Page 28 - Florida Sentinel 5-10-19

Health
BOOST YOUR BODY
Fiery peppers pack major health perks. In terms of vitamin C, they beat oranges 3 to 1. They’re also stuffed with vitamins A, B, and E. Some studies suggest cap- saicin acts as an antioxi-
dant to protect your cells and helps tamp down inflammation.
CLEAR A RUNNY NOSE
Fiery. Spicy. Hot. Pungent. Mild. There are countless ways to describe the flavors of hot pep- pers and countless ways to incor- porate them into your diet.
Whether you chop them for salsa, stuff them or pickle them, there are significant health benefits to eating hot peppers.
BANISH MIGRAINES
Spray hot pepper up your nose? Sure, it may sting. But it also may stop
your migraine pain. The spray has a special formula of cap- saicin, a chemical in the part of the pepper that holds the seeds. It numbs your brain’s trigeminal nerve, where some migraines and severe headaches start. Seven out of 10 people in a study who had cluster, tension, and other headaches had total relief for a while. All said the sharp tingle was worth it.
EXTEND YOUR LIFE
Got a sneezy, runny, or stopped-up nose that your doc- tor calls non-allergic rhinitis? That’s when your nose runs constantly but it’s not from a cold, allergies, or cigarette smoke. If so, then a whiff of cap- saicin may help calm your symptoms. It’ll smart at first, and may even seem to worsen your misery. But capsaicin will kick in soon after. Your stuffi- ness might not bother you for a few months.
SPEED METABOLISM
The total-body flush you sense when you eat a hot pep- per is more than a feeling. Cap- saicin -- the chemical behind the zing -- amps up the rate at which your whole body heats up. It also activates a sensory neuron called TRPV1, which helps keep fat from building up and controls your appetite. This metabolism-quickening combo might help you lose weight. Researchers hope to apply this knowledge to curb weight gain.
SOOTHE ARTHRITIS
Capsaicin is the super ingre- dient in many creams, lotions, and patches that bring on heat to quickly quash pain. In one study, it cut discomfort from arthritis and fibromyalgia by half in just a few weeks. Results from other studies were less convincing, suggesting cap- saicin works best when coupled with another pain reliever. Ei- ther way, you need to reapply it often.
Pop a pepper, and you might live longer. One large study showed that adults who ate at least one fresh or dried hot red chili pepper a month for almost 20 years lowered their chances of death by 13%. Researchers think some credit may be due to the pep- pers’ nutrients and their power to fight inflammation and obesity.
PAGE 16-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019