The Surprising Nutrition Behind Hot Peppers

Have you ever thought of buying hot peppers from the produce aisle? If you’re daunted by the heat, the health benefits may make you reconsider. They share a lot of important nutrients found in fruit along with the benefits of capsaicin, the chemical that causes the spiciness.

Here are some of their most surprising health benefits:

1. It may extend your life.
   According to one study, those who ate peppers lived longer than those who don’t. It may be due to peppers’ nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties.


2. It may boost your metabolism.
   Spiciness causes your body to heat up faster and helps prevent fat from building up, which may help you lose weight.


3. It may fight cancer.
   More research is needed on this, but early studies have shown that capsaicin may kill and stop the growth of certain types of cancers cells.


4. It has essential vitamins.
   Hot peppers are loaded with vitamins A, B and E and have three times more vitamin C than oranges. They also are loaded with antioxidants, which protect your cells and reduce inflammation.

There are plenty of ways to incorporate peppers into your cooking: you can throw them on the grill, bake them or eat them raw. Just remember to not touch your face when preparing peppers and thoroughly wash your hands after, otherwise you can burn your eyes.

Looking for other ways to improve your meals? Starting in 2020, you’ll be able to get nutritional counseling from your phone, tablet or computer with telehealth. You can work with a licensed dietician to get your questions answered and develop a personalized meal plan that’s right for you.