Chili Peppers Are Hot On Nutrition

Chili peppers, also known as chile or chilli, come in a lot of varieties, shapes, and colors. But each has their own distinctive taste.

Some of the most common types are:

   - Cayenne - Averages 4 to 12 inches long, colors are red, orange, green or yellow, they are hot.

   - Jalapeno - Dark green or red, canned or fresh, they are hot.

   - Poblano - Dark shiny green, they are a large pepper, canned or fresh, they are milder.

   - Anaheim - 6 to 8 inches long, these are a dark, shiny green and mild.

   - Serrano - These are hot and often used in Mexican or Thai recipes, and are usually pickled, canned, or packaged in oil with veggies.

   - Cherry - Rounded and are red or green with a hot to sweet taste.

Nutritionally peppers supply Vitamin A, Vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium and iron.

Chili Pepper Health Benefits

Boost Metabolism

Capsaicin, a thermogenic agent, and Vitamin C increases metabolism. Vitamin C makes the metabolism amino acid carnitine. Capsaicin increases the production of the appetite suppressing hormone catecholamine. Many of the fat burning supplements available include capsaicin.

Immunity Booster

Peppers are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant, which is converted by your body into Vitamin A that fights infections. Vitamin A prevents germs from penetrating the lining of the lungs and nasal passages by keeping the mucous membranes strong.

Clearer Vision

Green and red peppers are loaded with the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin which minimize UV damage to the eye lens by approximately 55% or more. They absorb the harmful blue light rays protecting the retina.

Improve Heart Health

Capsaicin reduces cholesterol, triglycerides and platelet aggregation which helps reduce the risk of heart disease. It also helps in dissolving fibrin which in turns helps reduce the risk of blood clots.

Bloating and Indigestion

Capsaicin, a phytochemical, kills H. pylori, a bacteria that causes gastrointestinal issues such as bloating and indigestion. It also stimulates cells in the stomach lining to exude juices that causes ulcers.

Approximately 75 to 80 percent of capsaicin is in the seeds and ribs of chili peppers.

Healthy Recipe - Chicken and Chili Peppers

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds of chicken, cut up in pieces
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups diced red chili peppers
• 1/4 cup (half lemon juice and half lime juice)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix the lemon and lime juice, olive oil, peppers and salt.
2. Add the chicken and coat it well, refrigerate and marinade for 4 hours. (You can marinade overnight if you like.)
3. Broil or grill on medium to medium high heat for 30 minutes. Baste with the marinade as you cook it.
4. It's also very good served with salsa sauce.

Serves 4.

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