True or false: Green chillies not only spice up meals, they can also help you lose weight (2024)

We all love a hint of spice in our food, isn’t it? In fact, many Indian dishes are famous for being spicy. But turns out, one of the spiciest ingredients used in Indian kitchens — green chilli — not just enhances flavour but is also rich in nutrients and well, good for weight loss. Sharing these, and the many other health benefits of this “powerhouse of goodness”, nutritionist Mac Singh called wrote on Instagram: “Green chillies are rich in vitamin B6, vitamin A, iron, copper, potassium.”

PROMOTES WEIGHT LOSS. Green chilli helps our body to burn extra fat. Being low in calories (15gm chillies = 6kcal), it speeds up our metabolism.

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TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART. Green chillies reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, by lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Blood pressure and heart rate can both be lowered by eating green chillies. Consumption of green chilli also increases fibrinolytic activity.

GOOD FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH. Green chillies are high in dietary fiber, which aids in colon cleansing and regular bowel movements.

True or false: Green chillies not only spice up meals, they can also help you lose weight (1)

GET RADIANT SKIN. Green chilli’s strong antioxidant vitamin C (15gm chillies = 60%) helps in the production of essential collagen. Vitamin E present in green chilli creates natural oils that are beneficial to the skin. So, treat acne, rashes, pimples, blemishes, and wrinkles effectively.

BEST FOR HAIR GROWTH. Green chillies are a good source of natural silicon, which increases blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles, stimulates hair growth, and protects hair follicles.

GOOD FOR IMMUNITY. They are rich in vitamin C, which help in increasing the immunity levels and in fighting cold and sinus.

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CAPSAICIN present in green chillies cures common cold. It has a stimulating effect on the mucous membranes of the nose. Also, lowers body temperature by stimulating the cooling centre of the hypothalamus in the brain.

CALCIUM in green chillies helps to keep our teeth and bones healthy and strong. It repairs the tissues and contributes to creating new blood cells.

Nutritional profile of green chillies

Talking about the same, G Sushma Clinical Dietician CARE Hospitals Banjara Hills Hyderabad told indianexpress.com, “The nutritional profile of green chillies is quite impressive, considering their small size”.

One green chilli (5g) contains around

1 calorie,
0.1g of protein,
0.1g of fat, and
0.2g of carbohydrates,
0.1g of fibre

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True or false: Green chillies not only spice up meals, they can also help you lose weight (2) Green chilli helps our body to burn extra fat. Being low in calories it speeds up our metabolism (Pic source: Pexels)

But do green chillies help lose weight?

“Some evidence suggests that green chillies may help with weight loss. Capsaicin can help increase metabolism and reduce appetite, leading to decreased calorie intake and weight loss,” said Sushma, adding that “more research, however, is needed to fully understand the potential weight loss benefits of green chillies”.

Things to keep in mind

When consuming green chillies, it’s important to keep in mind that they can cause irritation and discomfort in some individuals, especially those with sensitive stomachs or gastrointestinal issues. “Additionally, consuming too many green chillies can lead to gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea and diarrhoea. Hence, it’s always best to consume green chillies in moderation and gradually increase intake if needed,” concluded Sushma.

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True or false: Green chillies not only spice up meals, they can also help you lose weight (2024)

FAQs

True or false: Green chillies not only spice up meals, they can also help you lose weight? ›

Some evidence suggests that green chillies may help with weight loss. Capsaicin can help increase metabolism and reduce appetite, leading to decreased calorie intake and weight loss,” said Sushma, adding that “more research, however, is needed to fully understand the potential weight loss benefits of green chillies”.

Do green chilies help you lose weight? ›

Green chillies may help reduce the buildup of body fat as per animal and human trials. They may improve fat metabolism. Regular intake of green chillies could help reduce body weight and help improve the metabolism of accumulated fat.

Do chillies help you lose weight? ›

Research shows that eating chili peppers may boost your metabolism and reduce swelling. This could help you lose weight, including burning belly fat. While eating chili peppers alone is unlikely to make a huge difference, it could help in combination with exercise and eating a healthy diet.

Can spicy food burn fat? ›

She adds, “Some research has found that capsaicin increases the body's ability to break down fat and burn more energy.” However, there is other research that suggests eating spicy food doesn't have a significant impact on weight.

Is chili a good meal for weight loss? ›

Several studies suggest that chili peppers may also help control appetite and give your metabolism a little boost. As a result, it may help with weight loss.

Do green peppers burn fat? ›

Research shows that bell peppers contain a compound known as capsaicin to burn fat in your belly by suppressing your appetite. Additionally, bell peppers are rich in fiber which keeps you full for longer durations. Tips to add bell pepper to your diet: Bell peppers go great in salads and many food preparations.

Which chilli is best for weight loss? ›

Cayenne pepper is a spicy, hot pepper that can be used to add flavor to food or as a spice in cooking. It is also a popular spice for weight loss because it helps boost metabolism and burn fat faster than normal.

Do chillies have any health benefits? ›

Boasting high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants, chillies have been found to help prevent lifestyle diseases including some cancers and stomach ulcers. Meanwhile, their ability to create heat within the body has also linked the peppers to weight loss as well as lowering the risk of type II diabetes.

Are carrots raw vegetables? ›

Carrots are a versatile vegetable. People can eat them raw, steamed, boiled, roasted, or as an ingredient in soups and stews. Boiling vegetables can reduce or eliminate some of the vitamin content.

Is chilli a healthy meal? ›

In general, chili is seen as a healthy food since chili contains ingredients from key food groups. If you want to build a healthier bowl of beef chili, choose lean ground beef. Reducing the fat content in the meat is important for heart health and can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

Does green chilli increase appetite? ›

Adding green chillies into your diet can be a game-changer for achieving your body goals. Capsaicin speeds up metabolism and promotes calorie burn, while the spiciness limits your appetite, making it easier to manage weight.

Does green chili burn fat? ›

Health benefits of green chillies

Green chilli helps our body to burn extra fat. Being low in calories (15gm chillies = 6kcal), it speeds up our metabolism. TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART. Green chillies reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, by lowering blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Does spicy food cause belly fat? ›

Additionally, compared to those who did not eat spicy food, there was a higher obesity rate among those who ate spicy food: the spicier the food and the more frequent the intake of spicy food, the higher the obesity rate.

Which pepper is best for weight loss? ›

Cayenne pepper is a natural herb that may help you lose weight. This red pepper may curb your appetite, speed up your metabolism, and help you burn calories. Keep reading to learn more about the potential health benefits of cayenne pepper.

Which is better for weight loss green chillies or red chillies? ›

Green chillies have higher water content and zero calories which makes them a healthy choice for those who are trying to shed some pounds. Green chillies are a rich source of beta–carotene, antioxidants and endorrphins while red chilies consumed in excess can cause internal inflammation which results in peptic ulcers.

What are the side effects of eating chilies? ›

For all their health benefits, eating hot chillies may cause a bit of discomfort. This includes swelling, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, heartburn from acid reflux, and headaches. But the feelings we get are simply from our body's response, not anything the chilli is doing to actually burn us.

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