You have probably heard that capsaicin has some nice health benefits, and here you are looking to see what types of foods you can add to your diet so you can enjoy those benefits. Hopefully, you enjoy spicy food because that is where you are going to find capsaicin.
Best Foods for Capsaicin
When you are looking to add capsaicin to your diet, you need to look toward chili peppers. You will want to add peppers such as jalapeños, habaneros, cayenne, and red peppers, along with all their varieties. Of course, you will find that there are quite a few different types of specialty peppers, all claiming to be hotter than the others, such as ghost peppers, the Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Komodo Dragon and the Naga Viper. These latter peppers are some of the hottest in the world, and you might want to think twice before diving in headfirst with these options.
It is true that you can find trace amounts of capsaicin in other types of foods, such as cilantro, cinnamon, and oregano. However, the amounts here are so small that you can’t really consider these to be capsaicin foods. Sure, you can add them to your diet if you would like, but do not expect them to replace the spicy foods that contain capsaicin.
How to Add the Foods to Your Diet
Unless you are a true glutton for punishment, you do not want to go out and grab habaneros and start eating them by the handful. In fact, it is not a good idea to do this. Instead, you can add the peppers to your diet slowly, and be sure to get creative with where and how you add foods that contain capsaicin. This simply means finding interesting recipes and ways to add them to your diet.
For example, you could start to put more hot sauce or peppers into soups, chili, curry, and other foods that you already eat. Start with some of the milder options, such as red pepper flakes or the jalapeno peppers. You can always move up to other peppers later if you would like.
Why Should You Care About Foods that Contain Capsaicin?
Why are foods that contain capsaicin a good option? They have the potential to offer some great health benefits, for starters. They can help with fat loss, along with reducing inflammation, for example. They have some fantastic health benefits that can help keep you in better health.
Be Careful
When you start to use foods that contain capsaicin, keep in mind that the heat may not just get into your mouth. If you are cooking with hot peppers, it is a good idea to wear gloves and to wash your hands after cutting and adding them to any dish. If you don’t, there is a chance you could get the capsaicin in your eyes or elsewhere, and that is not a good feeling.
It is time to start adding some foods that contain capsaicin to your diet. Start slow, build your tolerance, and enjoy the taste and the health benefits they offer.