Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Chiles and Health”
by Dave DeWitt, Melissa T. Stock, and Kellye Hunter The following excerpt is from the book The Healing Powers of Peppers, released in May 1998 by Three Rivers Press, New York, NY (available from online used book stores). Illustration by Harald Zoschke Exercise, diet, and deprivation–the dreaded regimen of many a New Year’s resolution. But keep in mind, as you …
by Kellye Hunter and Dave DeWitt The power of chiles is enough to inspire mythology and folk tales, so it is not surprising that some people believe in its ability to control our minds–or at least our bodies. While it is true that many chile lovers exhibit distinctly druggie habits–we’ve seen people who always travel with a stash of hot …
by Dave DeWitt The power of oleoresin capsicum is so great that it has become a popular ingredient in personal defense sprays that have virtually replaced tear gas products such as Mace. The tear gas products had proven to be virtually ineffective against many violent attackers, especially those under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. Additionally, the tear gas products …
by Dave DeWitt Are chiles a cause of ulcers or a cure for them? For centuries, there have been two schools of thought on the subject. The first holds that chiles produce excess stomach acid, which eats holes in the wall of the stomach and duodenum. This is why spicy diets have long been forbidden for ulcer sufferers. The other …
by Dave DeWitt Here’s another theory about why people eat spicy foods. The hotter the climate, the spicier the cuisine, states a report by Jennifer Billing and Paul W. Sherman of Cornell University, in Quarterly Review of Biology, March 1998. They believe the chemicals that keep spice plants safe from their natural predators are the same compounds that keep food …
