Green chili, apart from health benefits of bird’s eye chili and also black chili are three of the many variants of chili that we know. Green chili is less fiery than the red ones, with the spiciness hitting the tongue at a slower speed as well.
Two main similarities in between health benefits green chili peppers and red chili are its function as spices or dish ingredients, especially in Asian cuisine, and also the spiciness itself.
Back to the taste of chilis, spiciness becomes possible thanks to capsaicin, an active compound inside chili responsible for its hotness and also its health benefits. By the way, these are the interesting green chili benefits for heart health, which is something that is probably not heard much of!
Nutritional Facts of Green Chili
Serving Size – 100 g
- Water – 88.02 g
- Calories – 40 kcal
- Total Fat – 0.4 g (0% of DV)
- Saturated Fat – 0 g (0% of DV)
- Polyunsaturated Fat – 0.2 g (0% of DV)
- Monounsaturated Fat – 0 g (0% of DV)
- Trans Fat – 0 g (0% of DV)
- Cholesterol – 0 g (0% of DV)
- Sodium – 9 mg (0% of DV)
- Total Carbohydrates – 9 g (3% of DV)
- Sugar – 5 g
- Dietary Fibre – 1.5 g (6% of DV)
- Protein – 1.9 g (3% of DV)
- Potassium – 322 mg (9% of DV)
- Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin A Benefits – 952 IU (19% of DV)
- Vitamin B6 – 0.506 mg (25% of DV)
- Vitamin C – 143.7 mg (239% of DV)
- Vitamin D – 0 mg (0% of DV)
- Vitamin E – 0.69 mg
- Benefits of Calcium – 14 mg (1% of DV)
- Cobalamin – 0 mg (0% of DV)
- Iron – 1.03 mg (1% of DV)
- Magnesium – 23 mg (5% of DV)
- Phosphorus – 43 mg
- Zinc – 0.26 mg
All the information above are in relation to a 2,000-calorie diet. The percentage of daily value (% of DV) may differ depending on personal calorie needs.
What are its Health Benefits?
1. Green Chili Supports Cardiovascular Function
Here comes the main theme of this article. A lot of media have listed down chili as one of the most recommended food for heart health. And it is no wonder that green chili is in fact good for heart no other than because of capsaicin itself.
Capsaicin causes the cells that line the blood vessels to immediately secrete nitric oxide that reduces blood pressure, and also stroke, hypertension and cardiac arrest in the long term.
2. Green Chili also Manages Blood Sugar Levels
This is the other benefit to how green chili is good for the heart. Green chili, or all chilis in general is also proven to help in the regulation of blood sugar levels, which means that it is perfectly safe for diabetic people.
The extremely low-sugar and low-calorie content at only 5 grams and 40 kcal respectively also go in line with this feature of green chili.
3. Green Chili has Only 40 Kilocalories
Green chili only has 40 kcal, this has made green chili to be the food item with one of the lowest numbers of calories. Â
4. Green Chili’s Capsaicin
The main health benefit of green chili is in fact capsaicin itself. Like what is written above, capsaicin helps to heat the applied area of the body, as a painkiller by releasing heat, and also as a digestion booster. Capsaicin may heal pain caused by arthritis, muscular aches, joint pain, back pain, sprains, and more. Other than that, capsaicin is also able to boost metabolism by up to 50% within 3 hours of consumption!
5. Green Chili Reduces Body Temperature
Interestingly, green chili also reduces body temperature by stimulating the centre of the brain’s hypothalamus. Despite being very small, hypothalamus holds a crucial role in several bodily functions, such as regulating body temperature, and releasing hormones.
6. Green Chili for Mucus Stimulation
Capsicum inside green chili stimulates the mucus membranes of the nose and sinuses, which comes in handy for battling against common cold and sinusitis respectively. This is made possible due to the heating nature of chilis.
7. Green Chili Contains 143.7 mg of Vitamin C Benefits
With 143.7 mg of vitamin C, this makes green chili to contain way more-than-enough supply of vitamin C, at 239% of the daily value! For your information, vitamin C is vital for a healthy immune system and bodily tissues. Vitamin C also needs to be taken regularly because our body lacks the system to produce it.
8. Green Chili Supports Weight Loss
The capsaicin, low-sugar, low-calorie and antioxidant traits of green chili help weight loss in one way or another. Capsaicin’s heat lead towards a process known as thermogenesis, in which fat is converted into heat so that more fat is burned for weight loss. Thermogenesis boosts metabolism and fat burning by 5% and 16% respectively. After all, an ideal weight is also needed for a healthy heart isn’t it? Â
Cautions and Recommendations on Green Chili
Dermatological side effects such as skin irritation, burns as well as rashes have been identified as the side hazards of green chili. Chilis or rather capsicum has also to be known to be especially irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat.
Avoid using chili products or extracts around sensitive parts of the body or skin. When sensitive parts of the body come into contact with chili products, immediately rinse it with cold water several times or compress some ice onto it until the burn disappears.
Breastfeeding mothers are also discouraged from eating chili products fearing that the nutrients might pass on to the baby through mother’s milk and hence dermatitis as well as discomfort on the infants.
How to Make Beef and Green Chili Stew
Ingredients
- 500-750 g of beef
- 1 tablespoons of flour
- 1 onion; chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic; minced finely
- 3 tablespoons of lard or butter
- 1-4 cups of green chili; seeded and chopped
Steps
- First, coat the beef with a choice of flour, onion plus garlic or butter.
- Combine the meat with the remaining ingredients and insert them into a slow cooker.
- Fill the slow cooker with 2 cups of water. When slow cooker is not available, a pot and stove can also be used instead.
- Cover the mixture and cook for 6 to 8 hours. When using stove, cook in low fire.
- Meat doneness is indicated when it starts to get tender and loose.
- Transfer them into a plate and beef and green chili stew is ready to be served!