It is claimed that capsaicin, the ingredient that makes peppers hot, is an anti-oxidant.

Ha! I, unfortunately, inherited a condition from my mother where our stomachs regularly create more acid than needed to digest what we eat, resulting in reflux or sour stomachs.
You can say its our diet or stress or whatever but the fact is we eat smart and are both in tip top shape for our age. I'm 6'1" 180 lbs and did a three day 20 mile hike last weekend at over 10,000 ft alt... no prob.
Since I got serious about hot peppers and made them and their sauces a regular part of my diet I have only had to take antacids a handful of times; before the capsicum factor I would regularly down a zantac a day. I'll never go back .. only time I need a zt now is if I get all crazy drinking alcohol and don't have some peppers handy.

No joke.
dj

I just noticed a fallacy about hot peppers in the August issue of Nat Geo, in the "Next a la carte" section, bottom left of the page.
"A LITTLE SPICY: Size is a general indicator of chili heat: the smaller, the hotter."
The one thing I know for sure is that capsaicin in the form of 2-3 tepins chewed in the early AM, or a taco with a good hot salsa will clear stuffy sinuses...pronto...

Capsaicin offers many medical benefits but since we can only list one IâÂÂll list -
It's great for our Hearts and Circulatory system. Dilating blood vessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle,.........

Sandy

I read years ago that one reason that people in hot climates use a lot of chiles is that the capsaicin tends to have an antibacterial effect and thus preserves food.

Hey, dj, same here. Once I was having bad reflux and we were at the grocery store, they had someone giving samples of a jalapeno mustard. I said no, but then I just had to try it. After I did I had the sinking feeling as my throat burned remembering my reflux was acting up and wondering what it was going to do to that. Within a few minutes the reflux had stopped completely. Not what I expected, it resulted in quite a revelation. ;-)
Pam

Here is one that no one ever believes. Chili peppers prevent ulcers!
The capsaicin in the peppers actually kills H. Pylori the bacteria that causes ulcers. It's funny because everyone always tells me I'm going to give myself an ulcer.

Look at other countries where chilies are a regular part of their diet , and you will find that many diseases that plague the US are virtually non existent in comparison. There are many other things that are different between these countries, but still very interesting.

Just one?

Ok. Chiles are an appetite suppressant. PERSONALLY, I find this not to be true -- chiles liven up otherwise bland dishes to the point that I eat more of said dish with them than i would without them.

Kevin

Haha, I recently read an article that said the same thing. I guess when you are talking the average America palate that might hold true but to me, dumbest thing I ever read! They are definitely NOT appetite suppressants!
Pam

OK. Thanks guys.
I also name one benefit :

Chili peppers are almost CALORIE FREE.

One More:

Beside being "Calorie Free" they increase metabolism so your body burns more calories. There it is the weight loss secret.
Most weight loss pills have capsaicin. Why use the synthetics, when you can have the genuine fine hot pepper with capsaicin and lots more.

The proper way to say it is Chiles. In English it is peppers, because Columbus thought they were spicy like peppercorns. Chili is the stuff you cook in a pot with beans, tomatoes, meat and spices etc.

Saying chile peppers or chili peppers sounds funny.

PunkRotten,
Beans NEVER go in a pot with Carne, gringo. ;-)

PunktRotten,

You might be right but "Chili " and/or "Chili Peppers" has been established in the culture/literature/vocabulary as spicy capsicum. So, as you said, even using the word "Pepper" is improper.

Ok. Back to topic:
Here is another one:
Chili /chilie peppers can help prevent (even cure) prostate cancer.

seysonn,
OK, we need more info on this, so please provide links, and/or peer-reviewed medical studies.
An enlarged prostate is one thing, but prostate cancer is entirely another...

Yep, studies on capsaicin have shown that it not only stops the spread of prostate cancer, it can also destroy prostate cancer cells. In India, prostate cancer is among the lowest in the world. Many others studies have shown it lowers the risk of cancer in general. However, they still don't recommend someone with prostate cancer start eating hot peppers. One study showed it might cause stomach cancer.

Here is a link that might be useful: PSA

Oh and it could be bad as a topical cream. Here's another link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Psa2

"One study showed it might cause stomach cancer."

I once mentioned to a customer that I try to eat lots of hot peppers in the summertime to help tolerate the heat. She told me her husband loved hot peppers and died of stomach cancer. So yeah, it's possible I suppose.

> "Chili is the stuff you cook in a pot with beans, tomatoes, meat and spices etc."

Get a rope.

> "studies on capsaicin have shown that it not only stops the spread of prostate cancer, it can also destroy prostate cancer cells."

If the cure is to apply capsaicin to my prostate, I'll take the disease, thank you very much.

Dennis

Mecdave, yeah but if he didn't eat hot peppers it could have been prostate cancer instead. Pick your poison I suppose. Unless, you live in a bubble you can't win these days. Just be happy that something we love is good for us in many ways.

Dennis, lmao I don't think you have to sit on a bottle of hot sauce, just eat it. But that would bypass the stomach issues.

Ps if your ready for those yellow brain strain seeds pm me.

The ignorance is hilarious.

> "She told me her husband loved hot peppers and died of stomach cancer. "

Sorry, but correlation and causality are two entirely different matters. I bet the guy also drank coffee all this life. Does that indicate that coffee causes stomach cancer?

Or water?

Dennis

Seysonn, "pepper" is not an improper name. That is the English version of the word. Chile is the proper name and the word pepper was given as the word to call it in English. People who say Chili pepper are ignorant. They do not know the difference of all 3 words.

"Sorry, but correlation and causality are two entirely different matters. I bet the guy also drank coffee all this life. Does that indicate that coffee causes stomach cancer? Or water?"

Oh I know. Just something to think about since the possibility was brought up. I tend to follow good ol' Julia Child's advice - Variety is the spice of life. All foods are good for you if taken in moderation, or words to that effect.

"Sorry, but correlation and causality are two entirely different matters. I bet the guy also drank coffee all this life. Does that indicate that coffee causes stomach cancer? Or water?"

Absolutely, but it was enough for them to start doing research. India and Mexico have some of the lowest prostrate cancer rates but some of the highest stomach cancer rates in the world.

"The ignorance is hilarious".

Please do explain

OK. good debate on prostate issue.
Being a man of older age , I am not holding my breathe that because I eat hot peppers I will not get prostate cancer. ( i did a biopsy not too long ago on my doctor's advice. I am fine). But I know that even a slim chaance on the positive side is good enough reason for me to continue consuming hot peppers.

On the stomach cancer issue, I also agree with Denise and others and I think of it just as a matter of coincidence. Capsaicin is said to prevent ulcer but nothing more than that.

About the word "PEPPER"
Pepper existed in the old world before the discovery of America. What was brought from America to the old world was not pepper but totally different thing : CAPSICUM. The British and Australian use the word CAPSICUM. Or so I have heard. But let us don't get lost in the terminologies..

Anther Benefit:

Help Reduce Bad Cholesterol

Disclaimer: I am only mentioning these pieces of information, that I have read . There are numerous sources in the net that you can go and read , if interested. And because almost everybody around here is a chili head, I don't take any responsibility for the adverse effects of hot peppers on your health. LOL

scott123456,
Thanks for the interesting link.
I've eaten hot peppers all of my life and have had all three levels of skin cancer, including melanoma in situ, as a result of working and playing outside in the Texas sun for 60+ years.
In my opinion as a "user," it does work on BPH too.
Of course, it needs to be used at least three times a day, with Old Milwaukee or Corona...

Haha nice Tom!

So the stomach cancer study bothered me enough to look into it further. I have never seen the actually study that these articles reference. I just took them at their word because they were reputable sources. My mistake I guess. I have attached a link that explains the study much further. It's a good read if you have the time. According to the article I have attached, the researchers went around and asked people with stomach cancer if they have ever eaten hot peppers. Seriously, In Mexico!! Study complete, and from that they concluded that people that eat hot peppers are 17 times more likely to get stomach cancer. If that is true, what a complete joke of a study. More interesting still, the mice that received the most chile not only did not get stomach cancer, but actually lived the longest. Some how, this information was not important to their conclusion lol.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stomach cancer

Curanderos in Méjico prescribe chiles for stomach problems and many other things.

I know Pam. They could have just as easily asked them if they eat Mexican food or if they speak Spanish . Welp, there you have it, Spanish speaking causes cancer. Just plain stupid. As you know, publications = grant money= employment = biased scientist = bad science.

I am a scientist as well, but not in research, and I'm a little greener than you lol. Do you mind if I ask you what field?

Back on topic, peppers are good for arthritis.

> ". I GOT IT... Global warming causes stomach cancer! "

Oh, now you've done it. They were saving that and you've tipped it.

'500 scientists agree that global warming changes plant chemistry and may increase our intake of carcinogens, resulting in greatly increased rates of esophageal and stomach cancers."

- Press release from the Burning Man conference

> "Denise"

!!?!!!

Get a rope.

Scott, how dare you ask such a personal question. ;-) BS in Geology MS work in Geochemistry. How about you? I do like your equation there.

DMF thanks for a good laugh!

Pam

So they asked people if they eat hot pepper and concluded that it causes stomach cancer. Hahaha. And they call it a "Study"

1 cup of peppers can give you 100% of your vitamins for the day, and also they have 3x as much vitamin C than oranges have.

On vitamins, Hot Peppers have high amount of A and B vitamins too.

More positive info about capsaicin and colorectal and gut tumors.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140801213339.htm

Got a couple different sizes of rope.....

I can't vouch for the accuracy of anything in this link but If you read down a bit they mention some very interesting experiments.. Do not try them at home!

http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1m9vrn/are_there_real_physical_dangers_in_eating/

dj