Just the other day I had a dietary epiphany! Something that I had been ignoring for so long has now become a central part to my daily food intake – Chillies! Ok, what’s so great about chillies, well they’re hot, but in addition: -

1. Increase your metabolism – Chillies have a thermogenic compound which increases the metabolism and thus helps burn fat. Tests have shown it to increase the metabolism by 23% for up to 3 hours after consumption.

2. Lowers Cholesterol – Recent tests have shown that Chillies also decrease cholesterol levels, though I’m not sure by how much so don’t stop exercising just yet!

3. Decreases Blood Sugar levels – Apparently research in 2006 suggests that after eating chillies, the amount of insulin required to lower the body’s blood sugar level after a meal was reduced by 60%.

Ok, what else...how about....

4. Reduces the spreading of stomach cancer;
5. Reduces the risk of prostrate cancer;
6. Clears a blocked nose.

Oh and let’s not forget that capsaicin, the active component in chillies is the active ingredient in pepper spray..so many wonderful benefits...