The Reason You Should Consider Eating More Jalapenos
Jalapeños are definitely one of the more popular peppers in the produce aisle. From jalapeño poppers to nachos accoutrements, they're found under the appetizer section on many restaurant menus. If a little kick of spice is your thing, jalapeños are the perfect pepper to add to your diet, but not just for the taste. Heathline reports that jalapeño peppers aren't just delicious, they're good for you, too.
The spicy green pepper is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and overall health benefits. Just one jalapeño holds so many nutrients that it's basically a tongue twister to list off. One raw pepper encompasses fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Folate, and Manganese. These nutrients will not only make you feel good, but they'll make you look good, too. Vitamin C, in particular, is a skin savior. Dermatologist Patricia Wexler tells Allure, "Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells."
Yet another jalapeño bonus: low calorie count. One raw jalapeño pepper contains only four calories. Between that low calorie content and the ability to rev up your metabolism, this ingredient is a great asset to your diet if you're trying to focus on your physical health.
Jalapeños can be canned, pickled, or just enjoyed like chips for the adventurous
Taking a bite out of a fresh jalapeño can be fiery enough to distract you from any pain you may have been feeling, but studies show that jalapeños can actually relieve pain. If you're looking for what to thank for jalapeños spicy flavor, it's capsaicin. GoodRx describes capsaicin as a pain reliever that can aid in alleviating pain caused by conditions such as joint inflammation and pulled muscles. While jalapeños aren't a cure, they will certainly bring some peace to the discomfort in the meantime. In addition to relieving pain, capsaicin has been said to help combat cancer. According to Heathline, capsaicin has the ability to kill more than 40 types of cancer cells, all without causing any damage to healthy, normal cells.
If you're trying to incorporate more nutrient-packed jalapeños into your diet, there are endless ways to do so. When cooked, these hot chili peppers may even be mild enough for those weary of a fragrant mouth. Toss raw jalapeños on top of a salad, sauté them in a stir fry, can them for next season, or even pickle them.