Everything You Need To Know About Chillies And Indigestion

Capsaicin, the heat compound in chillies has been shown in numerous medical research articles to have beneficial effects on the digestive system.

While it is our reflexive belief that chillies give us indigestion and other stomach discomforts, this is not the case.

A 1988 study at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and a 1997 study at the University of Pecs in Hungary both concluded that capsaicin (the heat component in chillies) had a gastro-protective effect on the stomach.

It achieved this through stimulating increased blood flow in the surrounding area and an increase in production of stomach mucus, or lining. Reductions in gastric acid production were also observed.

While that's all very exciting, what does it actually mean ?

Well, it essentially translates out that regular consumption of chilli causes the stomach to replace it's mucous lining at a significnatly greater rate. This is a good thing as it ensures that the stomach constantly has new lining which protects us from a number of bad bacteria and other problems.

Also, the decrease in gastric acid production means life will be a little easier if you also have stomach (or peptic) ulcers.

As with everything else we discuss under this Chillies & Your Health section, please consult with your medical advisor before using any sort of new treatment.