Many centuries ago, Portuguese explorers in search of spices not only discovered the famous Spice Route to the East but also discovered southern Africa's best guarded secret… the tiny bird's-eye chilli.
Known in different regions as peri-peri, piri piri and pili-pili, it is this tiny capsicum that gives the Nando's sauces and flame-grilled chicken its unique flavour.
Here are some of the health benefits that chillies provide:
- High levels of Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that binds with free radicals (those bodies that cause cells to mutate) and is essential for the formation of collagen. One Jalapeño chilli contains more vitamin C than three oranges.
- An excellent purifying agent
- A tremendous source of vitamin A, folic acid and potassium
- Chillies also contain Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Magnesium, Thiamine (Vit B1), Riboflavin (Vit B2) and Niacin
- An effective decongestant (as many a teary-eyed chilli eater will confirm)
- Thinning of the blood, essential to prevent blood clots (Capsaicin - the heat component in Chillies)
- A lowering effect on cholesterol (Capsaicin)
Chillies are also believed to trigger the release of endorphins, chemicals produced by the body which tend to lift your spirits. A good diet would include peri-peri in at least one meal a day, 365 days of the year!
