its components are extremely active and can cause significant harm to the patient's health.