The chili is a demi-god in the local eating scene. There are hardly any Singaporeans who do not eat chilies. Our love for chilies is a romance in a Bollywood flick, colourful, musical and romantic. The explosion of flavour in your mouth is the colours in a bollywood movie, while the accompanying heat is the music. Indeed, we love our spice.
How much of it is good for you though? Can it be, a health food? Now, I present to you, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Chili:
Pros
- Chilies can help aid digestion
- Chillies act as antibiotics. Chillies brings fresh blood to the site of the infection. The fresh blood fights infection. The white blood cells and leukocytes present in the fresh blood fights viruses.
- It can act as a pain killer. Chili stimulate endorphins that act as natural painkillers. It relieves pain caused due to shingles (Herpes Zoster), bursitis, diabetic neuropathy and muscle spasm in shoulders, and extremities. It also helps in relieving arthritic pains in the extremities.
- The vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid found in chilli reduces the risk of colon cancer. Chillies such as red pepper have cartonoid lycopene which protects you from cancer disease.
Cons
- Well, it is very spicy, not everyone can take the spiciness.
- If taken in excess and can cause gastritis, renal irritation, inflammation, strangury. It can cause a host of digestive problems.
- Over consumption of chili can cause you to pay more visits to the toilet. It can be especially bad for people with irritable bowel symptoms
- Also, do note that chili sauces, such as manufactured packets of sweet thai sauce use a large amount of excess sugar. Diabetic patients, you have been warned.
- Chronic ingestion of chili products may induce gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) (acid reflux disease).
It seems that chilies can indeed have disastrous results if taken in large amounts. Also, do note that if you take chilies with another ingredient, say coconut milk, it is not necessarily healthy. It can mean a larger calorie intake. That means, no, that bowl of laksa does not count for a healthier diet despite the spice factor.
How much of it is good for you though? Can it be, a health food? Now, I present to you, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Chili:
Pros
- Chilies can help aid digestion
- Chillies act as antibiotics. Chillies brings fresh blood to the site of the infection. The fresh blood fights infection. The white blood cells and leukocytes present in the fresh blood fights viruses.
- It can act as a pain killer. Chili stimulate endorphins that act as natural painkillers. It relieves pain caused due to shingles (Herpes Zoster), bursitis, diabetic neuropathy and muscle spasm in shoulders, and extremities. It also helps in relieving arthritic pains in the extremities.
- The vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid found in chilli reduces the risk of colon cancer. Chillies such as red pepper have cartonoid lycopene which protects you from cancer disease.
Cons
- Well, it is very spicy, not everyone can take the spiciness.
- If taken in excess and can cause gastritis, renal irritation, inflammation, strangury. It can cause a host of digestive problems.
- Over consumption of chili can cause you to pay more visits to the toilet. It can be especially bad for people with irritable bowel symptoms
- Also, do note that chili sauces, such as manufactured packets of sweet thai sauce use a large amount of excess sugar. Diabetic patients, you have been warned.
- Chronic ingestion of chili products may induce gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) (acid reflux disease).
It seems that chilies can indeed have disastrous results if taken in large amounts. Also, do note that if you take chilies with another ingredient, say coconut milk, it is not necessarily healthy. It can mean a larger calorie intake. That means, no, that bowl of laksa does not count for a healthier diet despite the spice factor.
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