According to a report in the "Life Times," Columbus brought chili peppers back to Europe at the end of the 15th century, but due to health concerns, Europeans didn't eat them much. However, in recent years, with the popularity of Asian food in Europe and in-depth research into the nutritional value of chili peppers, they have once again become a delicacy on European dining tables.
Raw chili peppers are the healthiest
Europeans eat chili peppers in many ways. Making them into sauces to accompany meals is the most common method, so chili sauces are found on European dining tables for any meal. At the same time, they also like to sprinkle a handful of red chili flakes on various dishes, or add green and red chilies when cooking, and even the soup they drink is spicy.
However, Europeans, who advocate for a natural lifestyle, prefer to eat chili peppers raw. They either eat them fresh or add them to salads as a side dish. This approach is endorsed by European nutritionists because raw consumption is most beneficial for the body. Since the vitamin C in chili peppers is unstable, it can be easily lost through long storage or overcooking. Eating them raw can preserve their nutritional value to the greatest extent. Therefore, chili peppers should always be added just before the dish is finished cooking to avoid nutrient loss.
Chili peppers can be used for weight-loss drinks
In Europe, chili peppers are also known as "red medicine," and research findings about them are constantly emerging. European researchers have recently discovered that chili peppers can help prevent and treat breast cancer; capsaicin can induce prostate cancer cells to "commit suicide"; chili peppers can alleviate cold symptoms; they can also prevent arteriosclerosis; and eating chili peppers regularly can help with sleep. To cater to the trend of weight loss through eating spicy food, many beverage companies are competing to create new spicy drinks made with chili peppers as an ingredient.
Of course, the most attractive reason for Europeans to eat spicy food is that it can delay human aging. German scientists have found that red chili peppers contain a large amount of antioxidants that can prevent free radicals from damaging the skin, and free radicals are the main cause of premature skin aging and skin cancer. This is much more effective than taking large amounts of supplements. However, experts also point out that chili peppers are spicy and irritating and should not be consumed in excess, otherwise, they will not only damage a person's taste nerves but also affect liver and kidney function.