J is for Jalapeño
Health Matters – Alphabet of Healthy Foods – J is for Jalapeño 🌶
Jalapeno peppers have many health benefits. I wanted to do J is for jam because sometimes a little bit of sweet raspberry or strawberry jam is comforting but there are few nutritional benefits in jam, so it has got to be Jalapeño peppers which are packed with the nutrients we need to protect us from disease.
Jalapenos are a spicy chili pepper, so they are small green or red, and moderately spicy. Used extensively in Mexican cooking and are a popular ingredient in many dishes throughout the world. They bring heat into the body, which is healthful, particularly if like me you have a sluggish system, they have good fibre content, but they also contain the following:
🌶 Vitamin C, as you know by now, is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radical damage in the body and helps protect us from disease but is also good for your hair, skin, and nails.
🌶 As with all the B Vitamins, Vitamin B6, pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is known to promote brain health and improve mood. Vitamin B6 is required for the creation of red blood cells and neurotransmitters. The body cannot produce B6 so we must obtain it from our diet.
🌶 Jalapenos are spicy because they contain a compound called capsaicin which gives them their spicy taste. Research suggests that capsaicin may boost metabolism and help with a weight reduction regime.
🌶 The capsaicin in chili peppers may protect the stomach from developing ulcers and may reduce stomach inflammation, reduce pain, and benefit heart health but the amount we need to ingest to achieve these benefits has not yet been identified.
🌶 Jalapenos are a versatile and highly nutritious food; their capsaicin content has many health benefits. They must however be eaten with caution because although they are safe for most people to eat, do take care as they can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and sensitive stomachs may not tolerate them well.
Live with joy and health 💚
Elizabeth Beetham
Posted in Health Advice