Spicy food with Red Chili
is Good for Heart
Writes Vinod Varshney
People in India may discard red chili in favour of green chili and black pepper, but the interest in red chili is increasing among scientists. It has not only been shown as having anti-obesity properties, but Dr. Kwon MJ and colleagues from the Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, Pusan National University, South Korea have shown that red chili can reduce blockages in heart arteries.
This was recently reported by Dr. Vinod Sharma in e-MediNews, the first Indian online medical newspaper. According to the report the Korean scientists studied the effect of red pepper supplementation on CETP activity, a protein based blood test.
In the study, one group of rabbits was fed cholesterol rich diet for 12 weeks, including red pepper powder. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, bad cholesterol ‘LDL’ and very bad cholesterol ‘VLDL’ were all found significantly lower in this group than in the other group which was not fed red chili at all.
Good cholesterol ‘HDL’ was also found significantly higher in the red pepper eating group. Doctors say HDL acts as a cleansing agent for the clogged arteries. This develops naturally in the blood of those people who resort to brisk walk daily.
Red Chilli is Not of Indian Origin
Red pepper is so much an integral part of Indian cuisine that most Indians think that it is of Indian origin. But it is not. Red chili had been native to Central and South America; Christopher Columbus, who discovered America, introduced this to Europe after finding it in the Caribbean. This was taken to Africa and Asia.
Its botanical name is Capsicum; the name chili came from Mexico. The active ingredient of the red chili is called capsaicin, a chemical which has propensity to combine with fats. This chemical is in fact responsible for producing a strong burning sensation in the mouth.
Scientists have shown that capsaicin may cause burning sensation in mouth but it offers protection against peptic ulcers, and against injury to the stomach lining caused by aspirin. This chemical is now being explored as a possible protective for Type 1 diabetes also by researchers in Toronto because of a suspected link between the nerves and diabetes.
Ayurveda utilizes red chili to treat poor digestion and gas. Chinese medicine also uses it for digestive ailments. The science behind is simple: spicy food with chili stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva. These secretions help digest food.
Red chili is the greatest herb for blood circulation
“Red chili is the greatest herbal aid to blood circulation and can be used on a regular basis”, says Dr. Richard Schulze, renowned medical herbalist. He says that "If you master only one herb in your life, then master red chili. It is more powerful than any other. It increases your blood circulation immediately within seconds, more than any other herb.”
He recommends the book "The Health Benefits of Cayenne" by John Heinerman. Cayenne is another name of red chili.
Some people might experience burning sensation after eating food spiced with red pepper, but this problem is relieved by taking cold milk.
Doctors advise to have five servings of fruits every day. With the prevalence of ripening of fruits, especially mangoes, papayas and bananas by Calcium Carbide, it seems a dangerous proposition. Looks like it is not just Dow Chemical which killed and made sick thousands of people in Bhopal, our own fruit-dealers are busy doing that by inducing cancers among people. 
