There have been reports that chili peppers can cause cancer, so we should refuse this spicy food. However, some experts say that chili peppers are the natural enemy of cancer and a very good anti-cancer food, and we should eat them in moderation. So, can eating chili peppers really prevent cancer or cause cancer?
Chili Pepper
Chili peppers are rich in vitamin C, but they are not a "neutral" food. Chili peppers, also known as capsicum, chili, hot pepper, cayenne, etc., are plants of the Solanaceae family. The fruit of the chili pepper has a spicy flavor because its peel contains capsaicin, which can increase appetite. The vitamin C content in chili peppers ranks first among vegetables. It is native to Mexico and was introduced to China at the end of the Ming Dynasty. The medicinal properties of chili peppers in traditional Chinese medicine are: pungent, hot, and spicy; they are not a neutral food. Eating too much may lead to "internal heat" and damage the liver.
What are the benefits of chili peppers?
1. Rich in nutrients
Chili peppers are rich in vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, etc., and are also rich in dietary fiber and minerals. Regular consumption of chili peppers can also supplement vitamins E, K, carotene, folic acid, and other vitamins. Chili peppers are pungent and hot in nature and have many medicinal and dietary effects.
2. Stimulates appetite and aids digestion
Chili peppers can promote the secretion of digestive juices and increase appetite. Eating some chili peppers appropriately at this time can greatly stimulate a person's appetite.
3. Lowers fat and aids weight loss
Capsaicin in chili peppers can accelerate fat breakdown and has a weight-loss effect. At the same time, because chili peppers are rich in dietary fiber, they also have a significant effect on lowering blood lipids and have a certain anti-cancer effect.
4. Relieves pain and lowers fever
Chili peppers are pungent and warm. They can lower body temperature through sweating and relieve muscle pain, so they have a strong antipyretic and analgesic effect. American studies have found that capsaicin in chili peppers can reduce neurotransmitters that transmit pain, making people's perception of pain weaker.
Can chili peppers cause cancer or prevent cancer?
Excessive consumption of chili peppers can indeed harm human health. Whether chili peppers can cause or fight cancer has been a subject of debate in the scientific community. Researchers have not been able to draw a clear conclusion on the relationship between capsaicin and cancer, and there are even controversies about its effects on the same type of cancer. As for whether capsaicin can cause cancer, treat cancer, or act as a co-carcinogen, the scientific community has not yet reached a unified conclusion. Moreover, the results of these cellular or animal experiments cannot be directly equated with clinical trials, so we cannot conclude that eating chili peppers in daily life will cause or treat cancer. Therefore, there is no need to refuse to eat or eat too many chili peppers because of these studies.
Precautions for eating spicy food
Pair with foods that relieve spiciness and "internal heat." Although spicy food is addictive, eating too much can be overwhelming. Experts say that eating more sweet and sour foods can help relieve spiciness. Sweetness can cover and interfere with the spicy taste, and sourness can neutralize the alkaline capsaicin. If it's too spicy, dipping in vinegar, drinking a cold sweet drink, or having a cool piece of fruit can be very helpful. If you are cooking spicy food at home, try to pair it with foods that nourish yin, reduce dryness, and clear heat, such as duck, shrimp, crucian carp, bitter gourd, loofah, cucumber, etc. You can also cook some cooling mung bean or lotus leaf congee to reduce "internal heat."
Eat less spicy food during dry seasons. For chili peppers, due to individual physical differences, the tolerance level also varies. People with cold hands and feet or who are prone to anemia can eat them in moderation. People with stomach ulcers, esophagitis, hemorrhoids, or those with yin deficiency and excess internal heat, frequent constipation, or acne should eat them with caution. In addition, chili peppers have the effect of removing dampness, so people in the north should also eat less during the dry spring and autumn seasons.
It is best to cook chili peppers before eating. There are dried chili peppers, fresh chili peppers, pickled chili peppers, etc. It is recommended to eat fresh chili peppers, as they are richer in nutrients. Also, chili peppers are best eaten cooked. Because raw chili peppers contain a large amount of capsaicin, they may irritate the oral and gastrointestinal mucosa. After heating, the irritation to the gastrointestinal tract will be reduced.