We all love a hint of spice in our food, isn’t it? In fact, many Indian dishes are famous for being spicy. But turns out, one of the spiciest ingredients used in Indian kitchens — green chilli — not just enhances flavour but is also rich in nutrients and well, good for weight loss. Sharing these, and the many other health benefits of this “powerhouse of goodness”, nutritionist Mac Singh called wrote on Instagram: “Green chillies are rich in vitamin B6, vitamin A, iron, copper, potassium.”
PROMOTES WEIGHT LOSS. Green chilli helps our body to burn extra fat. Being low in calories (15gm chillies = 6kcal), it speeds up our metabolism.
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TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART. Green chillies reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, by lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Blood pressure and heart rate can both be lowered by eating green chillies. Consumption of green chilli also increases fibrinolytic activity.
GOOD FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH. Green chillies are high in dietary fiber, which aids in colon cleansing and regular bowel movements.
GET RADIANT SKIN. Green chilli’s strong antioxidant vitamin C (15gm chillies = 60%) helps in the production of essential collagen. Vitamin E present in green chilli creates natural oils that are beneficial to the skin. So, treat acne, rashes, pimples, blemishes, and wrinkles effectively.
BEST FOR HAIR GROWTH. Green chillies are a good source of natural silicon, which increases blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles, stimulates hair growth, and protects hair follicles.
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A post shared by Mac Singh | FOUNDER @ FITELO (@dietitianmac)
GOOD FOR IMMUNITY. They are rich in vitamin C, which help in increasing the immunity levels and in fighting cold and sinus.
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CAPSAICIN present in green chillies cures common cold. It has a stimulating effect on the mucous membranes of the nose. Also, lowers body temperature by stimulating the cooling centre of the hypothalamus in the brain.
CALCIUM in green chillies helps to keep our teeth and bones healthy and strong. It repairs the tissues and contributes to creating new blood cells.
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Nutritional profile of green chillies
Talking about the same, G Sushma Clinical Dietician CARE Hospitals Banjara Hills Hyderabad told indianexpress.com, “The nutritional profile of green chillies is quite impressive, considering their small size”.
One green chilli (5g) contains around
1 calorie,
0.1g of protein,
0.1g of fat, and
0.2g of carbohydrates,
0.1g of fibre
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Green chilli helps our body to burn extra fat. Being low in calories it speeds up our metabolism (Pic source: Pexels)
But do green chillies help lose weight?
“Some evidence suggests that green chillies may help with weight loss. Capsaicin can help increase metabolism and reduce appetite, leading to decreased calorie intake and weight loss,” said Sushma, adding that “more research, however, is needed to fully understand the potential weight loss benefits of green chillies”.
Things to keep in mind
When consuming green chillies, it’s important to keep in mind that they can cause irritation and discomfort in some individuals, especially those with sensitive stomachs or gastrointestinal issues. “Additionally, consuming too many green chillies can lead to gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea and diarrhoea. Hence, it’s always best to consume green chillies in moderation and gradually increase intake if needed,” concluded Sushma.
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