The striking burning sensation hot pepper causes inside the mouth is no doubt unforgettable.
In many cultures, pepper is used by men to show 'courage' at withstanding tough situations.
In the rural areas, pepper is served in dog food with a belief that the dog will develop more aggression against intruders.
All these may as well be unwarranted hypotheses and shenanigans. That only 'men' eat pepper is an age old fallacy. Women, and indeed even children, can enjoy a meal with pepper.
And who said pepper is just for taste? Red pepper, the hotness notwithstanding, is laden with health benefits.
Scientifically known as capsicum, hot pepper contains capsaicin, a chemical responsible for the characteristic burning taste.
Published research has indicated that capsaicin elevates metabolism, which in turn speeds up digestion of food in the alimentary canal.
Have you heard of the claim that pepper makes you lose weight? You may want to take it with a pinch of salt but there is some truth to it.
Capsaicin seems to be the magic bullet contained in hot pepper. Researchers say that the compound suppresses appetite while speeding up metabolism, raising body temperature and using up more (fat) energy.
On top of that, pepper has been shown to provide essential vitamins and minerals to the body, which further firm up the immune system.
