Friday 2 May 2014

Superfoods for better health- Chillis...a hot and healthy superfood! Live well...


Why chillis are considered as a superfood?
  • Weight loss 
Chillis help in reducing body weight. It is gaining acceptance and popularity as a weight loss food. They boost metabolism and help in burning fat.
  • Heart health, cholesterol lowering and blood thinning actions
This superfood improves circulation. It is thought to reduce cholesterol levels and acts as a blood thinner. Being a blood thinner it may have a role in the prevention of stroke. Chillis prevent blood clot formation also. It improves heart health being a circulation booster and cholesterol reducing agent.
  • Reduce blood sugar 
There are many studies claiming chillis ability to lower blood sugar. So few chillis a day if good for reducing blood sugar is a good thing. It may help people on medications to reduce the dosage.

Also, it has been found that the insulin surge that happens normally after a meal rich in sweets and carbs gets reduced markedly with chili consumption. This has relevance in controlling obesity and weight loss too.
  • Reduces inflammation 
So it is useful in arthritis and related disorders. It also has pain-relieving actions.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
This, as the name suggests, is an irritating disease. Chillis are supposed to be effective here.
  • Neuropathy and pain
Since it has the ability to control pain it is effective in these conditions too.
  • Anti-cancerous
Some studies found that Chillies reduce stomach cancer risk. Capsaicin, the active compound in chillis retards the growth of cancer cells. It is also claimed to limit the spread of prostatic cancer.
  • Relaxation improves mental alertness
It improves alertness and may be useful in depression. Natural endorphins are released that better our mood. Well, it literally burns so how can anyone feel blue then, lol!

    
Surprising that hot chillis also have become superfoods!

I thought of writing this post when I watched a chilli trail on traveler channel a week ago. They tasted different types of chillis and hot sauces across America at various outlets. I laughed seeing them doing the typical dance moves people do when they feel the burning hot sensation, a familiar scenario all over the world :) after consuming hot chillis!

But I was surprised when I stumbled upon the wonderful medicinal value of this hot stuff when I browsed the web! The chilli has to be eaten raw to obtain it's full health benefits. And it is no easy task! Be slow and steady :) and be careful too! 


Always consult your doctor before doing such things like following a health tip. Only your doctor can decide what is good for you.

Dairy products help in reducing the burn. Have a cup of yogurt or milk ready if you are going to give it a try! They are better than cold water.

I have seen in the middle east chilli kept in vinegar with a little salt; it tastes yummy along with Shawarma, a popular Arabic snack. In India too some people like chilli in vinegar. Shawarma is rolled pita bread stuffed with chicken or beef with lettuce, potato chips, and garlic paste. The chicken soaked in exotic masala is stacked layer by layer on a metal rod in Shawarma maker, slow cooked to perfection by flame and cut into small pieces to be stuffed into bread.   

Food gives us pleasure. No philosophy will get into our heads if we are hungry. Good foods better our moods. Healthy foodstuffs bring positive health. Safeguard health.

Always remember, health is priceless. 
  • Nature has provided us with many unique gifts. Some may look ugly, taste bitter but they are treasure houses of well being. Our duty is to identify those, study about them and let others also know about the good things about it.
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24 comments:

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Rajiv, great post.
I love chilli. Soot in your garden this kind of very hot peppers.
I cook with her ​​spicy sauces.
Your photos are beautiful.
I wish you a nice weekend.
Greetings.

Birgitta said...

Love chilli :) Great photo!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Peppers are used ALOT in our country... I like some peppers --but not all. The extremely spicy ones are NOT for me... My favorite peppers are bell(green) peppers and banana peppers... YUM.
Hugs,
Betsy

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thank you Lucia !
Lovely comment :) Wow, you like chillies !
Great !
You too have an amazing weekend.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Burgitta :)
You like chilli ? Cool !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Wow, cool !
I thought very few are chilli fans but I find plenty now :)
Thanks Betsy :)

jonathan said...

I am in the Land of chillies but never like them as they upset my stomach. I know that eating these begins when one is young. Children are trained to eat them little by little. I see the Thai people eating them, sweating, but all healthy and strong. I try to eat a little because Thai food is never delicious without chillies. This is a very informative post. I also like your reflection.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I have never had these - although I have friends who love any type of hot chilli. A little too spicy for me :)

Karen Xavier said...

We use chillie in anything and everything... fresh big ones like the ones shown in your picture are dipped in batter and fried to make chillie bajji... you probably know all this.

Ela said...

What colorful vegetables. I have a large garden and cultivate organic vegetables. Lovely post !
Have a happy weekend :)

susanvg said...

Love your photo and what a lot of information! I eat mild peppers often - but not the spicy ones. Maybe I'll have to start.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thai chillies are very hot. Yes, tolerance develops to the burn over a period of time eating little by little. Cooking reduces it's medicinal effects.
I shot the top picture at the Supermarket. I thought it would be wonderful with the reflection on the mirror. Thanks.
Good comment, my dear friend !
Have an awesome weekend :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Well, it is the craze now-a-days ! A new superfood :)

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Yes Karan, the big, pale green ones that we see in that picture are used for making bajjis. This variety is not very hot, as you know. If planning to use chillies as health food avoid frying in oil. Moreover, cooking reduces it's medicinal effects.
The jalapenos, the small, dark green ones are very hot !
The slender, long green chillies were moderate. Capsicums are mild.
I looked for chinese chilli ( cheenimulaku, kaanthaari mulaku ), the fiery, flaming ones but it was not available. Now in Kerala these are in great demand because of the growth in pickles business. Will try to get it too asap and post :)

Thanks Karen for your visit to my blogs and this beautiful comment. Please feel free to visit here often and add comments like this.
Have a nice weekend !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Ela, you are lucky :)
Having an organic vegetable garden is awesome ! How beautiful ! Please tell us all about it and post pics too ! Wow !
I am also planning one; still have not taken the plunge, so many hassles ! Hope I will be able to grow one asap.
Thanks and same to you too !

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Thanks Susan !
Very happy for your visit to my blogs and thanks so much for this beautiful comment.
Slow and steady, please ! It is like 'playing with fire", lol !

Brian Miller said...

ah i absolutely love hot peppers...used to grow them in a bed out behind my house...so good for you

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Wow, great !
I am surprised to hear that so many people love chillies, that too hot ones, all over the world. I was under the impression that hot chillies were solely Asian favorites.
Thanks Brian, have a nice weekend :)

Blackswan said...

I love chillies too, any kind! In Chinese cuisines, we also add white vinegar to our chillies but only the green ones. Have you tried? My fave type of chilli is adding dried shrimps to them to make a paste & then fry them till fragrant. OMY, I could almost smell the fragrant right now. Hahaha!

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Yes Shirley !
The picture shows grape vinegar and chillies. We like this combo ! absolutely chilly ! :)
Eating fresh is ideal and I will be posting soon some recipes where we use it fresh.
Thanks and have an amazing week ahead !

Irina Kovalenko said...

You nearly persuaded me to try. After you! =))))))))

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Lol, its very hot stuff :)
Thanks Irina, beautiful comment.
Have an awesome weekend :)

Amelia said...

Hi Rajiv, very nice posting. Thanks for the great information. I love chilli too, here we have those small bird eyes chilli, very spicy and taste good. We Chinese also more or less can't eat our meal without chilli. LOL
I love those green chilli or jalapeno stuff with fish paste or mince chicken meat, then pan fry it.

Best regards.

Rajiv Sankarapillai said...

Love chilli :) Awesome foodstuff !
Glad to hear you too love it :)
Thanks Amelia :)