It is immature chili peppers, that have been harvested before fully ripening. Not as spicy as red chili peppers, they are available raw, canned or pickled . Green chilies are low in calories, virtually fat-free and rich in nutrients that can enhance your health, including vitamins A, C and K and the phytonutrient capsaicin. If you have a chronic digestive disorder like irritable bowel syndrome or heartburn, however, spicy foods like chilies may exacerbate the symptoms.
Health Benefits of Green Chili
A 1/2-cup, 75-gram serving of chopped, raw green chili pepper contains 884 International Units of vitamin A. This amount supplies nearly 30 percent of the Food Vitamin A. It helps with the synthesis of red blood cells and is an essential component of Rhodesian, the protein that allows retinal receptors in the eye to absorb light. It is also necessary for proper growth and development and to support immune system of health. Without adequate vitamin A, you may be more likely to develop cancer and vision disorders.
Green chili peppers provide 181.9 milligrams of vitamin C in every 1/2-cup serving, or well over 100 percent of the required daily intake of vitamin C for adults. Also known as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is required by the body to help synthesize collagen, promote the healing of skin wounds and aid in the development of strong bones. It also acts as an antioxidant by preventing free radical damage to DNA. A diet rich in vitamin C may lower your risk of hypertension, cancer, heart disease and osteoarthritis. The concentration of vitamin C in a green chili pepper decreases with exposure to heat, light and air. When you purchase fresh chilies, store them in a cool, dark location and use them within three to four days.
The body needs vitamin K in order to produce proteins, crucial for blood coagulation and to support the development and maintenance of bones. Each 1/2-cup serving of green chilis contains 10.7 micrograms of vitamin K. For a man, this fulfills 8.9 percent of his RDA of vitamin K. For a woman, a green chili serving is almost 12 percent of her daily vitamin K requirement. Regularly eating foods high in vitamin K like green chili peppers may help decrease your risk of osteoporosis and of bleeding dangerously large amounts when you are cut or injured.
All chili peppers, including green chilies, contain capsaicin, the compound that is responsible for the spicy sensation associated with eating a hot pepper. The spicier the pepper is, the more capsaicin it contains. The American Institute for Cancer Research reports that eating rich capsaicin sources like green chili peppers may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, though more research is needed.
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