Herbs and Spices - Chili Powder
Chili Powder
Chili powder is the dried, pulverized fruit of one or more varieties of chili pepper, sometimes with the addition of other spices. Chili powder is sometimes known by the chili pepper used (such as cayenne pepper) and is incorporated in many different cuisines, including Tex-Mex, Indian, Chinese, Korean and Thai. This spice is used to add pungency and flavor to dishes.
Chilli peppers are used for making chili powder and have been used as the part of diet since 7500 BC. In South America, it was the first cultivated crop and since then has been used in many dishes. The first European was Christopher Columbus to contact them and gave it the name pepper due to its spicy and hot taste. It is also used for its medicinal effects and cures various conditions that were documented firstly in 1494.
Firstly chili was used in South and Latin American countries and got quickly spread due to trade and made its way in Indonesian, Chinese, Asian and Korean cultures. The intensity of these peppers varies that depends on where the chili is cultivated. When the chilies are made in the powder form, it becomes even stronger and hotter in intensity due to the fact that seeds are used are the hottest part of pepper, it is used to make powders in different cuisines.
Benefits:
1.Keep your eyes healthy: Chili powder contains Vitamin A that is known for improving your eyesight and preventing night blindness and macular degeneration from developing as we aged.
2.Helps improve cognitive functioning : The amount of iron in chili powder leads to increased hemoglobin production and increases blood flow. Proper amounts of oxygen and iron in the brain lead to improved cognitive performance and a decrease in cognitive disorders like alzheimers disease and dementia.
3.Help maintain a healthy blood pressure: Chili powder has a great potassium to sodium ratio. They are well known because of its high potassium content. This helps the blood vessels relax and maintains proper blood pressure.
4.Helps support digestive system: Chili powder possesses a considerable amount of fiber. Fiber stimulates peristaltic motion and increased secretion of gastric juices, which eases digestion, prevents conditions like constipation, and protects the body from more serious conditions like colorectal cancer.
5.Fight infections: Vitamin C is a potent natural water-soluble antioxidant that assist the body building resistance against infectious agents and get rid of cancer-causing free radicals in the body..
6.Great for hair and skin: Adequate vitamin C intake does not only improve the immune system but can also create and maintain collagen, an important protein found in hair and skin. Also, chili powder contains vitamin A to keep the hair moisturized through increased sebum production. Lastly, chili powder is an excellent source of vitamin E is in skin care and hair care. Owing to its antioxidant properties, vitamin E promotes the circulation of blood to the scalp.
7.Alleviate joint pain: It provides relief from joint pain as well as promotes the flow of blood.
Serving way:
Chili powder is added to chili con carne, beans, or casseroles when the other ingredients are mixed and set to cook. Often, additional amounts of the spices that are typical components of chili powder (such as cumin) are also called for in the recipe, to create the desired flavor combinations. Chili powder can also be used as a rub on meats before grilling.
https://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/natural-health/7-health-benefits-of-chili-powder/