Taking a bite out of a fresh jalapeño can be fiery enough to distract you from any pain you may have been feeling, but studies show that jalapeños can actually relieve pain. If you’re looking for what to thank for jalapeños spicy flavor, it’s capsaicin. GoodRx describes capsaicin as a pain reliever that can aid in alleviating pain caused by conditions such as joint inflammation and pulled muscles. While jalapeños aren’t a cure, they will certainly bring some peace to the discomfort in the meantime. In addition to relieving pain, capsaicin has been said to help combat cancer. According to Heathline, capsaicin has the ability to kill more than 40 types of cancer cells, all without causing any damage to healthy, normal cells.
If you’re trying to incorporate more nutrient-packed jalapeños into your diet, there are endless ways to do so. When cooked, these hot chili peppers may even be mild enough for those weary of a fragrant mouth. Toss raw jalapeños on top of a salad, sauté them in a stir fry, can them for next season, or even pickle them.
