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Chili Peppers for Breakfast?

by | Sep 29, 2023 | CSA, Oak Spring Farm, Recipes, Uncategorized, Veggie Spotlight | 0 comments

Do you like it hot?

I do.

I like hot weather and hot, spicy food (and hot coffee)!

Now, don’t let me mislead you.

My tolerance had to be built.  Compared to some friends, I’m low on the scale. Wherever your tolerance lies on the spicy spectrum add more spice in your life with hot peppers. 

Chili peppers certainly add a unique and flavorful kick to dishes.  Let’s take a look at 

Some of the benefits associated with consuming chili peppers

 

  1. Metabolism Boost: Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers, has been shown to increase metabolism and promote fat burning. This can potentially aid in weight management.

  2. Pain Relief: Capsaicin is also used in topical creams for its pain-relieving properties. It can help alleviate certain types of pain, including arthritis and neuropathic pain.

  3. Heart Health: Some studies suggest that capsaicin may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. It can also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.

  4. Anti-Inflammatory: Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for conditions related to inflammation, such as osteoarthritis.

  5. Antioxidant Properties: Chili peppers contain antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This may contribute to overall health and well-being.

  6. Appetite Control: Spicy foods, including those containing chili peppers, may help control appetite and reduce overall calorie intake, which can be useful for weight management.

  7. Improved Digestion: Spices like chili peppers can aid in digestion by increasing gastric juices and promoting better digestion of food.

  8. Mood Enhancement: Eating spicy foods can trigger the release of endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones, which may contribute to a sense of well-being and happiness.

The History of the Chili Pepper
And before we start talking about eating hot peppers for breakfast, let’s look at why chili peppers were used in the first place.
Spices have played a big role beyond taste in the past.
They actually help prevent spoilage, which is still very important in warm climates. In cold climates, you could “freeze” your food in snow or even place it in a frozen pond but in warm climates food would spoil quickly.
 Many spices contain antibacterial/anti-microbial properties, which would aid in preventing food spoilage.
What makes them hot is also the chemical that aids in food preservation.
What is it?
Well, you guessed it: capsaicin.
This hot chemical that gives heat to peppers is also a very powerful anti-microbial that is known to kill 75% of bacterial growth that could cause food spoilage.

Add some chili pepper into your morning routine  
Chopped fresh jalapeños, a dab or smokey hot sauce, Chipotle salt or some pico de Gallo are delicious on morning eggs and in a breakfast burrito. 
You can sneak some chili pepper or some jalapeño in your morning smoothie -the heat will rev up your metabolism and give you an extra jump start in your day. 
So make some fresh, homemade salsa, cowboy candy (candied jalapeños), or your own hot sauce this week and enjoy the benefit of a little more spice in your life!
Click here to get our recipe for homemade Pico de Gallo 

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