Q: Why are hot, spicy vegetables a healthy and nutritious choice?

A: People that like to spice up their meals with hot, spicy vegetables are generally adding the heat to enhance flavor, but studies have also found these vegetables to have many health benefits:

  • Hot peppers contain a flavorless and odorless antioxidant called capsaicin.  Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidation, which in turns help prevent a variety of diseases.  An American Chemical Society study found capsaicin helps reduce the accumulation of cholesterol in the body.
  • Eating a spicy dish can temporarily boost your metabolism by up to eight percent.
  • A Canadian study found men that ate spicy appetizers consumed 200 fewer calories than their peers because spicy foods improve your chance of being satisfied. According to The New York Times, hot peppers may also help treat symptoms of the common cold.

 

The following website was used as a reference in answering the question:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-spicy-food-7569.html