Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the Western world, and high cholesterol (high levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)) is the leading cause. High levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) circulating in the blood can turn into plaque, causing clogged arteries.
This occurs when the LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood turns into plaque. The body also requires HDL (good cholesterol) cholesterol, which carries LDL (bad cholesterol) to the liver for removal from the body. However, when LDL cholesterol levels are high, HDL levels are low, this results in a buildup of LDL cholesterol in the body and therefore the risk of blocked arteries.
Weight gain is also a global epidemic, and combined with high blood cholesterol levels, you are a time bomb waiting to go off, at risk of serious and fatal diseases.
For centuries, the humble chili has been used as a health tonic in many countries, in addition to its common use in foods around the world. However, it is only now that Capsicum, also known as red bell pepper or chilli pepper, is really coming to the fore for its health benefits. It is a great solution for lowering cholesterol and at the same time, it is very beneficial for weight loss.
Until very recently we could not take this superfood in supplement form, because it aggravates the digestive tract. However, due to a recent technology release, we are now able to take a concentrated form of this amazing weight loss food in tablet form.
So how can chili pepper lower my cholesterol and lower my weight at the same time?
Pepper, when taken in high doses, works by considerably speeding up metabolism and burning fat before it can be absorbed by the body and stored as fat. It also helps suppress your appetite, making you much less prone to overeating, snacking, or bingeing during the day. The calories that are consumed during a meal and are not used immediately, turn into triglycerides and are transported to the fat cells to be stored. Capsaicin stops fat absorption by increasing the metabolic rate, which means that fat is better mobilized by the body. The higher your metabolic rate, the more fat you will lose.
Chili also increases blood circulation, so more oxygen and nutrients are transported through the body at a faster and more efficient rate. This promotes a healthier body and ensures continued weight loss.
Capsicum contains vitamin C and vitamin A, which contain beta-carotenoids, which are both powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants remove free radicals and other toxins from our body and clear metabolic pathways, helping our bodies function more efficiently. It also increases the supply of nutrients to the tissues. If free radicals are not controlled in the body, a buildup of harmful chemicals and toxins can occur, dramatically increasing our chances of serious illness. The antioxidants in Capsicum scavenge free radicals that can also increase cholesterol levels, which can also cause heart disease.
The bell pepper also contains vitamin B6 and folic acid. Vitamin B reduces the high level of homocysteine, which has been shown to cause blood vessel damage and is associated with a much higher risk of heart attack and stroke. It also converts homocysteine to other molecules, which is beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels.
Capsaicin, the compound in chili that is responsible for its heat, also helps lower levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides (the chemical form in which most fat exists in food and in the body). When capsaicin is ingested, the typical increase in blood and liver serum cholesterol levels is significantly reduced.
Pepper has also been found to help regulate blood pressure, stimulate better blood circulation, and reduce common respiratory diseases such as asthma, the common cold, sinusitis, and bronchitis, as it also dilates the airways in the lungs.
