Chili Peppers are good for the brain and for your mood! You probably never thought of them that way, did you? I know I didn't. I love hot foods, so I eat a lot of foods with peppers. I have always known they were good for helping me fight the inflammation my body has a problem with. But I had never thought of them as helping my mood until I started doing some research on foods and their relationships to the brain, dementia, and mood. (Yes, my late husband suffered from those illnesses; thus, my research.)
You may know chili peppers contain a fat-soluble molecule called capsaicin. I knew this was the molecule that helps with my pain and inflammation but until recently I never knew how much this affects our moods. The brain is loaded with receptors for capsaicin, and we respond by releasing endorphins, natural compounds that have a calming effect on us! If you don't like the heat of peppers, introduce them into your diet gradually in some casseroles, Tex-Mex foods, etc.
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