Are Hatch chilis good for you?
For many New Mexico families, roasting, bagging and freezing chile every season is a tradition that rivals better known holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It may all be for good reason. The staple of our diet, recently voted best iconic American food, throughout the year packs a variety of health benefits that goes well beyond the first fiery bite.
Hatch early mood food
Bite into a Hatch chile pepper and you’ll be taken aback if the nerves on your tongue are not used to the heat. What is causing that immediate reaction is a substance within the pepper called capsaicin. Not all chiles have the same amount of capsaicin – the more intense the heat, the more capsaicin in the chile. Researchers are particularly interested in capsaicin, as they are discovering more ways it is potentially beneficial for our health. Some research is even examining it as a potential pain killer used in surgery.
From fighting inflammation to boosting immunity and clearing congestion – take a bite of a chile next time allergies strike and you’ll see what we mean – capsaicin packs a powerful punch. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol, help stop the spread of prostate cancer cells and lower the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Eating a diet rich in chile may also help you lose weight. Our bodies kick in extra energy and burn more calories to digest chile peppers.
