Are jalapeños beneficial for your health? Learn more about the advantages of consuming spicy food.

 

This football season, you might have observed a solitary vegetable amidst the array of game-day appetizers: the jalapeño. The jalapeño pepper possesses a mild to medium spiciness and offers an earthy green-pepper taste that complements a wide range of cuisines. If you're seeking to enhance both the nutritional value and flavor of your dish, jalapeños can be an excellent addition. However, it's important to note that the health benefits and risks associated with consuming jalapeños depend on how they are prepared. Adding them to a bowl of traditional pho soup is an excellent choice. On the other hand, indulging in a jalapeño popper, which is a jalapeño pepper stuffed with cheese, battered, and deep-fried, is acceptable on occasion but not recommended for frequent consumption. Let's delve into some of the health benefits of these popular and beloved peppers.

Are jalapeños beneficial for your health? Absolutely! In general, peppers are low in calories, fat, and sugar/carbohydrates, all while delivering a flavorful experience. Moreover, they are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which play a crucial role in the proper functioning of various systems and tissues in our bodies.

Spicy food, including jalapeño peppers, offers health benefits. However, there are a few things you should be aware of. Jalapeño peppers, like other peppers, contain a compound called capsaicin, which is responsible for their spiciness. While some individuals enjoy the burning sensation caused by capsaicin, others may not. For those who appreciate spicy food, here's some good news: capsaicin has been linked to several health benefits. Emily Feivor, RD, a registered dietitian at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in Queens, New York, explains, "Capsaicin has been found to help reduce high blood pressure, increase good cholesterol (HDL), and decrease bad cholesterol (LDL). Additionally, due to its antioxidant properties, capsaicin may offer protection against certain diseases and improve gut health."

What advantages can be gained from consuming jalapeños? Apart from the benefits provided by capsaicin, jalapeños are also rich in vitamins and minerals. Specifically, they are a great source of vitamin A. According to the NIH, vitamin A is essential for vision health.