Red Chilli Uses, Side Effects and Health Benefits
Used for decades, red chilli or lal mirch is common in every household. From having a fierce spicy taste to adding colour to any cuisine, they are famous across the world. They are found in different variants and each of them has its own flavour and form. In addition to its great taste, red chilli also has several health benefits.
Simply put, Indian food is incomplete without it. It is a delight to everyone that enjoys spicy food and has multiple health advantages. However, just like every coin has two sides, this spice too has its own benefits and side effects. So according to wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects it is the most sought-after topic from every household to the restaurant.
Important Characteristics of Red Chilli You Should Know About
Over decades, red chilli has been used as a spice and condiment. It is an important plant used to treat various illnesses too. Therefore, being a rich source of healthful substances, it contributes a lot to the functioning of the body. So here are the characteristics you should know about it:
• Anti-inflammatory properties.
•Anti-microbial properties.
•Antioxidant properties.
•Anti-cancer properties.
•Anti-ulcer properties.
•Memory boosting properties.
•Blood sugar reduction properties.
•Blood sugar lowering properties.
•Cholesterol lowering properties.
•Anthelmintic properties.
Health Benefits of Red Chilli
In addition to adding taste to any cuisine, red chilli is also used for other purposes such as curing illness. According to wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects you should know about:
Proper Digestion
Red Chilli helps in proper digestion as it can relieve constipation. It accelerates the digestive process by assisting gastric juice secretion at a suitable level. It also keeps the intestine healthy by eliminating harmful intestinal bacteria. As a result, you may not face any gas or acidity problems.
Healthy Heart
Red chilli has a magic ingredient known as capsaicin that hinders the growth of blood clots. It also aids in lowering blood triglycerides, platelet aggregation and bad cholesterol. Overall, it helps in maintaining a healthy heart.
Balanced Weight
Do you know red chilli helps in weight maintenance? Yes, as per wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects, they increase the body’s metabolic rate resulting in burning extra body fat and suppress appetite. Besides, it may also take control over hunger cravings. So if you want to reduce weight, add red chilli to your diet on a daily basis. It is completely helpful because it increases metabolism along with reducing hunger.
Controls Blood Pressure
Having high content of potassium, red chillies are capable of maintaining the flexibility of the blood vessels. The capsaicin present in them makes you feel hot after eating them. Therefore, it maintains blood pressure by encouraging the release of vasodilators. As a result, it enhances your blood flow along with maintaining cardiac health.
Improves Cognitive Function
Being high in iron content, red chillies increase haemoglobin synthesis. As a result, it enhances blood and oxygen flow to the brain, thereby improving cognitive abilities. Furthermore, it also improves one’s thinking abilities, learning capabilities, problem-solving, decision-making, and overall mental health. Besides, it also lessens the risk of illnesses like Alzheimer’s.
Builds Immunity
Another benefit of red chillies is that it helps in building immunity as they are a good source of vitamin C. Therefore, it aids in fighting against infections and reduces the risk of cancer by lowering the amount of free radicals.
Other Benefits of Red Chilli
As per wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects, here are its other benefits :
Anti-Inflammatory
Capsaicin is one of the red chilli’s active ingredients that has anti-inflammatory properties. If you’ve pain and inflammation, then add it to your regular diet. Besides, consuming red chillies is also helpful if you’ve muscle or joint pain. To lessen the pain, it connects with the nerve terminals in our bodies that have pain-sensing abilities.
Healthy Skin and Hair
As per wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects, red chillies are a great source of Vitamin A and C as well as minerals. As Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, it helps in maintaining healthier skin and hair. Besides, Vitamin A present in red chillies helps the hair to retain its moisture content.
Relieves Nasal Congestion
Having antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, red chillies aid in clearing nasal mucus and relieving nasal congestion. Not only this, but it also helps in fighting against sinus infections.
Side Effects of Red Chilli
Be it eating momos or topping chaat, many people enjoy spicy foods. Even though it is a taste enhancer, it also has some negative consequences. Wondering if red chilli can be bad for your health? The answer is yes. As per wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects, excess consumption of it can lead to serious health issues. So even if you like eating spicy food, here are its side effects you should know about :
Dangerous for Asthma
Eating excessive red chilli increases the risk of asthma attacks. It is because it contains ingredients that are dangerous to respiratory diseases. Also consuming it excessively during pregnancy can lead to respiratory issues in the baby.
Diarrhoea
Eating excessive red chilli can lead to digestive issues as spicy foods result in destroying nutrients. As a result, it leads to diseases like diarrhoea and can also make you feel nauseated.
Stomach Ulcers
As per wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects, eating excessive red chilli can lead to stomach ulcers. This is because of a chemical present in them known as aflatoxin. This can also be harmful for diseases like colon cancer and liver cirrhosis. It can also lead to stomach discomfort like pain, cramping, gastric, loose motion, etc.
Mouth Blisters
Another side effect of consuming red chilli is that it leads to mouth blisters which can result in mouth ulcers. Also consuming a lot can lead to a burning sensation, swelling, tingling sensation, and skin redness in the mouth as well as on the lips.
Nasal Injury
Another side effect of consuming too much red chilli is that it can cause nasal injury. It can cause sudden inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract leading to issues like throat irritation, coughing, choking, shortness of breath and constant sneezing.
Extreme Injury
As per wellhealthorganic.com:red-chilli-you-should-know-about-red-chilli-uses-benefits-side-effects, consuming extreme red chillies can lead to more severe issues. This includes high blood pressure, skin cancer, increased strokes and heart attack.
Who Should Not Consume Red Chillies Excessively?
No Indian meal is complete without red chillies. Even though excessive consumption can be a threat to one’s health, that doesn’t mean one cannot consume it. Consuming it in small quantities is not harmful at all. However, there are some precautions to take when consuming it and here is who can consume it but in small quantities :
- People who consume blood pressure medication must avoid red chillies. This is because the components may interact with the medicines.
- Red chillies must be kept away from small children as well as adults as it can cause stomach discomfort.
- Even though there is no major report of consuming red chillies for pregnant and breastfeeding women, you must consider seeking advice from a physician. Even if you’re having it as a herb, it might affect your health as it contains toxins.
- It shouldn’t be used for the purpose of self-medicating. Besides, if you use red chillies excessively in your diet, then quit today.