Dorothy FarrarPaprika (Chili, Peppers)
Peppers , chillies and hot peppers belong to the group of capsicum plants. They bear your family name because they contain the substance capsaicin. This is considered the main pungent substance that does not decompose when heated, but remains stable.
Worth knowing about paprika, chili & pepperoni
Paprika is a genus of plants that belongs to the nightshade family. Only its fruits are used as a vegetable and spice, the rest of the plant is inedible. Depending on the variety and its level of spiciness, the paprika is subdivided into chili, pepperoni, peperoncini, Spanish pepper or pepperoni.
Peppers have their origins in Central and South America, where they existed in their original forms as early as 7000 BC. In the course of time they were also bred and different types emerged. With the development of time, the pepper has been cultivated more and more, so that today there are more than a thousand different varieties. In addition, the peppers spread to Europe with the discovery of America by the Spanish people. The paprika is now found all over the world because it is cultivated and grown in many ways.
Basically, the peppers are in season in the summer months, whereby this applies mainly to outdoor goods. In addition, various varieties are grown in the greenhouse all year round and harvested several times a year. Peppers come in long, pointed, round, oval, large, and small varieties.
The colors are at least as diverse as their shapes, and they also change again during the course of the maturing process. In addition to the natural colors red, yellow, green and orange, there are also purple peppers. The paprika and hot pepper varieties differ in their taste depending on the variety. While the classic sweet pepper tastes rather sweet and fruity, other varieties are tart, more sour, spicier overall or have different degrees of heat.
importance to health
Even the Native Americans used peppers externally as a remedy. It was then used to treat arthrosis. Today, the ingredient capsaicin can be found in warming ABC plasters, which are used against muscle tension and neck and back pain. Peppers also contain a proportion of nicotine, which is also found in tobacco, tomato and potato plants . The nicotine it contains has a positive effect on the brain cells that produce dopamine . If this production is disrupted, diseases such as Parkinson’s can result. These lead to motor disorders, which can be improved again by eating paprika.
Application in naturopathy
From a naturopathic point of view, capsaicin helps against circulatory disorders and stimulates the metabolism. If this is to be stimulated, the regular consumption of foods seasoned with pepperoni is recommended. Migraines can also be prevented by a frequently recurring intake of capsaicin – however, spicy foods should be avoided directly during a migraine attack or severe headache.
Externally, ointments with capsaicin as the main ingredient help against heel spurs and muscle and joint pain. Pain that follows shingles can be relieved with creams made from hot peppers. In addition to the natural consumption variant, capsaicin is also available as manufactured globules “Capsicum”, which are taken in different potencies depending on the symptoms.
Ingredients & nutritional values
Peppers contain a lot of vitamins A , B and C – the red varieties in particular are very rich in vitamins and healthy. With around 20-30 calories per 100 grams, the fruits have few calories and are therefore ideal for a health-conscious diet. They are the perfect snack between meals. Calcium , potassium , magnesium and zinc are also contained in large quantities, as well as flavonoids and carotenes. The latter give a healthy skin color. Flavonoids strengthen our immune system because they have an antioxidant effect.
| Paprika (red): calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 37 kcal/ 154 kj | |
| protein | 1,30 g | |
| carbohydrates | 6 g | |
| Fett | 0,50 g | |
| Water | 87,30 g | |
| fiber | 3,60 g | |
| Vitamin A | 0,35 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 140,00 mg | |
intolerances
If peppers and hot peppers are not tolerated, a feeling of fullness , belching after meals, nausea , itching on the skin or flatulence with diarrhea can occur. However, this intolerance only affects about one to two percent worldwide. Intolerance to certain foods means that they cannot be digested by the body. Unfortunately, such intolerance cannot be effectively influenced. If there is only belching after eating peppers, blanching and skinning them beforehand can ensure that the fruit is better tolerated.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Peppers should always be bought fresh from the greengrocer or as a single variant in the supermarket when they are crisp and firm. When storing, it should be noted that peppers come from very warm regions and are therefore extremely sensitive to cold.
Storage at room temperature should be avoided, as should storage in the refrigerator. About eight to ten degrees Celsius are ideal for preserving the healthy vital substances of the peppers as best as possible. Dark, cool basement rooms are an optimal storage place.
To prepare in the kitchen, peppers, pepperoni and chillies should be washed and dabbed with hot water. The stem and the inner core are then removed with a sharp knife.
preparation tips
Peppers can be prepared in many different ways. When fresh and crunchy, they’re perfect for eating raw as a snack or adding to salads. If the optimal degree of ripeness has already been exceeded, they can be added to soups or hearty dishes such as goulash or solyanka. Paprika can be boiled down for a hearty Letscho. The sweet red pepper is also a treat, lightly baked and then marinated in oil. The hotter variants such as pepperoni or chili are added to flavor raw or dried dishes.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.