Volume 8, Issue 1

Facts and Myths about Chile Peppers Revealed
Contributed by: Patricia Boone, Pharm.D. Candidate
                       UMKC School of Pharmacy

July 2009

Gardening is prevalent this time of year and one garden favorite is chile peppers.  Perhaps you've heard that eating hot chile can be good for your sinuses?  Have you ever wondered if this is true?  And, besides burning your tongue and mouth when you eat them, do chile peppers have any benefits?  Of course! Let us examine.

Green chiles contain high amounts of vitamin A, C, E, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin.  Vitamin C content does diminish about 30% in canned or cooked chile, so eating them raw seems to be best, if possible. 

Some chiles contain capsaicinoids, which are made in the gland portion of the plants, where the seeds are produced.  It is these glands, and not the seeds, which actually make chiles "hot."  Capsaicinoids trigger pain receptors in our mouth, nose, and stomach and cause the brain to release endorphins, which are natural painkillers in our body.  Some believe that this endorphine release is what causes some people to become "addicted" to chiles and makes them able to build up a tolerance to hot foods.  The most common capsaicinoid is capsaicin.  It is the active ingredient in the topical cream that is used for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.  It has also shown to be effective against cluster headaches and

shingles.  Futhermore, capsaicin is also being replaced as the active ingredient for many anti-mugger sprays.  Capsaicin is what causes your nose to run when you eat a hot pepper and it is believed to have some antibacterial properties. 

So is eating chile peppers beneficial for the sinuses?  Unfortunately it is difficult to find any clinical research to support this claim, but many can agree that hot peppers get your nose running and perhaps this can help clear congestion.  Until research is done, we'll just have to wonder.

As for all the benefits we've discussed, it's no doubt that you'll want to chow down on some chiles this summer.  Just make sure you still take what your doctor recommends for your sinus relief. 

Co-edited by:
Sarah Hare, Pharm.D.
Kristian Olsen, Pharm.D.

Inside this issue: