Hot peppers. What are the benefits of red chili peppers? Benefits of spicy food

Help from the udder

The best means to neutralize capsaicin (it is this substance contained in pepper that causes burning) are recognized all over the world processed cheese, ice cream, milk and yogurt. The secret is that these products contain the protein casein, which removes capsaicin from the nerve endings. A couple of sips of cherry yogurt - and you're good as new!

Help with squint

It is no coincidence that rice is the basis of all Asian dishes abounding hot spices. And if you already drank a bottle of Tabasco on a bet at someone's wedding, eat it with a spoonful of boiled unsalted rice (a rare holiday does without this delicacy!). It perfectly absorbs the same capsaicin, like activated carbon. If the Chinese toastmaster has already eaten all the rice, take the bun from the pigeons: it also has absorbent properties.

Alcohelp

If you grabbed not pepper, but wasabi, you can consider yourself lucky. It does not contain capsaicin, but the explosive substance allyl isothiocyanate, which is perfectly soluble in alcohol. So wash it down with Japanese moonshine sake or beer.

sour help

If you think that a lemon is only good for salivating at the mere thought of it, you are sorely mistaken. This fruit contains special acids that help to quickly neutralize the burning sensation in oral cavity. So, if necessary, just suck on a slice of lemon, and then return it to your neighbor's tea.

Water is liquid evil

Drinking spicy food with water is not worth it: capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate are absolutely insoluble in water. “Water will only exacerbate the effect of pepper: a person may begin to shiver in the body, tearing increases, breathing becomes difficult,” Marina warns. And the impressed locals will remember the “dance of the white devil” for a long time to come.

Is it possible to die by eating hot peppers? November 2nd, 2016

The most beautiful burning sensation after a delicious curry or salsa is a fiery grace that will make you sweat and blush. For many people, this is one of the greatest pleasures in life. And the search for spicy dish become not only a hobby but an obsession. We even had a post about

Spicy lovers feel safe in the knowledge that even if capsaicin, the alkaloid found in hot peppers, irritates the pain neurons in the mouth, causing a burning sensation, then real harm does not bring. After a few minutes, the feeling that you set your mouth on fire will pass. It all looks more like simple fun, doesn't it?

At least until someone gets hurt.

Hot pepper eating competition in China. Reuters photo

Hot peppers are categorized according to their level of spiciness, measured in Scovilles. The degree of spiciness begins to be measured from bell pepper (0), to pepper with a rather frightening name - Carolina Reaper (2.2 million). And if everyday use a small amount pepper will not do any harm, then lovers thrill had not the most pleasant experience in this matter. In 2014, journalists from The Argus, a British newspaper, decided to taste burgers highly rated on TripAdviser. They both just took a bite out of a burger with a huge amount of hot sauce, made by the chef to score more on the Squaville scale than pepper spray.

"The pain was so unbearable that one of the reporters immediately drank great amount milk in an attempt to drown it out," the newspaper writes. Another began to experience severe pain in the abdomen, he stopped feeling own hands and began to choke. His colleague, despite all his attempts, also did not escape a similar fate, and they were both hospitalized. One of them said, "I was in so much pain that I thought I was dying."

The most daring spicy lovers who dared to eat the most sharp species pepper on camera, couldn't stop vomiting. "A little YouTube video showing a hot pepper-eating contest is not a pleasant sight," writes Aaron Thier for Lucky Peach. He was watching a slow-motion footage of a Danish event where a thousand people were eating hot peppers.

Matt Gross on his account on Bon appetit writes: “It took me 21.85 seconds to eat 3 Carolina Reapers, the hottest pepper in the world. And then it took me 14 hours to recover from the effects” (Spoiler: the effects included symptoms of a heart attack).

What is really going on here? If the only thing pepper can do is make us feel a little fire in our mouth, then why does it cause such a reaction in our body?

Let's deal with the basic composition of capsacin. This alkaloid has evolved as an antifungal agent for the plants it contains. But when a person consumes this pepper, certain neurons responsible for the perception of pain are activated. These neurons send a message about the sensation of heat to the brain, regardless of whether the cause of the burning sensation is a real burn or a pepper. The task of neurons is not to find differences between these harmful phenomena, it is better to deal with this now than to suffer even more later.

The physical effects of eating pepper can be seen by our bodies as actual burns. Accordingly, sweating is an attempt by our body to cool itself. Certain neurons secrete substances that cause vasodilation, which leads to inflammation, which means that it is best to deliver blood to the damaged area, and the body thus provides itself with first aid.

When the Carolina Reaper strikes the gastrointestinal lining, you experience gagging as this is the response of the nerve endings in the stomach. The body seems to say: “I don’t care if it’s a burn or a pepper, I’m going to get rid of it.”
Thus, the body's reaction to capsaicin is similar to the reaction as if you swallowed a caustic substance. That is, the neurons in your mouth, in your stomach and other organs will be active, and it does not matter to them whether what you swallow is going to kill you or just cause discomfort.

But be that as it may, eating pepper will not bring long-term harm to your health. However, biologists conducted an experiment during which doses of capsaicin were administered to young mammals, which caused the death of neurons responsible for the perception of pain. Repeated stimulation of neurons wears them out, and they simply do not grow back.

Interestingly, there is even a theory that peppers release capsaicin to deter mammals from eating their seeds. And the birds that spread these seeds just don't have the receptors to feel the sting. But apparently, man is a mammal with an absolute lack of common sense.

Luckily for Pepper, humanity hasn't done much damage to his well-being.

Why do people love spicy food?

Indeed, when consuming spicy food, endorphins, hormones of joy, can be released, but their participation in the formation of a preference for spicy food is just an unconfirmed hypothesis. Much more important are social factors and the habit of spicy food. Compare the level of spiciness in Indian and mexican cuisine from Italian, for example. Mexicans don't release more endorphins than Europeans, they're just accustomed to spicy food from childhood. If the mechanism were as simple as the release of "happiness hormones" we would all "sit" on chili peppers, like on cocaine.

sources

- these are the fruits of certain varieties of the tropical plant Capsicum annuum, which grows in India, China, Vietnam, Africa, South and Latin America, as well as in the Balkans, some species grow in our country.

Cayenne pepper is one of the names of hot red pepper, also called chili pepper, Indian pepper, Brazilian pepper. The chili pepper is the smallest member of the capsicum genus. There are several pepper varieties chili, differing in size, degree of sharpness and aroma. They can be red, yellow, green, black or orange, and they spicy taste does not depend on color, for example, red chili is just more ripe than green.

Hot red pepper is very beneficial for our health. It is grown in gardens, and sometimes on the balcony, in pots.

Record holder among peppers

The hottest pepper in the world is bhut jolokia. This is truly a "thermonuclear" pepper, it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It is grown in Assam, North East Indian state.

Useful properties of red hot pepper

Hot red pepper is rich in vitamins A, C and P, thanks to which it strengthens nervous system, improves working capacity, resistance of an organism to infections. Hot pepper helps strengthen capillaries, lower blood cholesterol levels, prevents the development of atherosclerosis and the formation of blood clots, and normalizes work of cardio-vascular system, inhibits the reproduction of bacteria, relieves pain during inflammation. It is also useful for hypo- and beriberi.

Hot peppers also contain sugars, proteins, essential oils, glycosides, coloring matter (which includes carotenoids), calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, iron, vitamins B1, B2, P, PP and E.

Hot red peppers also contain the alkaloid capsaicin, which has a pungent taste. Scientists have found that red hot peppers kill 75% of known germs. This property is due to capsaicin.

Capsaicin is able to destroy cancer cells: it binds to mitochondrial proteins (organelles that provide cells with energy) cancer cells, and stimulates their apoptosis (the process of genetically programmed cell death), without affecting healthy cells. Based on capsaicin and other similar substances, scientists hope to create effective anti-cancer drugs without side effects. The antioxidants contained in hot peppers prevent the formation of new cancer cells.

An interesting feature of hot pepper: it stimulates the production of happy hormones in the body - endorphins. It is endorphins that make spicy lovers bite this burning fruit again and again. Their brain takes in information that the body is in danger and releases endorphins into the blood to reduce stress and shock. However, since real danger for health does not exist, people just enjoy.

Hot pepper helps to lose weight. Scientists have found that it enhances the feeling of satiety. Volunteers who generously sprinkled their food with hot peppers didn't feel hungry longer and burned twice as many calories. Experts explain this by increasing by 25% metabolism.

How to drink hot pepper to put out a fire in your mouth

You can not drink pepper with water, as it simply spreads capsaicin throughout the mouth. At the same time, more and more nerve endings are excited, and the burning sensation, instead of disappearing, intensifies. Since capsaicin is highly soluble in fats, it is better to drink chili peppers with milk, and best of all with kefir. It has an enveloping effect, and the acid and fat will help get rid of the capsaicin. You can eat a hot pepper with a piece of bread or put a piece of sugar or chocolate on your tongue and suck it until it melts completely. In addition, capsaicin dissolves in alcohol, which means that the burning sensation from pepper can be washed down with a stack of something strong.

Traditional medicine recipes with hot peppers

Alcohol tincture of large red fruits of hot pepper is a good remedy to improve appetite. 25 gr. finely chopped red capsicum pour 200 ml. 60% alcohol, let it brew in the dark for 10 days. accept pepper tincture 2-3 p. per day, 10-20 cap. after or during meals. You can use it for acute gastrointestinal disorders, to enhance the secretion of gastric juice, eliminate sexual dysfunction in men and improve brain function.

With, radiculitis, neuralgia, sciatica, hypothermia, rheumatism, cough, lumbago, back pain can be used for rubbing alcohol tincture, cooked at home .. fruits of hot capsicum, insist on 200 ml. 70% alcohol 2 weeks, strain and squeeze. Before rubbing, it is advisable to mix this tincture with vegetable oil so that there are no skin burns.

Hot pepper for colds

If you are cold, or it seems to you that you are getting sick, you can use a remedy that has long been known and very popular among the people - vodka with pepper. The main thing is not to overdo it with the quantity medicinal product. The best option is 1 stack of peppercorns (vodka infused with red capsicum). If not, you can add a small pinch of red pepper to 1 glass of vodka. Vodka must be room temperature, and the pepper must be thoroughly mixed in it so that it does not remain at the bottom when the liquid is drunk. After drinking the peppercorns, you should put on woolen socks and cover yourself with a warm blanket to sweat well.

With a cold you can prepare an infusion of hot pepper in milk. Take a fingernail-sized piece of hot pepper and pour a glass of hot milk over it. Cover the glass with a lid and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Then remove the pepper from the glass, and drink the milk. Do this before bed, then put on wool socks and a wool sweater and go to bed.

For those with cold feet in shoes with thin soles in cold weather. Sprinkle a pinch of ground red pepper on the insole (from the inside). Your feet will be pleasantly warm during the day.

Red pepper For (folk recipe body rejuvenation): 1 tsp. mix a spoonful of ground red pepper with 200 gr and 500 gr. butter. Take 1 teaspoon. spoon 4-5 times a day, until the composition is over. Repeat after 3 months.

Contraindications

Do not forget that in chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal intestinal tract, liver and kidneys (for example, with a stomach ulcer or duodenum, colitis, enterocolitis, chronic hepatitis, ) hot pepper is not recommended to be taken orally.

When adding hot chili peppers to a dish, you should be very careful. You can’t, after you have taken your fingers on chopped peppers, take hold of your nose or rub your eyes. You will get a burn of the mucous membrane. What to do, in that case, a fire broke out in the mouth from the chili pepper? What is the right way to eat (drink) this very "fire" in the mouth?

The Hindus invented a very correct method in this regard. They wash down the fiery fire in the mouth from the chili pepper with a drink called Lassi. This drink in every house in India is prepared by housewives without the help of others; the drink contains yogurt, ice and water. This drink quickly relieves the burning sensation in the mouth, enveloping the oral mucosa.

In that case, you unintentionally or purposefully ate a piece of chili pepper, as a result you got a fiery flame in your mouth, then you should not rush to pour water into a glass to drink "fire". Water does not help with the burning of pepper, and the fire in the mouth will become even stronger. What to do anyway?

In that case, you have a glass of milk in the refrigerator, then immediately drink it. In that case, there is yogurt, so much the better, drink yogurt. In that case, there were no milk products at hand, then eat boiled potatoes or any boiled vegetable. In the latter case, eat a piece of bread. Bread will quickly absorb into itself hot oil pepper and burning in the mouth will end.

Materials provided from the website www.otvetin.ru

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 spicy 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 the 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 most hot sauces"Tabasco" is prepared from canned crushed 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 intestinal problems, can get bleeding, burn, 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. Eaten hot pepper by negligence, it is useless to drink water, it is advised to “cool the ardor with yogurt” or milk, although you can easily kill the sharpness with sour - for example, lemon.