Red hot pepper has amazing properties. Red pepper
The sharpness of capsicum red pepper depends on the concentration of a special substance in it - capsaicin, which is found both in the tissues and in the grains of this plant. Currently, there are about two thousand varieties of capsicum, which have a different shape, and also differ in severity and content of nutrients and trace elements. Hot red pepper is considered one of the most useful in this family. It is recommended to use it for a variety of diseases, but one should not forget about its compatibility with other products and contraindications. What is useful red hot pepper?
Useful and medicinal properties of red pepper
Capsaicin, found in hot peppers, has irritating properties. Due to this, such a substance affects the cells of benign and malignant tumors, leading to their death. For this reason, red pepper is recommended for oncology, and this product is especially effective for ovarian cancer.
In addition, hot red pepper prevents the development of atherosclerosis, serves as an effective remedy for sore throat, flu and asthma. The trace elements and active substances included in this product also help in the following cases:
- with brittle bones;
- with high cholesterol;
- helps restore weakened immunity;
- cleanses blood vessels;
- serves as an effective natural pain reliever;
- stimulates the digestive organs;
- increases appetite;
- contributes to the improvement of vision.
Regular consumption of red pepper helps to reduce blood sugar, so this product indicated for diabetics. For depression, it is also recommended to add red pepper to the diet: this product stimulates the production of endorphins that improve mood.
The benefits and harms of capsicum and ground red hot pepper
The chemical composition of hot pepper
Hot pepper is a low-calorie product. With an average weight of 45 grams, the calorie content of each red pepper pod is approximately 18-20 kilocalories. Also, one such pod contains a little less than two grams, 0.45 grams of fat, 7.3 grams.
How red pepper is used for weight loss
Product stimulates appetite, it does not contribute to weight gain, unlike other products that stimulate the desire to eat more. The fact is that the elements contained in red pepper actively break down fats that accumulate in the body, and the metabolism is accelerated. About such properties of red pepper became known relatively recently.
As a result of research, nutritionists not only proved the possibility of red pepper burn fat, but also stated the need to take such a product both in the form of spices and in a concentrated form in capsules.
Part of the effectiveness of red pepper as a weight loss aid depends on how spicy the pepper is. For splitting capsaicin, which gives this sharpness, the body spends a large amount of calories, while a strong burning sensation makes the sympathetic nervous system work in "emergency mode", and this also requires large expenditures of resources. A similar reaction of the nervous system is observed during stress and great emotional stress: in these cases, weight loss is also observed.
But taking red pepper inside in its pure form is an unpopular way. Most often, red pepper for weight loss is used in the following forms: - As a tincture to be taken before meals.
- As one of the ingredients in cooking.
- As a meal replacement.
The latter method involves the use of red pepper infusion in water and lemon juice, but since you need to drink such a remedy for a long time instead of eating (usually for a week), it is considered unsafe for health and is not recommended.
Also, as a means for losing weight, you can do wraps with red pepper. This is also a rather serious, but less safe option, while the wrap uses pepper not in its pure form, but with the addition of other ingredients (coffee, cinnamon).
Use in healthy and medicinal nutrition
It is important to understand that red pepper is effective in clinical nutrition only if it is used not as a spice or seasoning, but as a complete ingredient. The seasoning called "Ground Red Pepper", which is sold in stores, is really a spice that gives dishes only a piquant taste, but not useful properties.
It is believed that the hotter the pepper, the healthier it is, but some people may experience individual intolerance capsaicin, and someone just doesn't like spicy food. To prevent red pepper from being so hot, it is recommended to soak the pods in regular yogurt before adding it to dishes.
Red pepper goes well with many dishes:
- with meat (beef, pork, poultry, game);
- with cereals and legumes (buckwheat, semolina, oats,);
- with all kinds of fish;
- with vegetables and root crops (carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, green peas);
- with other spices ( , ).
How to choose a good product
When buying red pepper in a package and in ground form, you should first of all pay attention to shelf life. In general, many spices are among those products that, when expired, not only lose their properties, but also become harmful to the body. For example, the use of expired spices, and even more so their combination, can lead to Quincke's edema in people prone to allergies. When purchasing ground pepper by weight or in a package, even if you indicate the expiration date, you should not expect that you can always buy a quality product with a guarantee. Some unscrupulous sellers may mix other spices with red pepper, so it is better to purchase such a product in trusted places.
If you buy fresh red pepper, you need to make sure that there is no dents, dark spots, cracks. The color of the pepper should be bright and even, and the pod should feel firm and firm to the touch. The soft shell indicates that the pepper is already starting to deteriorate.
How to use the product
You can use red hot pepper in the form of tinctures or as part of dishes, as well as in its pure form. The latter option is acceptable, but rare, but if for some reason you decide to use hot peppers in this way, remember: an adult can eat no more than 5 grams of the product per day.
Those who eat hot pepper in its pure form or use a large amount of it should remember: if there is too much pepper and you burned your mouth, you should not drink it with water, as many do. The best way to get rid of the burning sensation is to wash down the meal with any dairy product. If there is no milk or kefir at hand, you can simply eat the pepper with bread.
Product storage features
Fresh and dry ground pepper stored differently.. Fresh pods can be stored in a dry and not necessarily cool place, but not more than two weeks: after this period, the product begins to deteriorate. The shelf life can be slightly extended if you store the pepper in the refrigerator, and if you do not plan to use the purchased product within two weeks, freeze the pepper in the freezer by packing the pods in a plastic bag. In this form, the pepper does not deteriorate and retains all its properties for up to one year.
When dry, ground pepper can be stored for a long time, provided that it is kept in a dark place at room temperature and in an airtight container. The latter is necessary both so that the pepper does not absorb foreign odors and does not spread its own.
Harm and contraindications of hot pepper
Red hot pepper is a product that not everyone can consume inside, respectively, its benefits can turn into harms. Usually, when consumed in large quantities, such a product can cause minor allergic reactions even in healthy people, but in such cases, there is nothing worse than temporary redness on the face.
But red pepper can cause serious complications with some diseases, which include: - diseases of the pancreas;
- stomach ulcer;
- kidney and liver diseases;
- severe degree of atherosclerosis.
In the regular use of hot red pepper, there is such a nuance: over time, a person develops a kind of resistance to capsaicin, and he ceases to feel a burning sensation, gradually increasing portions of red pepper. At some point, a person may cross the recommended daily threshold of 5 grams, and then the increased consumption of capsaicin can provoke allergies and stomach diseases.
Modern man is trying to use all kinds of natural resources to the maximum for his comfortable life. Representatives of the plant world are indispensable components of most medicines that can eliminate the symptoms and causes of various ailments, prevent their occurrence and improve immunity.
In this article, we will talk about such an interesting product as red pepper, the benefits and harms of which are already quite well known. This semi-shrub fruit is currently widely used in cooking, medicine, and also in cosmetology.
Story
This plant was brought to us from Central America, while at the moment it grows wherever a warm and mild climate prevails. The history of this representative of the flora is quite unusual. Over the years of its existence, the plant has spread throughout the world, and has also found use in various areas of human life.
Many years ago, Peruvian Indians used hot red pepper (the benefits and harms of this gift of nature were well known to them) in various sacred rituals, and even then this seasoning was a very important and even obligatory component of various spiritual events. In other words, pepper was a divine fruit, a kind of symbol that could not be dispensed with, including in the next world.
As for modern man, it is impossible to imagine any cuisine in the world without this seasoning. Let's also mention the traditional pepper patches - you can always find them in the medicine cabinet. In Russia, red hot pepper, the benefits and harms of which have not yet been studied, first appeared in the sixteenth century. Initially, this spice was worth its weight in gold - only wealthy people could afford it.
At the moment, many countries export pepper: Vietnam, India, Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, although the highest quality product is brought from Indochina and Southeast Asia. This area is best suited for drying and complete processing of this seasoning.
Positive traits
The useful properties of this product are difficult to overestimate. It has a beneficial effect on human health, promotes rejuvenation of the body, weight loss.
Stomach
So, the benefits and harms of which are of interest to many, have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It helps to digest food. In other words, if the cook used it in the process of preparing meat dishes, then the food will not only be lighter, it will almost double its calorie content. Based on this information, it can be understood that hot red pepper, the benefits and harms of which are described in this article, does not give avid dieters a reason to worry. At the same time, he helps those who follow the figure.
Intestines
The benefits and harms of red pepper are reflected in the functioning of the intestines. Sometimes the uncoordinated work of this organ can negatively affect the human body as a whole. The intestines must constantly function, because inside it there is a huge amount of harmful pathogenic bacteria that require urgent removal. By eating this seasoning, a person provides his intestines with a full and high-quality work. But spices should be in moderation, otherwise heartburn may occur.
Gynecology
It must be said that red pepper (the benefits and harms of this spice for the body are known to doctors) is an effective hematopoietic and diuretic. Due to it, many of the fair sex can painlessly and quickly solve gynecological problems. You can establish a regular menstrual cycle by using this seasoning, as well as improve ovarian function.
Liver
Effectively and for a long time, red pepper, the benefits and harms of which are described in this article, is used in the treatment of various liver diseases, since it contains flavonoids that restore damaged tissue. The liver under its influence produces more bile, which enters the small intestine. Capsicum peppers are included in the group of the nightshade family. These include tomatoes, nightshade, eggplant, and potatoes. They are rich in vitamins A and C, in addition, they contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. They are very high in carotenoids, including beta-carotene.
Immunity and beauty
It should be noted one more wonderful property, which is endowed with red hot pepper. The benefits and harms of the plant also apply to cosmetology. This product promotes hair growth, and also improves blood circulation in the area of the nail plate, and this will certainly affect the quality and speed of nail growth. can strengthen the immune system, alleviate the condition of a person with asthma, improve well-being with bronchitis and tonsillitis.
The seasoning in question stabilizes and improves metabolism, and this helps with weight loss. The spice also lowers cholesterol levels, although an excess of it can adversely affect the mucous membranes and cause heartburn, so do not eat too much pepper. Red pepper, the benefits and harms of which are described in detail in this article, is unique in its composition. It contains a lot of vitamins K, A and C, there is calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and zinc. In addition, it is rich in sugars, fatty oils, capsorubin, carotenoids. Antioxidants are able to protect cells from various deformations and damage, stop the degenerative processes associated with age. The spice can prevent cancer. In asthma and arthritis, it will reduce inflammation.
Negative Properties
This article takes a detailed look at the benefits and harms of red pepper. He, like any other product, has contraindications for use. Experts do not advise using it for those who suffer from diseases of the intestines and stomach. There is also the possibility of an allergic reaction to a certain variety of pepper.
Its composition is quite aggressive. In order to eliminate the risk of complications, pepper should be consumed in small doses. In addition, for the eyes it can be from a product such as red pepper, the benefits and harms. Malysheva, a well-known TV presenter, spoke in detail about this in her program. Try to exclude the possibility of getting spices on the mucous membrane.
Uses of red pepper
It is used in various areas of human life. In cooking, this seasoning is used to create meat dishes, salads, side dishes and pastries. At industrial-scale food enterprises, this spice is added to canned meat, sausage, Tabasco and Sambal sauces.
Such a burning, crushed natural product has a pleasant and light aroma. The spice can come in a variety of hues, though most are deep red in color. Basically, housewives prefer to use such a product in combination, combining with it such tasty and healthy ingredients as garlic, salt, cumin and oregano.
There are an incredible number of chili peppers that differ in their degree of spiciness. Cooks store hot powder in the freezer. In this case, this product retains its excellent taste and exquisite aroma for a long time. Hot ground pepper externally in the form of special plasters and compresses is used for various diseases of the joints and bones.
As a warming agent, this product is used for rheumatism and arthritis. It is possible to buy a product with such pepper in the composition in every pharmacy. At the moment, such drugs are in high demand and especially popular with consumers.
Ground pepper
Are you a fan of natural spices? Prepare ground pepper. Doing it yourself will not be so difficult. Dried pods can simply be ground in a coffee grinder. It is best to store such a homemade spice in a closed jar.
Application for weight loss
Nutritionists advise using red pepper for weight loss. The benefits and harms for weight loss will be described below.
Red pepper: benefits and harms, reviews
Today you can find a huge number of reviews on the use of red hot pepper. Many note that digestion improves after its use. Women are pleased with the fact that after using the tincture of this spice, hair loss stops. In addition, many people like the taste of food with pepper. But among the negative reviews, one can single out the appearance of heartburn, which occurs from an excess of the considered seasoning in food.
Many of us, women and especially men, prefer to additionally pepper dishes. And this is despite the fact that the hostess has already added all the spices to taste so that their combination emphasizes the taste of the dish. What is it? Inattention on the part of the spouse or poor culinary skills of the spouse? Neither one nor the other. Men instinctively, without even realizing it, sprinkle themselves with micro-grains of health and longevity, the source of which is red pepper. Its benefits and harms have long been studied by experts, and it is unnecessary to talk about taste.
Remember Ukrainian borscht and an indispensable pod of red pepper on a plate. You can’t bite him - Moscow will be visible. You just need to dip and the taste of borscht will become even more saturated. Although not all varieties of red pepper are equally hot. There are less spicy and even sweet ones. What does it depend on? How to use such a gift of God and who should not eat it?
What is red pepper rich in?
Red pepper is a storehouse of many vitamins and other substances. There is also either vitamin C (moreover, its content exceeds the amount in lemon), vitamin E, K, group B and PP. And in such a small pod you can find iron and potassium, chlorine and calcium, sulfur and sodium, silicon, phosphorus, sugar, and nitrogen-containing substances.
But the main thing in it is not vitamins and not all other usefulness. We adore this vegetable, this spice because of its taste - spicy, burning, breaking a tear even in the most courageous representative of the stronger sex. However, not every pod is equally bitter. Peppers contain the substance capsaicin, which gives this taste. The more capsaicin in a pepper, the hotter it tastes. There is no label on the pepper, whether it is spicy or sweet, so you can only determine it by taste or smell (some people already know how). Can you taste red pepper? The calorie content of 100 grams of the product is 40 kcal. This means that one pod weighing up to 50 g corresponds to 18-20 kcal.
What are the benefits of red pepper?
Like all hot spices or vegetables, red pepper stimulates digestion. It is eaten by those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. And scientists have found in the composition of pepper lycopene - a substance that prevents the development of cancer cells.
If it is so useful, is it possible to eat it uncontrollably? You first try, without batting an eyelid, to chew the whole pod - this is not a bunch with a spicy aroma or a sap with its sweet and sour refreshing taste. But if the stomach hurts or an ulcer, gastritis has opened, it is better to avoid such a spicy seasoning or at least enjoy it in small doses.
Nutritionists and cosmetologists agree that red pepper changes the internal and external state of a person for the better. So, it is included in the diet of those who have announced the fight against excess weight. Men who do not want to go bald regularly eat pepper, season their food with it (dosed). And women, who also love peppercorns in borscht, notice that they have become prettier and even younger. Here is the lady with the peppercorn.
Women are advised to season their dishes with red pepper if they wish to normalize the menstrual cycle and ovarian function. However, this must be done before the start of the cycle, and not during it. Directly during critical days, on the contrary, it is necessary to limit spicy, smoked, burning, salty and fatty foods in order to minimize spasms.
These are all the properties of hot peppers. But it can also be sweet due to the fact that there is practically no capsaicin in it. And what is the use of red sweet pepper, which is called paprika when ground? It relieves insomnia, treats depression, drives away stress, awakens the immune forces of the body and strengthens memory. And after a certain time (if you regularly pepper the dishes), anemia disappears, vitamin deficiency disappears, the blood becomes thinner, the pressure is lower - not life will begin then, but a fairy tale.
How to use red pepper in cosmetology?
One proverb says: "What gets into the mouth is useful." If a product is beneficial to take orally, then it can be beneficial when added to masks, creams, or any other beauty treatment. So let's give pepper to our body (in the truest sense of the word).
What is useful red hot pepper in cosmetology?
Hair Benefits
Capsaicin, also known as pungency, acts irritatingly not only on the stomach. Useful red pepper for hair growth. The bottom line is that capsaicin, due to its pungency, opens the pores of the scalp and, penetrating inside, excites the hair follicles. Those, awakening from hibernation, begin to become more active. And at the same time, dandruff will disappear. The same thing happens with nails.
Red pepper tincture (one part pepper and 10 parts medical alcohol) is added to other ingredients and used as a hair mask. Most often, honey, any of the vegetable oils, the yolk or the whole egg, kefir, and vitamins are added. It all depends on your preferences and the effect you want to achieve. The tincture is prepared for at least a week.
Rub the tincture into the skin is not worth it. Apply it with a cotton swab with riveting movements. Peppercorns themselves will find their way to the hair follicles and cause blood flow to the scalp. Just work with gloves, otherwise the oven will not be the scalp, but the skin of the hands.
You will see how much benefit red pepper will bring to hair: they will grow faster, become stronger. Men will like this method - who knows, maybe the bald patches will disappear if you are not lazy and make a mask three times a week for all three months.
Get rid of cellulite
You can get rid of cellulite by adding tincture or ground pepper on the tip of a knife to massage creams and rubbing the mixture into the places where we found cellulite. It will sting a little, of course, but it will work.
Lose weight with red pepper
Excess weight is excess fat that needs to be broken down in some way - let's leave liposuction as a last resort. It will be much more pleasant and useful to do various wraps. Just remember that red pepper is an active comrade and you will not be able to endure an excessively large amount of it even on the body, even for your own benefit.
- Coffee scrub with pepper. Infusion of red pepper should be mixed with ground coffee, add vegetable oil so that the mixture is better applied.
- Honey wrap with pepper. Add ground red pepper to the honey at the tip of a knife.
- Mustard wrap with honey and red pepper. Combine dry or ordinary Russian with honey and add a little red pepper.
- Mask of cinnamon and red pepper. Mix cinnamon with red pepper on the tip of a knife and add vegetable oil for viscosity.
These mixtures are applied with a brush on the stomach, thighs, back and wrapped with cling film. Then under the covers and watch something fun. Start baking? Go wash off under a contrast shower. Sit a little longer next time. Do not forget to smear the body after a shower with a soothing lotion.
But if you have sensitive skin, then it is better to exclude wraps. Enough and massage with one of the above mixtures.
Red pepper is a hot vegetable and this sharpness is felt even on the hands. Is it possible to get rid of it?
- If at dinner you grabbed too much pepper, do not drink it with water, lemonade or compote. A glass of milk, sour cream, yogurt will help better. At worst, take a bite and hold ice cream in your mouth.
- Instead of dairy products, boiled potatoes, white bread or - they have starch that soothes the burning sensation will help.
- Moisten baking lips with whey, kefir or grease with fatty oil: vegetable or creamy.
- Baking hands? Brush with or melted butter. Wash them with soap after a couple of minutes.
- Instead of oil, you can use liquid soap and soda - the effect will be the same.
- You forgot and rubbed your eyelid with your hands! It looks like the eyes are going to pop out. No panic! We wash ourselves with milk, then we take tampons or cotton wool, moisten in milk, yogurt and make compresses.
Eating red pepper
For lovers of spicy, we have prepared a recipe for classic Georgian spicy adjika.
- 2 kg and 5 pieces of hot capsicum, washed and cleaned of seeds. You can take more hot pepper if you like or got a softer variety.
- Scroll the peppers and a glass of peeled peppers in a meat grinder or food processor.
- Add salt (2 tablespoons), sugar (8 tablespoons), (250 g) and suneli hops (100 g). To prevent adjika from spoiling for a long time, add vinegar (100 g per given volume) or citric acid (1 tsp), diluted in 0.5 cup.
- Mix everything and let it rest a bit.
- Then place in jars and refrigerate.
And in the Celestial Empire, culinary specialists prepare a Hunan dish from a fish head. It is stuffed with ginger, chili pepper and tatar onion. Steam cooking. The aroma of the cafe spreads such that it is impossible to resist ordering. The taste of the dish is surprisingly fresh, spicy-salty, and the fish meat is light, lean and very tender.
Chili peppers are native to America. It is no coincidence that there is a state with that name.
Why do you think we often imagine Indians with a chili pepper necklace around their neck? Is there a legend about how the Indians got rid of the conquistadors? They lit fires, and when the fire went out, crushed peppers were placed on the coals. Pepper from heating released essential oils with a pungent aroma and smoke. The conquistadors, almost suffocating, fled. The Indians were saved.
Red hot pepper, due to its beneficial properties, is successfully used not only as a spicy seasoning in cooking, but also as a medicinal component in medicine and cosmetology.
cooking
The composition of red hot pepper includes 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 promotes better absorption of heavy meat food, eliminates bloating, and improves bowel function.
When cooking, you need to remember that hot peppers are combined with tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, all types of meat, and some varieties of 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 preparing a 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 use a burning vegetable in cases of inflammatory diseases of the digestive system, kidneys and bladder.
The medicine
Ground hot pepper, mixed with honey in a ratio of 1: 1, is used in folk medicine as a diaphoretic and antipyretic. 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 consumption of 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 allowance. 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 excess weight.
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, and reduces headaches. 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.
How many times have we heard that pepper is bad for health. But all the same, lovers of spices include red hot peppers in their diet. And, as practice shows, they do not suffer from any disorders at all, but, on the contrary, they note some improvement in the state of the body. How does a spicy vegetable affect health, is it really capable of causing harm, how it should be used and whether it has medicinal qualities, we will tell further.
Hot pepper
Red hot pepper- fragrant, burning seasoning, obtained from the fruits of an exotic shrub of the species Capsicum frutescens or C. annuum. The pods of this plant are dried and then ground into powder. A hot vegetable is also called bitter or chili (chili pepper).
This plant is native to the American tropics. Under natural conditions, it is a low (0.5 m) shrub with numerous oval leaves. During flowering, the bush is covered with large light flowers. 
Harvest - elongated or round fruits of a red, yellow or dark olive hue. They have a spicy aroma and an interesting taste that can vary from slightly spicy to pungent. Bitterness is given to pepper by internal partitions and grains.
Today, hot peppers are grown in any region, but Thailand and India are the main suppliers.
Nowadays, a burning vegetable has found application in pharmacology, cosmetology and cooking.
Did you know? The hottest pepper recorded in the Guinness Book of Records is Bhut Jolokia. It is grown in India, Assam.
Composition of red pepper
Hot vegetables are used as raw, and dried. They are suitable for cooking first courses, pickles, sauces, salads and as a spicy component. At the same time, in any form, pepper has unique characteristics. 
vitamins
All the main components of hot pepper tone and heal the body. Just a little of this vegetable can compensate for the body's lack of (composition 100 g):
- - 0.6 g;
- - 0.5 g;
- - 140 mg;
- - 14 mcg;
- - 0.1 mg;
- - 0.7 mg;
In addition, the vegetable contains an alkaloid capsaicin, it is he who gives bitterness and is distinguished by antibacterial, warming and analgesic properties.
Minerals
Scientists have proven that the range of useful elements of a burning vegetable (and in addition to vitamins, pepper is also enriched) exceeds 40 components. So, pepper is present in sufficient quantities (concentration in 100 g of product):
- - 18.1 mg;
- - 0.44 mcg;
- - 25.1 mg;
- - 173-174 mcg;
- - 7-8 mg;
- - 40-50 mg;
- - 0.19 mcg;
- - 0.25-0.3 mg;
- - 320-341 mg;
- - 1.22 mg.
In addition, 100 g of a spicy vegetable contains 0.33 g of acid.
Did you know? In the Caribbean, peppers are treated like a fruit and are eaten whole.
Nutritional value and calorie content of the product
Hot pepper can be safely consumed even by those who monitor their weight, its calorie content is only 40 kcal per 100 g of product.
Nutritional value of 100 g of pepper as follows:
- - 0.4 g;
- - 7.3 g;
- - 1.9 g
Separately about the benefits of a burning vegetable
All the components that a burning vegetable contains have a different effect on the female and male body. 
For men
Spicy seasoning helps the strong half of humanity in the most positive way - improves potency.
For women
The use of hot spices has such effects:
- regulates the menstrual cycle;
- protects against infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
- serves to prevent ovarian cancer.
Is it possible to give red pepper
Given the hotness of this vegetable, the question immediately arises: is it possible to use it for people with a fragile or especially sensitive body.
Pregnant
For this category in moderation (excessive consumption can lead to miscarriage) hot pepper not harmful. And in Asian territory, pregnant women use it very actively.
Lactating
During lactation, this vegetable (including in ground form) contraindicated.
The bottom line is that the hotness of this product freely penetrates into breast milk and can harm the baby's fragile digestive system. 
children
A moderate amount of hot peppers will not harm children. On the contrary, it will help improve brain activity and protect against various infections. In addition, the use of this vegetable will help maintain healthy teeth, strengthen the nervous system and vision.
Nutritionists say that this pepper can be introduced into the diet of a child with 10-12 years old starting with a small amount.
Rules for the selection and storage of hot pepper
First of all, when buying this seasoning, you need to pay attention to the packaging. It should be dense, airtight, but in no case paper.
In addition, the color should be bright enough - from bright orange to dark red, but by no means pale.
Important! The dullness of the spice indicates its poor quality.
For proper storage of this spice, no special conditions are required - quite simply sealed packaging. True, to preserve useful qualities, the place must be dark and cool. 
It is also worth noting that the taste can be stored for several years if stored properly.
A fresh vegetable should also be brightly colored, firm, wrinkle-free and smooth. It can be stored in the freezer for a year, and in the refrigerator - no longer than 14 days.
The use of beneficial properties for treatment
It used to be that fans of hot peppers harm their stomachs and the body in general. However, practice and recent research have proven that it is this burning vegetable that can heal many ailments.
Cold
Moderate consumption of spicy fruits perfectly stimulates the blood circulation system and has a healing effect on the respiratory system. Therefore, it is successfully used as a diaphoretic and expectorant, as well as a metabolic regulator.
Important! Hot pepper quite seriously irritates the mucous membranes and skin.
For colds, it is recommended to use alcohol pepper inside, and a tincture of pepper, vegetable oil and kerosene is prepared as a rub. From a sore throat, the following composition will help: ½ teaspoon of pepper, mix 4 teaspoons of honey and water and drink the solution in a teaspoon twice a day.
Dry cough
The beneficial qualities of hot pepper are also used to expel sputum. To do this, one pod is crushed and mixed with honey (1: 1). Eat this mixture several times a day for a teaspoon. You can drink water.
For treatment dry cough you can use this recipe: pour 60 g of crushed pepper (of course, natural) and bring to a boil. The resulting drink is filtered and drunk hot 3 times a day.
Lack of appetite and general loss of energy
Fresh pepper fruits include twice as much as. Therefore, its use stimulates the production of endorphins, which not only activate the immune system, but also help reduce pain and improve blood circulation. In another way, endorphins are called hormones of happiness, because they help.
This vegetable is capable of improve appetite. With an anti-inflammatory effect, it fights infections in the intestines, reduces pain symptoms and discomfort. In addition, as a seasoning, it can act as a remedy for diarrhea and cleanse the intestines from decay products. 
For increased appetite this recipe is recommended: 25 g of crushed pepper is poured with 200 ml of alcohol and infused in a dark place for 10-14 days. The resulting composition is drunk after meals, 10-20 drops 2-3 times a day.
Cosmetic properties
A burning vegetable has long ceased to be just a seasoning and has become an indispensable component in the preparation of various cosmetic preparations.
About application in cosmetology
The unique properties of pepper were adopted in cooking cosmetics:
- in shampoos - to stimulate hair growth and improve their condition;
- in toothpaste - to reduce bleeding and strengthen gums;
- in hand creams - to strengthen the nail plate;
- in anti-cellulite products - for burning fat.
Hair mask recipes
Beauticians could not miss such a property of hot pepper as stimulation of blood circulation, therefore, it is actively used as a prevention of hair loss and to restore a healthy state. We will only talk about multiple masks:
- Alcohol infusion. Properties: increased blood flow, nutrition of the follicles. Such a remedy is sold in pharmacies, but if desired, you can cook it at home. Ingredients: 100 ml pure without additives (cognac can be used), 1 pepper pod. The vegetable is crushed, placed in a glass container and poured with vodka. So infused in a dark place for 10-14 days. In order to avoid burns, the resulting mixture is diluted (2: 1) before use. The resulting tincture is rubbed into the roots of the hair, the head is covered with a film and insulated (with a towel, a hat). Hold for 2 hours (if the burning becomes unbearable, then less) and wash off with shampoo. Course - 1-2 times a week.
- Vitamin pepper. Suitable for weak, brittle hair. A few capsules of vitamins and mixed with 2 tablespoons of pepper tincture (recipe - as in the first version) and applied to the hair roots (the head must be washed). After that, the hair is wrapped and kept for 2 hours. This gentle option can be repeated every other day.
Important! Pepper masks should be done with precautions: if it gets on the hair, it can provoke their fragility, and on the skin of the face it causes burns.
How Red Peppers Help You Lose Weight
The effect of capsaicin helps maintain healthy weight. This substance works simply: it activates blood circulation, regulates metabolism, accelerates the process of fat breakdown, removes toxins. 
For those who want to lose weight, it is recommended to take pepper tincture. It is easy to prepare: the chopped vegetable is poured with alcohol or vodka (1: 5) and infused for 7-10 days. It is taken before meals three times a day.
Nutritionists also argue that this vegetable can simply be included in the daily diet.
Culinary Properties
Fresh or processed pepper fruits are added to sauces, homemade sausages, soups, preserves, and national dishes. In ground form, they can be seasoned with salads, matsun,
Is ground pepper good for you?
Experts are sure that whole fruits bring much more benefits, because a considerable amount of capsaicin is lost during the grinding process. Therefore, such a spice can only be given a piquant taste, but lose its nutritional significance.
Possible harm and contraindications
Despite the many positive qualities, a spicy vegetable will not be useful for everyone. For example, should not be used in such pathologies.:
- increased acidity;
- diabetes;
- diseases of the liver and intestines;
- gastritis and peptic ulcer.
With all these conditions, heaviness in the stomach can occur and the activity of the gastrointestinal tract worsens, as a result of which the digestive system will not work in the right rhythm. In addition, inflammation of the mucous membrane will only aggravate the disease, making it chronic.
It is also worth being careful about this spice for patients with heart rhythm disturbances, angina pectoris and arrhythmia. 
When preparing dishes with hot pepper, it is advisable to thoroughly wash your hands and dishes after the process and in no case touch the mucous membranes.
Important! Accidentally swallowed hot pepper in vain to drink water. It is more correct to extinguish its aggressiveness with milk, lemon or eat a piece of bread.
Apply hot pepper products for external use Not recommended when:
- susceptibility to allergies;
- the presence of small scratches and wounds;
- increased skin sensitivity;
- vein problems.
More about the benefits of pepper
There are other types of this vegetable that do not have such a burning taste, but have their own beneficial properties.
Bulgarian
Fans of this vegetable can be calm about their health, because it has such effects:
- strengthens the body, improves immunity;
- reduces the risk of oncopathology;
- improves blood composition, strengthens the cardiovascular system;
- improves appetite, regulates the digestive system;
- stabilizes vision;
- helps to cope with stress;
Black
This type of seasoning also deserves attention, because it has such positive effects:
- facilitates the condition with;
- reduces gas formation;
- improves intestinal motility, helps to get rid of constipation;
- improves digestion;
- reduces the feeling of hunger;
- regulates perspiration;
- helps fight infections and inflammation;
- breaks down fat cells.
In general, hot pepper has a much greater number of useful qualities than contraindications. If you use it in moderation, then negative qualities can be significantly reduced. And knowing all the features of this vegetable, you can not only improve your health, but also enjoy savory dishes.
