Description

Hot Chili pepper

Hot Chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the very popular spices known for their medicinal and health benefiting properties. They are one of the most important spices used in preparing most local Nigerian food. It’s hard to complete meal preparation with an addition of any form of pepper. The active chemical constituent is capsaicin and others collectively called capsaicinoids. These are known for helping to relieve heat fatigue in a hot climate and stimulating digestive process. Hot chili pepper has been used both for culinary and therapeutic purposes.

Hot Chili pepper is the preferred spice for Nigerian foods. Pepper soup, suya (grilled meat), nsala (white soup) are the most common type of meal in Nigeria and is prepared from hot chili pepper with other spices. It is one of the ingredients in following Nigerian recipes Oha soup, Ogbono soup, Egusi soup, Banga soup, Bitter leaves and stew etc.

Hot chili pepper is an important crop not only because of its economic value but also due to the nutritional and medicinal importance. It is an excellent source of natural colours and antioxidant compounds. It is made up of an impressive list of plants derived compounds which are well known to have health promoting and disease preventing properties. Chili peppers are a rich source of Vitamin-C, Vitamin-C is a potent water-soluble antioxidant.

Benefits of Hot Chili Pepper

• Chili pepper is a rich source of vitamin C
• Provides relief for several ailments
• Contains high content of beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A
• Chili pepper is used as a spice in many dishes.
• Helps to reduce the risk of hyperinsulinemia (high blood levels of insulin)
• Increases body metabolism and help to stimulate weight loss
• Prevent Stomach Ulcers by killing ingested bacteria, while stimulating the cells lining the stomach to secrete protective buffering juices.
• Acts as a heart stimulant which regulates blood flow and strengthens the arteries
• Improve immune system

Additional information