The Healthy in the "Hot"

April 22, 2009

Spicy foods don’t fall short on flavor, but are there any health benefits to snacks with a kick? You might be surprised to learn that chili peppers and the powdered spices made from them are full of great nutritional qualities. The “hot” in chili peppers is a substance called capsaicin, which is known to help stimulate blood circulation, speed metabolism, and even reduce pain by releasing endorphins to the brain. On top of that, chilies are chock full of vitamin C, and new research suggests they may even help kill cancer cells. No need to stay bland to stay healthy. Just add a little heat!