Dongxihu Chili

Dongxihu Chili

　　Dongxihu chili is the most famous vegetable specialty in Wuhan. People often say, “Peanuts from Huangpi, chilies from Dongxihu.” Dongxihu exports thousands of tons of chili peppers every year.

Red chili is a natural decongestant and an expectorant cough remedy that helps clear congestion and sinusitis, which is a common characteristic of all spicy foods. Professor Irwin Ziment of the University of California points out that the effect of red chili is similar to over-the-counter cold medicine used to treat respiratory illnesses. The reason why red chili is so effective at clearing nasal congestion lies in the plant chemical compound called capsaicin, which gives the tongue its spicy sensation.

Professor Ziment explains that eating red chili has a more intense impact than taking cold medicine, mainly because when red chili comes into contact with the tongue, the brain receives strong signals from the mouth and tongue. This stimulates the respiratory tract’s endocrine glands to produce secretions in response. As a result, the secretions surge, causing the eyes to water, the nose to run, and the mucus in the lungs to be cleared.

The more red chili you include in your diet, the better your body can combat aging, as they are rich sources of the antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene. These antioxidants protect the body by neutralizing free radicals—harmful molecules that naturally accumulate in the body and damage cells. Researchers indicate that consuming more antioxidant vitamins can help prevent diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and arthritis.