Chillies

In today’s blog, I am writing about a food item which is having following benefits:

• It is loaded with antioxidants that help prevent and fight cancer.
• It has zero calories.
• It reduces the risk of heart diseases.
• Improves metabolism.
• Helps in blood sugar management.

You might be thinking, I am listing the health benefits of some common fruit, vegetables, or spice. But these are just a few health benefits of CHILLIES. Studies have proven that people who consumed chillies have lower risks of death from Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) by 26%, cancer by 23%, and other diseases by 25%. Simply put eating chillies regularly can help you live longer.

Chillies are hot, they are unhealthy, and we should avoid them. That’s the narrative we are used to, right? So, here is different Chilli tale. It takes you back to 7000 BC, when they were cultivated in Mexico, and it belongs to the capsicum family.

Indian and Chillies

It was said Mexicans used chillies to spice up their food, and even today Mexican chillies are popular. But you may be surprised to know, it was Christopher Columbus who helped globalising the chillies. He found America instead of India, and thought chillies were pepper and so it is that chillies are even today called chilli peppers in the Americas. He carried it back to Europe and we Indians got introduced to it by Portuguese invaders.

Chillies come in various sizes and shapes, and there are more than 400 varieties of them across the world. But again, the hottest variety is not in Mexico, but it is in our own Assam. It is called Naga Jolokia, cultivated in Tezpur. Today, India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of chillies. It is a must in almost all of our dishes, and most non- Indians find our food spicy. Today we have many varieties cultivated  across the country from Kashmir to Kerala. Byadagi, Kanthari, Sannam, Dhani, Jwala, Kashmiri, etc are some common varieties.

Nutritional Value

Chillies contain Vitamins A, C, E, K and also B-vitamins. They are high in fibre, and antioxidants and they may help bring down the body temperature. Many facts about chillies are myth-busting ones. They are healthy when eaten in moderation, and green chillies are healthier than red ones. Excess consumption can cause ulcers, and inflammation. It also contains minerals like Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, and Zinc. It also contains healthy protein. It is an alkaloid, capsaicin that gives it the pungent taste and smell. However, this is what also gives it  anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-diabetic properties.

Health Benefits

One of the most surprising benefits of chillies is that it helps with cardiovascular issues. It protects heart from attacks and strokes due to high amounts of beta-carotene. It also helps boost immunity, and manage blood sugar levels. It helps digestion through improved metabolism, and is good for skin health as well. The capsaicin compound stimulates the hypothalamus in our brain, thus helping to cool down our body. This is the strange explanation why chillies are consumed more in hot places. This compound also stimulates the mucus membranes and helps regulate the blood flow preventing sinus infections. Eating green chillies releases endorphins in the body, and that helps improve your mood. It also helps prevents osteoporosis and help in numbing pain like that of arthritis.

How to Eat

The best way to eat chillies is to eat them raw, a bit troublesome no doubt,  but that is when you get maximum benefits. Whole red chillies are better than using chilli powders. In any case, we know powders can be adulterated. But eating raw green ones in salad is the best, and maybe sprinkling them on salads is the best way to achieve this. You could also add chopped green chilli bits in raita. Typically, we Indians use chillies in stir-fries, gravies, savouries, and more. While the dry chillies are easier to store and powders easier to use, it may be a good idea to use fresh ones as much as possible. In India, we even make chilli pickles, and in some parts of India, Rotis are eaten with onions and chillies.. However, make sure not to eat too much of it or avoid if you have been advised by the doctor.

I hope, you will like this information about chillies.

Waiting for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

5^th April 2022.