Does Ghost Pepper Have Health Benefits?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Even the biggest hot pepper fans must exercise some care when eating ghost peppers. But

these spicy vegetables have some great health benefits

. They are low fat, low calorie, and contain a healthy amount of vitamin C. But the capsaicin they contain seems to be the greatest source of health benefits.

What are the side effects of eating a ghost pepper?

  • Stomach pain. Anything from mild discomfort to being doubled over in agony. …
  • Seizures. It’s such a shock to your system that it’s fairly common for people to hyperventilate. …
  • A hole in your esophagus. …
  • Anaphylactic shock and even DEATH.

Is ghost pepper harmful?

Despite these health benefits,

PepperScale warns of one very immediate danger that ghost peppers can pose even before you eat them

. The oils they contain are so hot that just touching a pepper can burn you pretty badly, so you should never try preparing them without gloves and goggles, maybe even a hazmat suit.

How many ghost peppers can you eat?

Yes, you could die from ingesting ghost peppers, but you’d need to eat a lot of them at once. Researchers have determined

a 150-pound (68-kilogram) person would need to eat 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms) of ghost peppers to die

.

What to do after you eat a ghost pepper?

DO

drink something acidic

.

Balancing it with an acid can help neutralize the molecule’s activity. This means drinking or eating something acidic — such as lemonade, limeade, orange juice or a tomato-based food item or drink — may also help cool your mouth down. (Milk is also acidic, by the way.)

What is ghost pepper used for?

It’s used in

curries, pickling brine and chutneys

and has made its way into Western hot sauces and cuisines and even candy! Of course given its intense heat, the ghost pepper is also a staple of eating contests and drunken dares everywhere.

Can ghost peppers damage your stomach?

When capsaicin enters the stomach, it can stimulate the production of gastric mucus and temporarily speed up metabolism. As your stomach works to digest the spicy food, you may experience pain or cramping, but again,

it won’t cause actual damage

.

Why is it called ghost pepper?


Due to the fact that “bhut” means “ghost” in the Assam language

, this pepper is often called the “ghost pepper,” in the Western world. These peppers have dented skin that is very thin and easy to tear.

Can ghost pepper make you sick?

Ghost peppers are considered the hottest chili peppers in the world with a measured ‘heat” of >1,000,000 Scoville heat units.

After ingesting this meal, forceful retching and vomiting followed at which point the patient started to feel severe chest pain and abdominal pain

.

Can you bite a ghost pepper?

When you bite into a ghost pepper, your mouth feels heat in the most extreme way.

Yes, you could die from ingesting ghost peppers

. In fact, researchers have determined a 150-pound person would need to eat 3 pounds of dried and powdered capsaicin-rich peppers like the ghost pepper to die.

Is ghost pepper the hottest pepper?


In 2007, the ghost pepper ranked as the the world’s hottest chili pepper

. With a Scoville score of 1,041,427 SHU, it is about 400 times hotter than Tabasco sauce, about 200 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper, and about 6 times hotter than a habanero pepper.

What is the spiciest thing in the world?

According to the Daily Post, the

Dragon’s Breath chile

, now the world’s spiciest pepper, clocks in at a hellish 2.48 million on the Scoville scale, dwarfing its nearest competitor, the Carolina Reaper, which comes in at 2.2 million. (For reference, military-grade pepper spray comes in at a casual 2 million.)

Can spicy food damage your tongue?

Can spicy food damage your tongue?

No, not when you ingest the amounts we typically consume in food

. In fact, when you eat spicy food, you’re not burning your tongue at all—you’re a victim of a neurological response.

Can spicy food burn a hole in your stomach?

But the signature heat that it creates can also impact more than just your taste buds. Spicy foods used to take much of the blame for causing peptic ulcers, which are sores in the lining of your stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) that create a dull or burning pain.

What’s worse than a ghost pepper?

Ghost Pepper v.s.

Carolina Reaper

As hot as the Ghost pepper is, the Carolina Reaper has more than double the spice of the ghost pepper at its hottest. The ghost pepper tops out at 1,041,427 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and the Carolina Reaper can reach up to 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

Can you smoke ghost peppers?

Make sure the peppers don’t touch each other so that air can circulate around them.

Smoke ghost peppers on a smoker for 10-20 minutes

. Just keep an eye on them so that they don’t get too charred. Remove as many seeds and stems from the ghost peppers as you can.

Can you touch a ghost pepper?


The oils alone of the ghost pepper can cause extreme chili burn from one simple touch

. It’s so strong that just being near them can cause eye irritation. After handling – even with gloves – wash your hands thoroughly. It’s best to be as protective as possible.

Why are hot peppers healthy?

Fiery peppers pack major health perks. In terms of

vitamin C, they beat oranges 3 to 1

. They’re also stuffed with vitamins A, B, and E. Some studies suggest capsaicin acts as an antioxidant to protect your cells and helps tamp down inflammation.

Is spicy food good for your immune system?


It Can Improve Your Immune System

They often contain a healthy dose of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which help to support a healthy immune system. Spicy foods also have antibacterial qualities, helping you to fend off any budding infections in your digestive system.

Are hot peppers good for your colon?

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that

dietary capsaicin — the active ingredient in chili peppers — produces chronic activation of a receptor on cells lining the intestines of mice, triggering a reaction that ultimately reduces the risk of colorectal tumors

.

What is hotter than a ghost pepper?

The ghost pepper tips the Scoville scale at a walloping 855,000 to 1,041,427 Scoville heat units. The

Carolina Reaper

eclipses it at 1,400,000 to 2,200,000 SHU.

What is the deadliest pepper?


Carolina Reaper

2,200,000 SHU

The Carolina Reaper is once again officially the Worlds Hottest Pepper. Originally ranked as world’s hottest in 2013, the Reaper was tested again in 2018 with an even higher SHU. (71,000 SHU higher to be exact) This gives the reaper a renewed title as World’s Hottest!

How do you eat a ghost pepper?

If you can handle the spice, you can enjoy Ghost Peppers with your favorite foods.

Chop it up and add to fish sauce dipping sauce, marinades, salsas and stir-fries

. Make a wickedly good Chili Sauce / Hot Sauce (Tuong Ot). Pickled Ghost Peppers are awesome too.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.