Red Vs Green Chilli? Know Which Is Better For Your Health

It’s a well-known fact that Indian cuisine uses a variety of flavourful ingredients, which give the food a rich taste. Our savoury dishes, especially curries, cannot be imagined without the use of a lot of spices and herbs. But the most popular way to add spice to Indian food is through chillies. They are an integral part of cooking and are also beneficial for health. Green and red chillies are the two types that are commonly found in Indian kitchens. But which one of them is healthier? 

Both of them have a distinct taste and are used in a variety of dishes. Sometimes they are also used as each other's substitutes when one of them is not available in our pantry. Red chillies are basically the green ones, which have dried and lost all their water content. They are comparatively spicier or hotter than green chillies.

Benefits Of Green Chillies 

• Green chillies are beneficial for managing blood sugar levels, which reduces the risk of diabetes. 
• According to TheHealthSite, consuming green chillies daily helps improve the functioning of the digestive system. 
• As mentioned earlier, green chillies are rich in vitamins C and E, which help maintain healthy and glowing skin. 
• According to Onlymyhealth, the beta-carotene found in fresh green chillies helps in the smooth functioning of the cardiovascular system. 

Benefits Of Red Chillies 

• Red chillies contain an ideal amount of iron, which improves blood circulation. 
• According to PharmEasy, red chilli is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may be useful for reducing swelling. 
• Just like green chilles, it also helps in lowering blood sugar, which is beneficial for managing diabetes. 

Which One Of Them Is Healthier? 

Both of them have similar properties, but as far as chilli powders are being used, consuming fresh green chillies may be more suitable than red chilli powders as the chilli powders available on the market are adulterated. If you experience frequent digestive issues, then red chillies should be avoided.

Also, green chillies have some water content and no calories, which makes them a suitable choice for raw consumption as well as cooking. They may also help with weight loss. According to TheHealthSite, green chillies are richer in beta-carotene, antioxidants, and endorphins as compared to red chillies. Red chillies are also considered a cause of peptic ulcers.

Talking about their uses in cooking, both can be added to all kinds of savoury and spicy dishes. But green chillies are used to keep the flavour a little mild. They are perfect for light soups and salads. While red chillies are added for a hot flavour and are sprinkled over chaats, dahi vada, and non-vegetarian curries, they are also preferred for tempering dal and kadhi. Bottom line, consuming both of them is fine, but make sure to use them in moderation as their excessive addition to food can have a negative impact on your health, including on your stomach, liver, and kidneys.