Fond of eating spicy food? Then, you might also be encouraged to include Jalapeno Peppers on your list of favorite spices. Jalapeno Peppers are not only good for spicing up your meals, it is also good for your health. How? Keep reading and we will unravel to you the astounding health benefits of Jalapeno Peppers.
Jalapeno Peppers: What is this?
Jalapeno Pepper is one of the chilies that the Aztecs used far back then. It is also popular that Jalapeno is one of the most cultivated chilly in Mexico. Now, even US widely uses Jalapeno peppers on their cuisines. The name Jalapeno is based on the capital of Veracruz, Mexico which is Jalapa.
Not just like the other members of the pepper family, Jalapeno peppers can be picked as fully ripen. Before it begins to change color, Jalapeno peppers should be picked and green is its best color. Jalapeno Pepper is a member of the fiery hot pepper group which includes cayenne, tobacco, and cherry. The said spice can grow best in loamy soil and sunny weather. Jalapeno plants germinate in a place with a temperature of 65 to 80 F which makes it best to plant it in tropical countries. A nice and warm environment can help the Jalapeno seeds to grow and sprout.
Jalapeno Peppers: Nutritional Facts
Jalapeno Peppers is packed with a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Phyto-nutrients, Electrolytes, and nutrients are also present in the said spice. A single serving of Jalapeno Pepper contains a good amount of vitamins and it includes Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folates, Pantothenic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin, and Pyridoxine. It also has a great level of minerals such as Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Selenium, Calcium, Phosphorous, and Zinc.
When it comes to the electrolyte contained by Jalapeno Peppers, it has a good amount of potassium and sodium that helps the body to balance its fluids. Jalapeno Peppers is also packed with nutrients such as protein and carbohydrates. All of this in a single spice can bring all the astounding health benefits of Jalapeno Peppers.
| Principle | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Energy | 29 Kcal | 1.5% |
| Carbohydrates | 6.50 grams | 5% |
| Protein | 0.91 grams | 2% |
| Total Fat | 0.37 grams | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligram | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 grams | 7% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 27 µg | 7% |
| Niacin | 1.280 milligrams | 8% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.315 milligrams | 6% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.419 milligrams | 32% |
| Riboflavin | 0.070 milligrams | 5% |
| Thiamin | 0.040 milligrams | 3% |
| Vitamin A | 1078 IU | 36% |
| Vitamin C | 118.6 milligrams | 198% |
| Vitamin E | 3.58 milligrams | 24% |
| Vitamin K | 18.5 µg | 15% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 3 milligrams | <0.5% |
| Potassium | 248 milligrams | 5% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 12 milligrams | 1.2 % |
| Copper | 0.046 milligrams | 5% |
| Iron | 0.25 milligrams | 3% |
| Magnesium | 15 milligrams | 4% |
| Manganese | 0.097 milligrams | 4% |
| Phosphorus | 26 milligrams | 5% |
| Selenium | 0.4 µg | <1% |
| Zinc | 0.14 milligrams | 1% |
| Phyto-nutrients | ||
| Carotene-ß | 561 µg | — |
| Carotene-α | 67 µg | — |
| Cryptoxanthin-ß | 105 µg | — |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 861 µg | — |
Uses of Jalapeno Peppers
There are a lot of ways to enjoy Jalapeno Peppers and to site some, here is the list. First, you can make a super hot and fiery sauce out of these Jalapeno Peppers. Jalapeno sauce can make every meal much appetizing and satisfying. Second, you can use it as a filling in your next fried experiment. Chilies are so flexible when it comes to its culinary usage so don’t be afraid to try mixing Jalapeno Peppers on your next cooking practice. Lastly, you can roast your Jalapeno Pepper and toast it to your favorite salad recipes. The usage of this astounding spice is not limited to the list above. There are a lot of other things you can try using Jalapeno Peppers.
Health Benefits of Jalapeno Peppers
The following are just some of the vast list of the health benefits of Jalapeno Peppers. Check them out!
Helps to Prevent Heart Diseases.
Jalapeno Pepper can help you to guard your heart against acquiring diseases by reducing cholesterol levels in your body, platelet aggregation, and triglycerides. It can also help to avoid the formation of blood clots by providing fibrin which is responsible for dissolving any formation of these clots in the body. A study also shows that countries which consume more hot peppers during their meals have a lower rate of heart attack. This study proves Jalapeno Pepper’s effectivity on heart attack prevention.
Helps to Reduce Inflammation.
Capsaicin contained by Jalapeno Peppers also acts as an anti-inflammatory which helps the body to reduce inflammation. It is also said that capsaicin can treat arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, and psoriasis.
Helps to Relieve a Migraine.
Jalapeno Peppers just like other spices like Sichuan Peppers and Chilies contains this chemical called Capsaicin. Capsaicin has the ability to transmit a message to the brain to stop the pain and discomfort when a migraine attacks.
Helps to Fight Cancer.
Vitamin C is also abundant in Jalapeno Peppers and vitamin C is popular as an immune booster and is a great enemy of free radicals. Free radicals cause cancer and it is a good thing to know that Jalapeno pepper can help to beat them. Vitamin C can also improve the appearance of your skin and it can make your hair shiny and strong.
Helps for Weight Loss.
Jalapeno Peppers contains a low level of calories which can help on your weight loss diet. Eating this spice is proven to be satisfying and fulfilling and that is another factor that can help you to lose weight. Since it only contains a low-calorie count you don’t need to worry about eating much of it.
