Chili is one of the most common ingredients in our daily lives. Besides whetting the appetite, it also has many benefits for the human body. Of course, many people cannot accept the taste of chili and cannot tolerate the spiciness, thus missing out on a delicious choice!
A study in the "British Medical Journal" states: if you consume spicy foods like chili daily, your risk of death decreases by 14%. Even if you only consume spicy food once or twice a week, the risk of death still drops by 10%. Many people believe that the elderly should eat lighter foods, but in fact, eating chili in moderation can not only expel toxins from the body but also help seniors live longer. Research shows that bioactive components in chili, such as capsaicin, have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood pressure-lowering effects; all of these can help you avoid heart disease and respiratory diseases.
The benefits of chili
1. Anti-aging and headache prevention
Because chili has a strong effect on promoting blood circulation, it can improve symptoms such as aversion to cold in middle-aged and elderly people and vascular headaches. It can also enhance the activity of brain cells and help delay aging.
2. Lowering cholesterol and antioxidant effects
Chili is rich in vitamin C, which can help control heart disease and coronary arteriosclerosis, and lower cholesterol.
In addition, chili also contains a lot of antioxidants, which can prevent chronic diseases and can also clear the respiratory tract to deal with coughs and colds.
The benefits of chili
1. Anti-aging and headache prevention
Because chili has a strong effect on promoting blood circulation, it can improve symptoms such as aversion to cold in middle-aged and elderly people and vascular headaches. It can also enhance the activity of brain cells and help delay aging.
2. Lowering cholesterol and antioxidant effects
Chili is rich in vitamin C, which can help control heart disease and coronary arteriosclerosis, and lower cholesterol.
In addition, chili also contains a lot of antioxidants, which can prevent chronic diseases and can also clear the respiratory tract to deal with coughs and colds.
3. Preventing gallstones
Regularly eating green chili can prevent gallstones. Chili is rich in vitamins, which can convert excess cholesterol in the body into bile acid.
This can prevent gallstones. For those who already have gallstones, eating more green chili rich in vitamin C can help alleviate the condition.
4. Lowering blood lipids and improving heart function
Using chili as the main ingredient, combined with extracts of garlic, hawthorn, and vitamin E, a "health product" can be made that improves heart function and promotes blood circulation after consumption.
In addition, regular consumption of chili can lower blood lipids, reduce thrombus formation, and has a certain preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases.
5. Strengthening the stomach and aiding digestion
Chili has a stimulating effect on the mouth and stomach, can enhance gastrointestinal motility, promote the secretion of digestive juices, improve appetite, and inhibit abnormal fermentation in the intestines.
Middle-aged and elderly people should eat chili scientifically
There are no wrong foods, only wrong eating habits and routines. How can middle-aged and elderly friends enjoy the taste of chili while also benefiting their health? Experts have some tips.
1. Pair chili with cooling ingredients to nourish yin and moisten dryness
Physicians recommend choosing ingredients with the effects of nourishing yin, reducing dryness, and purging heat as the main ingredients for cooking, such as duck, shrimp, crucian carp, bitter gourd, lily, lotus root, etc.
This can have a "neutralizing" effect, strengthening the spleen and stomach while reducing irritation.
2. Add a little vinegar when eating chili to avoid getting "heaty"
If it's too spicy, you can add a little vinegar. Spicy food is "heaty" in nature and can cause "fire" and dry the lungs. Sourness is astringent, and the combination of sour and sweet can generate yin, moistening dryness.
The acetic acid in vinegar can also neutralize capsaicin, reduce the spiciness, lessen the body's irritation, and alleviate the "heaty" sensation.
3. After eating chili, eat some hawthorn or pear
After eating chili, you can eat some sour fruits. The tannins, dietary fiber, etc., they contain can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, accelerate gastrointestinal motility, help moisten dryness, and nourish yin. Hawthorn, grapefruit, citrus, apples, and pears are all good choices.
4. Pair with coarse grains and tubers
When eating chili, it's best to choose coarse grains and tubers for the main course, such as mixed grain porridge, corn, sweet potatoes, and yams.
They are not only rich in dietary fiber but also have higher levels of B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients than refined white rice and flour, which is very effective for relieving the "heaty" and "fire" sensation after eating spicy food.
5. Eat less if you have mouth ulcers
Physicians advise that those with mouth ulcers or excessive stomach acid should eat it in small amounts.
Finally, experts remind that the degree and amount of chili consumed should vary according to individual constitution. Regular consumption of chili can lower cholesterol, act as an antioxidant, improve heart function, and prolong life, making you feel 20 years younger. Tell your friends!