Bhut Jolokia Health Benefits, Uses, Nutritional Value, And Side Effects

Bhut Jolokia Health Benefits, Uses, Nutritional Value, And Side Effects of Ghost Pepper/Hot Pepper

Introduction

Bhut Jolokia is a kind of chili popularly used in Assamese cuisine and known to all. Many people like the spiciness of its taste. Bhut Jolokia is rich in medicinal properties. In addition to being rich in medicinal properties, it is also a meaningful crop. The climate of Assam is very very suitable for Bhut Jolokia production. Bhut Jolokia is one of the best geographical resources of Assam. This article will discuss the health benefits of Ghost pepper.

What is Ghost Paper/Bhut Jolokia?

Ghost pepper is a bushy plant. It is also known as Bhut Jolokia, Naga Jolokia, Raja Marich etc. Ghost pepper is an inter-species hybrid.

Bhut Jolokia Health Benefits, Uses, Nutritional Value, And Side Effects
Bhut Jolokia

It is cultivated in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur in India. This chili has listed itself in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s spiciest chili in 2008.

Origin of Bhut Jolokia

Bhut Jolokia originated in the state of Assam. In addition to tea cultivation, the topography of Assam also supports the cultivation of Hot pepper. It is also found in the other states of northeast as well as in Assam.

Demand for Ghost paper/ Bhut Jolokia in international markets:

Bhut Jolokia is now popular worldwide. Ghost pepper has an increasing demand for it in the international market because of its medicinal and commercial purposes. Oleoresin capsicums and Capsaicin are the main reasons for the high levels of its spiciness. The dried skin of ghost pepper is used as a suitable source of Oleoresin paprika. This chili is widely popular in international markets in the form of ‘Whole dry pod flakes’ and ‘powder’. Dried Hot pepper has significantly growing demand in Singapore and Thailand markets.

Read Also: Parijat – 10+ Benefits, Uses, Medicinal Qualities, and Side Effects

Characteristics

Fully grown ripe ghost pepper can be 60-70 mm long and 35-30 mm wide. It is green in color when it’s raw and turns red, yellow and orange while ripen. There are a lot of seeds inside it.

Various lingual names of Ghost pepper:
  • English: Ghost pepper, Hot Pepper
  • Hindi: Raja Mircha
  • Manipuri: Umorok, Oomorok
  • Bengali: Naga morich 
  • Assamese: Bhut jolokia, Naga jolokia, Bih jolokia
Nutritional value of Ghost paper/ Capsicums Assamicum per 100 gram
  • Energy : 24.44 kcal
  • Carbohydrate : 2.36 gram
  • Protein : 1.59 gram
  • Dietary fiber : 4.83 gram
  • Iron : 1.98 miligram
  • Zink : 0.15 milligram
  • Phosphorus : 40 milligram 
  • Copper : 0.19 milligram
  • Manganese : 0.19 milligram
  • Calcium : 8.79 milligram
  • Capsaicin : 460 miligram
  • Dihydro- Capsaicin : 90 milligram

Benefits of Ghost Pepper/Bhut Jolokia

1. Benefits the Digestive Tract:

This may seem counterintuitive, but the capsaicin in Bhut Jolokia actually acts as an antidote. People with ulcers are often told to avoid hot spicy foods, but research has shown that King Chilli ulcers are beneficial. For example, nets provide antioxidants and other chemicals to help with digestive problems, such as stomach upset, intestinal gas, diarrhea and cramps.

It lowers the HDT in the digestive tract and causes ulcers. It helps in the production of saliva and stimulates the gastric juice which helps indigestion.

2. Promotes a healthy heart:

Bhut Jolokia helps in cardiovascular health and circulatory system and prevents heart disease and lowers lipid deposits by lowering blood cholesterol and therefore, counteracts the clotting of excessive blood. It divides the blood vessels to support the flow of blood.

3. Reduces Migraine:

Red pepper has benefits in case of migraine. Its sharpness makes your body more susceptible to migraines and reduces the overall sensitivity to pain.

4. Relieves joint pain:

Bhut Jolokia can relieve joint pain. Due to the potent antidepressant properties of capsaicin, it can be used on skin to reduce the chemical P, which is a substance that carries the message of pain to the brain. Capsaicin acts as an antidote. It is used for its effectiveness in Shingles HIV and other types of pain.

5. Improves Metabolism / Promotes Weight Loss:

Ghost pepper increases the metabolic rate in our body which increases body temperature. That process consumes energy, and it burns extra calories. In addition, if the chili is eaten for breakfast, the rest of the day is suppressed which ultimately helps in weight loss.

It can even alter your body’s protein to cope with the accumulation of fat. Capsaicin has also been studied as a good method for weight loss. It selectively destroys the nerve fibers that carry messages from the stomach to the brain.

6. Suppresses Quells Psoriasis:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which the skin becomes itchy and causes ugly blemishes on it. The capsaicin cream present in Hot pepper significantly reduces the number of cells and replicates and helps in the healing of autoimmune skin wounds.

7. Reduces Cancer Risk:

Since capsaicin has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it has been studied as a cancer-fighting agent. It slows down the growth of prostate cancer cells, while sparing the normal cells.

Research has shown that the consumption of a generous amount of ghost Chili pepper are effective against breast, pancreatic and bladder cancers.

8. Fights flu, colds and fungal infections

Red pepper prevents flu. Ghost peppers are rich in beta carotene and antioxidants that support your immune system and help fight against colds and flu.

Studies have shown that nasal sprays containing capsaicin reduce congestion. Increased body temperature from taking this chili helps fight the norovirus (flu), the flu virus which activates the immune system.

Bhut Jolokia consumption fights 16 types of fungus by reducing the fungus bacteria. 

9. Prevents bad breath:

The benefits of Bhut Jolokia can be seen in preventing bad breath. Bhut Jolokia improves the smell of your breath and acts as a disinfectant for the air you breathe.

10. Prevents Allergies:

For the anti-inflammatory benefits of Bhut Jolokia capsaicin it can help prevent bee pollen allergies and its allergic symptoms.

Read Also: 18 Amazing Health Benefits of Sugarcane Juice – Uses, Nutritional Value

Uses of Bhut Jolokia/Red Pepper

Bhut Jolokia is basically used in food items as spice. It is used in both fresh and dried forms to make many dishes, pickles and sauces. It is popularly used with pork, dried or fermented fish. Bhut Jolokia powder is popularly used in making different kinds of food. In northeastern India, as a precautionary measure to keep wild elephants away, polling booths are fenced or covered with smoke bombs.

Side Effects of Hot Pepper

Some of the side effects occurring from the excessive intake of Bhut Jolokia are –

  • Stomach pain- Anything from mild discomfort to double pain can last for hours.
  • Seizures- It’s shocking that in our system, hyperventilation is quite common for humans. And in the worst case scenario, it could even be the cause of Caesar.
  • May cause holes into your esophagus. Sometimes ago, there was a boy who ate a burger with ghost pepper puree in it. This was followed by his coughing and poking, which resulted in a one-inch-long hole in his neck.
  • Anaphylactic shock.

Excessive use of anything can lead to health damage. Similarly, as Ghost pepper has many advantages, it also has some harmful sides. Therefore, we need to take into account the benefits and harmful sides of ghost pepper while using it on a regular basis and seek medical advice before using it in the treatment of any diseases or health issues.

Conclusion

From the above article you must have come to know about Bhut Jolokia. The article included uses, nutritious elements, different linguistic names, disadvantages and benefits of Bhut Jolokia. We hope that the information contained in this article will help you in various ways. Thank You!

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