Are Jalapeños Bad For You?
Also Known As: chili pepper
Short answer
Jalapeños, like other chili peppers, are loaded with several health benefits. However, eating too many can have some detrimental effects.
Recommended Alternative
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
If you are looking for something to add to your diet that can help you maintain or lose weight, jalapeños may be just what the doctor ordered. With little sodium (just one milligram per cup), jalapeños reduce water retention and thus decrease the risk of weight gain. Also contributing to weight loss are capsaicinoids, which studies have shown may increase calorie- and fat-burning for use as energy. Add to this the fact that jalapeños are free of cholesterol and saturated fat and you have a weight loss powerhouse.
Keeping off the weight isn’t the only reason to eat jalapeños. They are also particularly good for the immune system and eyes. Antioxidants such as vitamin A, along with other carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin work to prevent age-related macular degeneration and keep eyes healthy and focused. One cup of jalapeño will give you around 15% of the daily value for vitamin A. Not only do these carotenoids work to protect the eyes, but they also help fight free radicals that cause damage to the DNA and may lead to a variety of diseases. Another vitamin important in the fight against free radical damage is vitamin C, with one cup of jalapeños having around 70% of the daily recommended value. Capsaicin, in particular, is responsible for many of the health benefits associated with jalapeños and other chili peppers, helping prevent type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer.
Capsaicin can, however, have negative effects when consumed in excess. It can lead to mouth or throat damage and be especially irritating to the stomach, causing heartburn and even stomach ulcers. One study also found that elevated amounts of capsaicin increase the risk of developing gastric cancer. So, while jalapeños do offer several benefits, it is probably best to limit how many you eat. People with IBS or chronic heartburn should either avoid it completely or drastically limit the amount they use – perhaps even taking out the seeds first.
Possible short-term side effects
- heartburn
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stomach ulcers (rare)
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mouth and throat damage (rare)
Possible long-term side effects
Benefits
- promotes weight loss
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promotes eye health
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protects against type-2 diabetes
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protects against cardiovascular disease
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protects against some forms of cancers
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Sliced Tamed Jalapeños
- Mild spice level
- Conveniently sliced
- 12 oz dual pack
- Natural ingredients
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-27-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 02-27-2016
Last updated: 12-01-2023
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