Chipotle peppers, a type of smoke-dried jalapeno, have a wide variety of health benefits, possibly including its potential to act as an reduce blood pressure, help manage diabetes, aid in weight loss, clear up various respiratory conditions, and defend against intestinal diseases. Furthermore, chipotle powder or peppers can help improve the immune system, improve digestion, aid in healthy bone formation, eliminate night blindness, and optimize nutritional uptake from other foods.
Chipotle peppers are normal jalapeno peppers that have been left on the plant until they are mature and bright red, then removed and smoke-dried for a few of days, thereby eliminating the water weight of the pepper that you may get from regular jalapenos. This drying process is what gives chipotle peppers and powder a smoky flavor that is popular in barbecue sauces, salsas, and various other Mexican and Central American dishes.
Chipotles peppers were primarily found in the markets of Mexico, but the widespread popularization of Mexican cuisine in the United States and other parts of the world has greatly increased the availability of chipotle peppers worldwide. Most commonly, chipotle will be found in sauces, adobo (a popular meat marinade), soups, stews, or as a spicy side dish to other traditional Mexican food.
Chipotle Nutrition Facts
Most of the health benefits of chipotle are attributed to its vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium, as well as other nutritive content, including capsaicin, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and dietary fiber.
Health Benefits of Chipotle
Health benefits of chipotle includes:
May Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
Chipotle peppers have also been positively linked to a reduction in cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. They may reduce the presence of cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which can lead to dangerous and life-threatening conditions. It also helps the body dissolve fibrin, a naturally occurring substance that helps to form blood clots, which are the major cause of heart attacks and strokes. Capsaicin also widens and relaxes blood vessels, which can reduce blood pressure, thereby easing the passage of blood through the veins and arteries and reducing stress on the entire cardiovascular system. [1] [2]
The chipotle peppers give dishes like chili a subtle, smoky flavor. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
May Aid in Diabetes Management
Adding chipotle, and more importantly, capsaicin, to your diet can help you reduce many of the dangerous conditions and situations associated with diabetes. Capsaicin helps to manage insulin levels in the body, which reduces high blood sugar in the body. This quality makes chipotle invaluable to people with diabetes, particularly for those with type-2 diabetes. [3]
May Aid in Weight Loss
Recent studies have shown that adding capsaicin-rich food, like chipotle peppers to your diet might help your weight loss efforts. Capsaicin stimulates consistent fat oxidation, rather than storage, so fat is turned into useful, functional energy. The study showed positive results in most of the test subjects, and they showed increased weight loss at a steady, healthy rate, versus the placebo group. Furthermore, diabetes and weight gain are closely related, so this ability to effectively stimulate weight loss is another reason why chipotle can help to combat type 2 diabetes. [4]
May Improve Metabolism and Energy Expenditure
In addition to long-term weight loss, capsaicin found in chipotle and jalapeno peppers may also increase postprandial metabolism. Postprandial means “after eating”, so directly after eating a capsaicin-rich meal, the body increases its metabolism, burns more calories, and basically functions at a higher level across the organ systems, positively affecting the body and defending it against a number of diseases like obesity, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. This also gives you a positive energy boost following your meal, as your body is stimulated to work quickly and convert calories into usable energy. [5]
May Improve Anti-inflammatory Activity
Although people naturally associate hot peppers like chipotle with heat and inflammation, they actually exhibit possibly anti-inflammatory properties, both internally and externally. When topically applied, chili powder mixed into creams can boost pain relief of sore joints and muscles, and when consumed, capsaicin-rich foods also reduce inflammation throughout the body that is linked to conditions like arthritis. [6] [7]
May Help Ease Respiratory Conditions
Everyone knows how annoying it can be to have a stuffy nose or a sinus headache, and chipotle peppers and powder can help relieve those irritating conditions! Capsaicin remains the most powerful element in this process, and induces mucus secretion, which can empty out the airways and sinuses, and also remove the irritants or bacteria that might be causing the respiratory or sinus condition in the first place! [8]
May Help Boosts Immunity
Chipotle is a potentially rich source of vitamin C and this natural antioxidant can help to scavenge free radicals from the body and reduce your chances of contracting a number of diseases and condition. Vitamin C is also helpful in the production of carnitine, which stimulates the metabolism of fat into useful energy, so it reduces weight loss and improves your health in that way as well. [9]
May Aid in Digestion
Chili peppers like chipotle have a possibly high fiber content, which can greatly benefit your digestive system. Dietary fiber adds bulk to your bowel movements and helps food pass smoothly through the digestive tract, stimulates peristaltic motion, and even increases the secretion of bile and digestive juices. This also means that chipotle reduces the chances of constipation, as well as the dangerous side effects of that intestinal condition. [10]
May Improve Bone Health
As a source of calcium and magnesium, chipotle peppers offer strong prevention of bone deterioration by stimulating growth and repair. These essential minerals are invaluable to bone health, so having a proper daily intake can reduce chances of debilitating diseases like osteoporosis. [11]
May Improve Eye Health
Significant levels of vitamin A can be found in jalapeno peppers and chipotles, and this essential nutrient has a long history of improving eye health, slowing down the appearance of cataracts, and reducing macular degeneration. It also helps significantly reduce the impact of a condition called night blindness, which makes it possible to function better in the dark because your eyes respond and adjust more quickly. [12]
May Improve Wound Healing
Potassium is another essential nutrient found in significant quantities in chipotle peppers. Potassium has a wide variety of applications, including its use as a vasodilator for reduced blood pressure and a stimulant for cognitive function. It also speeds up the healing of wounds and growths (particularly ulcers) and reduces the appearance of scars. Furthermore, potassium is a necessary component for the body to uptake calcium, thereby aiding in the development of bone matter for growth and repair, as well as the prevention of osteoporosis. [13] [14]
Few Words of Caution
Despite the impressive list of benefits, chipotle peppers do have a serious amount of heat! That can exacerbate preexisting gastrointestinal disorders such as heartburn or irritable bowel syndrome. The esophageal tissue can also sometimes become inflamed due to the capsaicin content. However, if you develop a tolerance for the heat of jalapenos and chipotle peppers, they can be a huge boost to your health! Natural caution against adding something new to your diet is always important, particularly if you don’t know if you are allergic to a specific food type.
Other than that, grab a glass of something cold to cool off your mouth and enjoy this spicy, beneficial pepper!
