At a glance:
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Eating spicy peppers can provide an immunity boost & promote better health and a longer life.
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Capsaicin, the ingredient in spicy peppers that give them their heat, helps to reduce acidity in the digestive tract, promoting a happier stomach.
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Spicy peppers can increase your resting metabolic rate, ultimately aiding in weight management.
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KOR Shots Provides a lineup of wellness shots & immunity shots that pack a punch with ingredients like cayenne pepper, habanero pepper, jalapeño pepper, and black pepper.
When you think of spicy peppers, you probably think about your forehead sweating, nose running, and mouth on fire. While you may fear the sensation of spiciness, there are more than a few reasons why you should incorporate spicy peppers into your daily diet.
In fact, according to Harvard Medical Experts, chili peppers can help you live longer.
“According to a new report, chili pepper in your diet could lower your risk of dying of cancer or cardiovascular disease, and could also promote longevity,” writes Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing.
“The analysis included data from more than a half a million people in multiple countries. When compared with people who never or rarely ate chili pepper, those who ate it regularly had lower rates of death due to cardiovascular disease (by 26%), cancer (by 23%), or any cause (by 25%).”
If these numbers make you wonder why spicy peppers are just so good for you, you’ve come to the right place! We reached out to a variety of wellness experts to get their take on how and why spicy peppers contribute to better overall health.
Here’s what they said:
Hot peppers are full of beta carotene and antioxidants that provide an immunity boost and aid in fighting off colds and the flu.
Spicy peppers help to kill bacteria in food. There is a positive correlation between hotter climates and use of antimicrobial spices, especially in meat dishes. Many spices, or their active chemical ingredients, can kill bacteria or inhibit them (slow their growth). Four common flavorings (onion, garlic, oregano, and allspice) kill or inhibit every one of up to 29 common food-borne bacteria that they've been tested against. And most spices inhibit more than half of all bacterial samples, thereby providing a healthy immunity boost.
The general research on adding spice to your food indicates that it boosts metabolism, clears your stomach, and brings flavor to your food. The key here is to eat spice in moderation (trust me, I find it tough too!) and not to overdo it. Balance your meals so that your digestive system isn't subjected to spicy food every meal of the day. If you can tolerate them, spicy peppers can be very good for you!
Spicy peppers provide stimulation to the body that causes an increase in circulation of the heart and blood vessels.
Spicy peppers may supply more blood to areas that need it. That increase allows for removing more waste and increasing oxygen, naturally providing an immunity boost.
The many naturally occurring plant phytochemicals present in spicy peppers cause an increase in circulation and endorphins (feel good chemicals). These, in turn, trigger a reaction that causes more blood to rush to circulation points. This can happen when spicy peppers are applied to a specific area or when digested as part of a meal.
Dr. Tyran G. Mincey DC, D.I.B.A.K. M.H. F.I.C.C., Integrated Healthcare
Capsaicin in peppers acts as an anti-irritant.
Capsaicin, the ingredient in spicy peppers that give them their heat, helps to reduce the acidity in the digestive tract that causes ulcers and also helps produce saliva and stimulates gastric juices, aiding digestion. Individuals with ulcers are usually advised to avoid hot spicy foods, but research has revealed that peppers are beneficial to ulcers.
Meera Watts, Owner, Siddhi Yoga
Burn additional calories throughout the day.
10% of our total daily energy expenditure is derived from the thermic effect of food. One of the ways to maximize this effect is by choosing foods that will increase your resting metabolic rate and ultimately aid in weight management. I recommend all my clients to add spicy peppers to their meals when available to take full advantage of the opportunity to burn additional calories outside of daily physical activity.
Ryan Ernsbarger, CPT, SNS, Fitness Editor, Zenmaster Wellness
Spicy peppers can assist with weight management.
Spicy peppers raise the body’s metabolic rate, which causes thermogenic processes leading to heat generation. The entire process requires energy, thus burning extra calories, which can assist with weight management. When hot peppers are consumed for breakfast, they help to suppress appetite throughout the day. Spicy peppers can disrupt body proteins to fight fat buildup, thus helping to maintain a healthy weight.
Nataly Komova, RD and Fitness Expert
As a quick recap: spicy peppers can help you live longer, naturally provide an immunity boost, improve circulation, aid digestion, and help you burn more calories throughout the day for weight management.
If you’re looking to harness the health benefits of spicy peppers, but aren’t ready for all that heat in your meals, KOR Wellness Shots provides the perfect solution.
Many of our wellness shots and immunity shots contain spicy peppers for revving your immune system and digestion, including our Wellness shot (cayenne), Intense Defense shot (habanero), Wellness Fire shot (jalapeño), and Vitality shot (black pepper).
Heat up with KOR!