Red pepper: benefits and harms, properties and vitamins. Hot pepper

A plant up to 60 cm high with branched stems, elliptical leaves, large white or grayish flowers with purple spots. These fruits are berries with a low-juicy pericarp from spherical to trunk-shaped, from yellow and red to black-olive. Hot (red) pepper has a strong spicy aroma and taste from spicy to hot and even very hot (due to the content of the phenolic compound capsaicin, which is not found in sweet bell pepper). Some varieties of hot red peppers are so hot that just touching them is enough to cause skin irritation.

Hot red pepper is obtained from the ripe fruits of the Capsicum frutescens plant. These red peppers are smaller than regular red sweet peppers. They differ from each other depending on the variety. After drying, the pods become dark red or orange-red. Drying the peppers vivo, after which they shrivel, then they are separated from the cup, and grind.

Currently, about 2000 varieties of pepper have been bred, which differ in shape, color, and pungency.

The most famous chili pepper Cayenne pepper, named after the city of Cayenne in South America.

Useful properties of hot pepper

Their fruits contain a large number of oils (essential, fatty), wax, dyes, vitamins, B1, B2,.

The fruits of hot peppers contain hot capsaicin, and its content is 20 times higher than the amount of capsaicin in sweet peppers. If you touch the skin, it can even cause a burn. Traditionally, Europeans use hot peppers to a lesser extent than the inhabitants of the tropics.

Hot pepper is a good remedy to stimulate appetite. For this, it is most appropriate to use an alcohol tincture of fruits. It should be taken 10-15 drops before meals. But there is one “but” here: this tincture should be used only by those who have a healthy esophagus, stomach, kidneys and normal heart activity.

Pepper is an indispensable tool for those who suffer from intestinal disorders, as it has a fairly high bactericidal effect. Pepper is taken externally and with myositis, rheumatism, polyarthritis, gout, with catarrh of the upper respiratory tract in the form of rubbing tinctures or ointments that you can prepare yourself. For example, to prepare an ointment, you will need one part of the tincture and 3 parts of vegetable oil. Or you can use pepper patch as a skin irritant and distraction. The ointment is good to use for mild frostbite.

The fruits of hot pepper are added when canning vegetables, ground fruits are included in the curry spice mixture. One of the hottest Tabasco sauces is prepared from canned chopped fruits, based on a saline or acetic solution. In South American cuisine, hot pepper is very popular: it is used in the preparation of meat, fish, soups, eggs and vegetables.

Dangerous properties of hot pepper

A pungency that may be beneficial to some people may sometimes seem detrimental to others. So, hot pepper can harm patients with angina pectoris, arrhythmia, hypertension, as well as unhealthy liver and kidneys. People with ulcers and gastritis, with problems intestinal tract can get bleeding, burns, and even end up in the hospital. Therefore, adding this spice to food is dangerous in large quantities.

In addition, there are varieties that can easily cause skin irritation just from touching them. Therefore, if you are preparing some kind of dish with pepper, then try not to touch your eyes. Wash dishes and hands thoroughly. By negligence, it is useless to drink hot peppers eaten with water, it is advised to “cool the heat with yogurt” or milk, although you can easily kill the spiciness with sour - for example, lemon.

Who doesn't love spicy food? It is rare that someone does not additionally pepper the finished dish.

The topic of the article is red pepper, its benefits and harms. Red spice is very rich in vitamins and useful microelements.

Let's talk more about chemical composition hot pepper.

What is the use

It is worth noting that the benefits of using not only the pulp of peppers, but also seeds.

So, the composition of the bitter vegetable contains:

vitamin C or ascorbic acid. Moreover, this legume is the leader among vegetables in terms of vitamin C content. Which has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
vitamin E, which has a beneficial effect on the skin, increasing its elasticity;
B vitamins;
vitamin RR.

And many others important elements, without which the normal functioning of the body cannot be carried out.

Application

Chili spice is widely used for:

Improvement in digestion.
Acceleration of metabolism and blood circulation. Because of what it is widely used in the fight against cellulite. Increases body temperature, which accelerates the breakdown of subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Baldness prevention. Again thanks to its ability to increase blood flow.
Normal functioning of the female genitourinary system.
Antioxidant effect on the skin. Women who prefer spicy foods have been proven to keep their youthful appearance longer..
Diet food. The calorie content of pepper is only 40 kcal / 100 gr. Average weight 1 small pod about 40-50 gr.
Facilitate the flow of critical days in women. Also applies when a loop fails. But to use spicy is strictly before the start of the cycle.
Control and reduce appetite. Proved that spicy food contributes to early satiety, plus not everyone can eat a lot of spicy food.
It has a beneficial effect on potency, which is valuable for men.

Capsicain is responsible for the spicy taste of peppers. The higher the content, the sharper taste pod.

If there is no capsain in pepper, then it is the so-called paprika. With regular use of paprika in food, you can:

normalize blood pressure;
improve sleep;
drive away stress and depression;
cure mild forms of anemia;
get rid of malignant tumors;
thin the blood, congestion in any part of the body is harmful to health.

A spicy red vegetable is widely used in cosmetology. In the manufacture of hair care products. Irritating the scalp, causes a rush of blood to it. Which reduces hair loss and strengthens the bulbs.

For anti-cellulite products. As already mentioned above - accelerates the breakdown of fat. Below you can find effective cosmetic recipes using hot peppers.

Fat burning cocktail. Prepare a mixture of 250 ml of 1% kefir and spices. Beat with a blender and drink at night. The best spices are cinnamon, ginger and red pepper.

Do not forget that in order to achieve the best weight loss effect, you need to apply a set of measures. which includes proper nutrition and sports.

Vitaminizing hair lotion. Prepare pepper tincture. To do this, mix 1 part of pepper and 10 parts of medical alcohol. Let it brew in dark room 1 week.

Note: all procedures with a burning ingredient should be carried out strictly with gloves. Otherwise, the effect will be observed on the hands, and not at the place of application.

Add to ready cosmetical tools for hair care.

Contraindications for use

Like any potent remedy, hot pepper has its contraindications. Namely:

It is strictly forbidden to eat in the presence of an ulcer and severe forms gastritis.
Do not apply to skin that has damage - wounds, scratches, inflammation.
Hypertensive patients should not eat spicy food..
It is not recommended to take a lot of spices during pregnancy and lactation. In the first case, it may end in the loss of a child.
Avoid hit of sharp mass on mucous membranes. Otherwise, you will get a severe burn of the delicate epithelium.

Good to know: you can get rid of annoying and painful burning sensation with the help of dairy or starch-containing products. For example, sour cream natural yogurt, potatoes, rice.

It is possible to relieve burning sensation on the skin by wiping the burned area with a cotton swab dipped in olive oil.

Harm

Side effects when using hot peppers:

Increased sweating.
Excessive irritation of the gastric mucosa. With uncontrolled consumption of a large amount of chile, there is a risk of developing gastritis.
Strong allergen. For those already allergic to bananas and kiwis, hot peppers are an allergic hazard.
With the help of blood thinning will enhance the effect medicines received at the moment. Thus, an overdose is possible.

When eating any food, it is worth remembering that everything is good in moderation. Any, even the most useful, product, if the dosage is exceeded, can harm the body.

How to prepare a tincture of capsicum red pepper for hair, see the following video:

Red hot pepper, due to its beneficial properties, is successfully used not only as savory seasoning in cooking, but also as therapeutic component in medicine and cosmetology.

cooking

Red hot pepper contains essential oils, a whole complex of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and a unique alkaloid with anti-inflammatory action. Due to the content of bitterness, pepper contributes to better assimilation heavy meat food, eliminates bloating, improves bowel function.

When cooking, you need to remember that all hot peppers are combined with tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, all types of meat, some varieties oily fish. When adding other spices to dishes, you need to make sure that they do not clog the taste and aroma of each other: dill, onion, garlic, fennel, savory can be added to dishes with red pepper.

When cooking hot sauce red pepper allows the presence of parsley, thyme, garlic. Pepper gives the sauce itself not only a burning aftertaste, but also a beautiful fiery color.

It is important to remember that red hot peppers are laid in all dishes a few minutes before the end of cooking. Adding pepper directly to the dish is possible only when preparing fresh salads.

You should not eat a burning vegetable in cases inflammatory diseases digestive organs, kidneys and bladder.

Medicine

Ground hot pepper mixed with honey in a ratio of 1: 1 is used in folk medicine as a diaphoretic and antipyretic agent. When rubbed into the skin, red pepper juice has a warming effect.

Infused with or pepper pods serve as a warming, analgesic for joint diseases, sciatica, and colds. Tincture is rubbed either sore spots or feet - in case of a cold.

Due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, ground red pepper powder can be used as a powder for long-term non-healing wounds.

Moderate regular use Pepper in food improves the condition of blood vessels, stimulates metabolism and blood circulation, and helps to remove toxins from the body.

Cosmetology

Red pepper tinctures will be useful for hair loss: burning components irritate the scalp and thereby stimulate blood circulation, providing saturation of the hair follicles with oxygen and useful substances.

Masks prepared from pepper tincture stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth. It is important to remember that the mask should be applied only to the roots and not used in case of inflammatory processes of the scalp.

A mixture of pepper tincture and vegetable oil is an effective anti-cellulite remedy. The mask is applied to problem areas after a warm shower. To enhance the effect, the body can be wrapped with plastic wrap.

Pepper has many positive effects on human health. There are various types of peppers, from sweet to bitter, that we use every day in salads and in cooking. Peppers are very healthy and are recommended for everyone.

1. Antioxidant action

Peppers are rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that just one chili pepper contains as much as 109 mg of vitamins, which is more than the recommended daily rate. In addition, hot peppers protect the body from lung diseases such as bronchitis. Contrary to popular belief, hot peppers protect the body from stomach cancer. Hot peppers for colds open clogged sinuses.

2. Natural pain relief

Pepper acts like analgin, relieves headaches and joint pain.

3. Prevention of chronic diseases

Consumption of hot peppers reduces the likelihood of DNA mutation and the development of tumors.

4. Increase metabolism

Pepper has been proven to increase metabolism and speed up calorie burning.

5. Lowering blood pressure

Consumption of hot peppers lowers blood pressure. If you have problems with high blood pressure start consuming hot peppers.

6. Better sleep

Recent studies have shown that eating hot peppers just once a day helps you fall asleep easily and quickly.

7. Strengthening the heart

Consumption of hot peppers lowers blood cholesterol levels, regulates blood pressure, poor appetite and helps in the fight against overweight.

8. And finally

In addition to all these health benefits, chili peppers contain vitamin C, A, and K, which reduce the chance of a heart attack and increase oxygen levels in the body. Thanks to these vitamins, eating hot peppers improves blood circulation, improves brain function and mood, reduces headache. In addition, one hot pepper contains more vitamin C than an orange, so the pepper is definitely recommended for fighting the flu and colds.

Consuming hot peppers really helps us stay healthy. Of course, there is no need to exaggerate its merits, but if you consider the above facts, then you can include hot peppers in your daily diet. The only bad property of chili peppers is excessive bitterness.

The name "hot, red pepper" has many commonly used synonyms. This favorite spice is also commonly called hot or chili, Mexican, capsicum, Turkish. This annual plant The nightshade family fully corresponds to its main name, since it has a sharp burning taste. The color of hot pepper varies from sultry red to scarlet and depends on the variety and degree of ripeness of the fruit.

The homeland of chili peppers is considered to be Mexico and America. For more than 6 thousand years, the Aborigines have already been familiar with this culture, calling it "Ahi" in the local dialect. The whole world learned hot pepper thanks to Columbus, who brought "red salt" to Spain. Today, hot, red pepper grows in most countries of the world with a warm climate. It can often be found not only on store shelves, but also on the backyards of our compatriots.

calories

100 grams of hot pepper contains 40 kcal. This is almost twice as high as compared to that of Bulgarian (or sweet) pepper. However, considering meager amount seasonings used in food, this fact is unlikely to cause concern among people who watch their figure.

Nutritional value in 100 grams

100 grams of hot pepper contains 1.87 protein, 044 fat, 7.31 carbohydrates, also 88.02 grams of water, 5.3 grams of mono- and disaccharides. Hot red pepper is enriched with the following vitamins: beta-carotene (0.534 mg), vitamin A (48 mcg), vitamin B1 (0.072 mg), vitamin B2 (0.086 mg), vitamin B5 (0.201 mg), vitamin C (2 mg), vitamin E (0.69 mg), vitamin K (14 mcg), vitamin PP (1.244 mg). In terms of vitamin C content, pepper surpasses even lemon, and in terms of vitamin A content, it is on par with carrots. This hot spice is a mini pantry of iron (1.03mg), zinc (0.26mg), copper (129mg), manganese (0.187mg), and selenium (0.5mcg).

Useful properties of hot red pepper

Since ancient times, doctors have discovered the miraculous effect of hot pepper on the peripheral nervous system, thereby relieving the patient of pain, and experience with the use of pepper patch successfully exists to this day.
Beta-carotene prevents the formation of cancer cells, which is more than relevant today. Hot pepper has established itself as an effective antioxidant that protects human body from free radicals.
The composition of red hot peppers includes capsaicin, which makes peppers hot, stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid and improves appetite.
The use of hot peppers in small quantities lowers cholesterol levels, respectively, can serve as a reliable prophylactic to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Hot pepper improves blood circulation, expels worms, and is also an effective and natural bactericidal agent.
Hot pepper increases the tone of the body, causes a state of vivacity and a surge of vitality.
It is widely used in medicine for pain in the joints and muscle pain, as it irritates the nerve endings, quenching (or rather, “distracting”) the pain.
The substance capsaicin, which this spice is rich in, has the ability to quickly break down fat cells. This will be an indispensable find for patients suffering from obesity and the so-called " orange peel» (cellulite). The cream, which includes chili pepper, enhances local blood circulation and, accordingly, the process of disintegration of subcutaneous fat deposits.
Red pepper is often used in cosmetology: hair masks with a small addition of this spice have a beneficial effect on the blood circulation of the scalp, promoting hair growth.

Contraindications

Do not forget that there are a number of contraindications for the use of hot, red pepper. It is not recommended to abuse hot seasoning pregnant women and the elderly, children under 12 years of age.

It is better to refuse chili for patients with chronic diseases digestive organs (gastritis, colitis, peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum). People suffering hyperacidity, it would also be wiser to replace hot peppers in your usual diet with something else, since taking it can provoke an attack of heartburn. When applying masks and creams, it is necessary to ensure that the composition does not get on the mucous membranes and wounds on the skin.

Ecology of life: Red hot pepper has amazing properties due to the presence of capsaicin in its composition. Capsaicin is an alkaloid found in various types capsicum capsicum.

Red hot pepper has amazing properties due to the presence of capsaicin in its composition. Capsaicin is an alkaloid found in various Capsicum peppers. Pure capsaicin is a colorless crystalline substance with a pungent taste. It is he who has a beneficial effect on the human body.

In countries such as Mexico, Chile, red pepper is constantly used in the preparation of meat and other types of dishes. These countries are famous for their spicy recipes, but also the opportunity to improve health through the use of red pepper.

The inhabitants of Mexico claim that it brightens the mind, and the inhabitants of Thailand and India use hot pepper the most and are sure that it is to him that they owe their good health. Hindus believe that, if it were not for red pepper, the poor population of the country would have died out without exception long ago due to poor nutrition.

Let's see what is the use of red hot pepper?

First, it is a benefit to the stomach. Thanks to the alkaloid it contains. Hot red pepper is able to help digest heavy foods. For example, if you use this seasoning for meat, it will become the most useful, and will contain fewer harmful substances, fats and carbohydrates. Thus, a person will be able to enjoy the taste of his favorite dish, which will satisfy his appetite and at the same time he will not have to worry about extra calories, because red pepper is able to reduce them by 2 times. However, it is worth remembering that red hot pepper will not be useful for those who suffer from high acidity in the stomach, diabetes, diseases of the liver, intestines, as well as an ulcer or gastritis.

Secondly, red pepper is good for the intestines. The intestines contain a very large number of various bacteria, so it is very important to monitor its regular cleaning. In order for the process of getting rid of excess food residues to be more effective, you need to pay attention to nutrition, daily routine and physical activity. Often people observe only the last two points, but, alas, they forget about the first. The result is colic, constipation or frequent urges. The intestines must work constantly, being freed after each meal. If a failure occurs, then it is enough to eat a piece of meat or fish, to which seasoning is added - red hot pepper. After a while, you will feel that the intestines have begun to work like clockwork again. By the way, if you refuse products such as meat or fish, then prefer to use a side dish for lunch or dinner, which will be prepared using this miraculous seasoning.

Pepper is actively involved in metabolic processes in the body and thereby saturates the blood useful components. As for blood clots, we can say that pepper is able to cope with the causes of thrombosis and similar diseases.

We must not forget about such a wonderful property of pepper as a hematopoietic and diuretic. Thanks to pepper, many women can solve their gynecological problems. For example, such a problem that occurs in most women is irregular menstrual cycle, occurs due to the fact that the woman is emotionally tense, did not pay for a long time diet, little movement and little sleep and rest. In this situation, it is useful to use for the treatment and restoration of the ovaries common seasoning- red hot pepper. After a week of use, you can notice how the work of the gastrointestinal tract has improved, as well as how the ovarian system has begun to improve. Thanks to the particles that make up its composition, it is able to quickly return menstruation.

But it is important to remember that during the period themselves, you can not use red pepper for nutrition, as it will not bring benefits. The fact is that those girls who experience abdominal pain should not eat salty, fatty and spicy foods. This can only provoke spasms and thereby increase pain. In order to get rid of the pain, you need to temporarily stop taking spicy dishes and it is better to pay attention to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Now it is worth considering the effect of red hot pepper on hair growth and improving the blood supply to nail tissues. Red hot pepper can effectively promote hair growth, as well as strengthen hair roots and make nails strong and healthy. Hair masks from vegetable oils with the addition of hot red pepper well stimulate the blood circulation of the scalp, strengthen the hair follicles. That is why pepper is considered in medicine useful product, an excellent healing seasoning and also an excellent healer for those who suffer from brittle hair, weakness of the nail plate. In just a couple of days, he will restore work internal organs and will help strengthen hair and nails.

For many housewives, hot red pepper is considered one of the favorite seasonings. In a small amount, pepper complements various dishes, giving spicy taste meat, soups, marinades. From ancient times it was already known about the miraculous healing remedies this vegetable. So, red pepper is able to strengthen the immune system, helps in the treatment of sore throats, normalizes blood circulation, improves the well-being of a person suffering from bronchial asthma.

More recently, scientists have found that red pepper helps fight excess weight. Due to the fact that this vegetable activates blood circulation and normalizes metabolism, the body accelerates the process aimed at splitting fat cells. In addition, pepper helps to remove various toxins and harmful substances from the colon.

It is worth saying that red pepper is very low-calorie product which contains almost no carbohydrates. It is recommended to lose weight with red pepper by taking a tincture obtained from this vegetable. When creating this tincture, alcohol or vodka is used.

To prepare the tincture, one part of red pepper, which should be crushed very finely, is poured with five parts of vodka or the same amount of 90% medical alcohol. If alcohol is used to create the tincture, then the remedy should be infused for seven days. In the case of using vodka, the resulting infusion must be kept for three weeks. Red pepper for weight loss, prepared as a tincture, should be taken three times a day 30 minutes before meals.

For men, there is great news - red hot pepper restores potency and solves the problem associated with sexual addictions. Now you can make a tincture of red pepper or cook something spicy for your loved one for dinner. Then the evening will be unforgettable. The main thing, of course, is not to overdo it.

Children who do not like to learn lessons, have poor attention, can also achieve heights if they start eating pepper, because it is very useful for brain function.

According to experts, red pepper should also be included in the daily diet. If you can not eat this vegetable whole, then chop finely, and make seasonings for various dishes. You can also use ground red pepper.

Cook for the whole family delicious dishes with the addition of pepper and be healthy! published