Some Like It Hot---And That's Good for Them!

An article from Bastyr touts the benefits of chile peppers. Here's the URL for the entire article, a portion of the article is below the URL.

Think they are too hot for your children? Not so, the children in my childcare LOVED hot foods. Children can learn to love whatever foods your family introduce them to, just start slowly.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/386930_bastyr10.html

Natural Medicine: Feel the burn: Chiles and your health

Chile peppers have more to offer than just spice -- they're also full of a variety of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds.

Chiles are the fruit of the Capsicum annuum plant, and they are the most widely grown spice in the world.

Before the discovery of chiles, the only known "hot" spices in Europe and Asia were black pepper and horseradish.

Chile peppers are rich in ascorbic acid and vitamin E, which are strong antioxidants; potassium, which keeps the heart healthy; and carotenoids, which are good for the eyes.

They also contain flavonoids, which give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors, aromas and flavors.

Flavonoids are believed to explain many of the health benefits from eating fruits and vegetables, and chiles are full of them.