What Are The Benefits Of Eating Chili And What Diseases Does It Prevent?

Eating chili helps prevent cancer and is also recommended for relieving pain caused by arthritis and neuralgia. However, certain considerations must be taken into account before consuming it.

Thousands of people include different types of chili in their daily diet as a condiment for main dishes. From diced green apples to paches, there is a wide variety of dishes where this food can be used in many ways.

Chili is not only used to add flavor and diversity to gastronomy, but it also offers multiple health benefits.

Experts say that eating chili can prevent diseases, relieve discomfort, and generally provide nutrients that help strengthen the daily diet. In addition, they indicate that chili ( Capsicum ) has antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Other research indicates that its extracts contain capsaicinoids, to which many of its properties are attributed.

What are the benefits of eating chili?

First of all, chili contains capsaicin, a nutrient with multiple benefits. According to Monica Pinto, a Guatemalan nutritionist, this component helps maintain blood pressure at adequate levels and is also good for circulation. In addition, she mentions that it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. On the other hand, this food is also related to thermogenesis, since when consuming it, the body burns more calories.

In this regard, Pablo Lara, naturopath and chiropractor, explains that this process increases the basal metabolism and helps in the management of body weight. However, Pinto clarifies that the effect is minimal, which is why it is not recommended to consume this food in large quantities to lose weight. In addition, consumption should be moderate, especially if we are not used to using it in our daily diet.

What are the properties of chili?

According to Lara, these are the main properties of this food:

• Analgesics: Chili consumption provides pain relief, especially in conditions such as arthritis and neuropathic pain.

• Anti-inflammatory: Capsaicin helps reduce inflammation, which may be helpful for people with chronic inflammatory diseases.
• Antioxidants: Chili contains vitamins C and E, which combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. “This contributes to the prevention of chronic diseases and healthy aging,” says Lara.

Lara also claims that chili helps us improve our cardiovascular health and circulation. She also adds that this food helps reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

What are its medicinal uses?

Capsaicin is present in several medications, especially in vitamin supplements and in medicines designed to treat neuralgia and chronic pain.  

According to Lara and other expert voices, the medicinal properties of chili can be summarized in three:

1. Pain relief: Capsaicin is found in pain relief creams and patches, especially for conditions such as arthritis and neuropathic pain. Capsaicin can also be found in medications useful for treating chronic pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
2. Prevent diseases: As mentioned above, chili helps prevent heart diseases and certain types of cancer.
3. Improve digestion: Chili increases the production of saliva and gastric juices, which facilitates the digestion of food. However, it is important to remember that it should be consumed in moderation and that it has certain contraindications.

Contraindications of chili consumption

Experts mention some contraindications associated with this food. In general, it is contraindicated if you suffer from these conditions:

• Digestive disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux, frequent diarrhea, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, gallbladder problems and constipation

• Bleeding disorders
• Asthma
• Kidney diseases
• Sensitivity to spiciness

It is also contraindicated during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood. Also, you should not apply chili to the skin if it is severely damaged or broken or if you have surgery scheduled for two weeks or less. Also, do not consume chili if you are taking medications that have a negative interaction with capsaicin.

In any case, it is always advisable to consult your doctor about any changes in your diet or if you have any condition for which you should not consume this food. Otherwise, enjoy this condiment in moderation in multiple dishes, as well as its nutritional benefits.