Women's Health, Independent & British Heart Foundation are lauding the benefits of eating chilli peppers. They can't all be wrong, can they?

When it comes to chilli peppers or spicy food, there are a number of camps at play. There are those who want the heat slow like they're simmering by the fire on a Sunday afternoon, or those who want a healthy helping of character building spiciness and then there are the chilli freaks who want it so hot, they might need to drench their entire body in a cold bath afterwards.

Which ever way, you take it or don't take it, there's no denying the fact that, gone are the days when Nando's was as hot as we thought it could get or the fact that UK palates are getting increasingly adventurous. Proof of this is in the rising demand for international cuisines including authentic dishes from around the world, a trend which is set to boost the global hot sauce market to an estimated $5.8bn by 2025! That's just 4 years away. One would be wise to catch up with that trend.

Aside from the obvious advantages of new ways to delight the customer and benefits to the bottom line, there are other previously unrecognised health benefits of eating spicy foods, specifically chilli peppers which would be worth while for retailers and consumers to know. Giant publications like Women's Health and Independent would not throw their weight behind just any claim, so it was with great delight that we read both articles sharing the good news we'd known for years. This is by no means an exhaustive list of benefits and is compiled with the knowledge that there are some for whom spicy foods will not work for gastro, preference or other reasons.

1. Boosts Metabolism: Capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers can help boost metabolism as part of a healthy diet. For those with lower spice tolerance levels, this compound is also found in turmeric and cumin. The spiciness causes one to drink more water which will in turn help ease constipation and get things moving.
2. May Fight Inflammatory Disease: We know inflammation is at the root of a number of serious illnesses. Capsaicin has considerable anti-inflammatory properties which could help in combating inflammatory diseases such as cancer, sinusitis etc.
3. May Bring Spice To Your Libido: A recent study from the Physiology and Behaviour journal confirms that eating spicy leads to higher levels of testosterone, testosterone being the hormone tied to libido. So, if you are looking for someone who can keep up or just asking for a friend😉, here's an idea for you. This one made me chuckle actually...the number of times fans of our chilli oils have fessed up to this🥰
4. Helps Fight Fungal Infections, Colds etc: While keeping your levels of Vitamin C up is one sure way of warding off the flu, chilli peppers are known to contain antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that protect against bacteria in the body.
5. Supports Cardiovascular Health: Now this is a significant one. According to the British Heart Foundation, people who eat chilli up to 4 times per week were 44 per cent less likely to die from coronary heart disease and 61 per cent less likely to die of a stroke.
6. May Boost Your Mood: In response to the burning sensation brought on by Capsaicin,  the brain releases endorphins and dopamine via the the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Combined, these chemicals create euphoria similar to "runner's high" which helps boost mood and alleviate depression.

Whilst UK producers are catching up in this rapidly growing market sector, there is ample room for more collaboration between chilli product brands and retail outlets. More to that, there are so many taste, product form and heat range preferences to cater to in order to keep the heat seeking customers suitably spiced up. Shelf space is at an all time premium, that's a given, coupled with the combination of health considerations and issues of choice at play, merchandisers / ambient food buyers have a bit of a job on their hands choosing products which fit the relevant bills.

Customers are now more savvy than ever, therefore any product they choose to grant access to their bodies will need to tick a few key boxes. A brand such as Etinde House Company (Eh-Co) utilise only the best of premium ingredients to produce natural, delicious, vegan friendly and low calorie chilli products. Started in 2018 from a 20-yr old family recipe in honour of my late dad, a portion of each purchase goes to empower small-scale farmers to attain secure and sustainable livelihoods and raise prostate cancer awareness amongst men in disadvantaged parts of Cameroon.

Eh-Co has a range of chilli products available; chilli oil (our flagship) comes in three sizes & three flavours. We also have four hot sauce flavours, three chilli paste flavours, spice rubs and six coconut snack flavours, one of which is savoury chilli. With ingredients like extra virgin, cold pressed Rapeseed oil, great taste without any additives, artificial flavouring or preservatives, you can tell there's something for the requirements and values of plenty seekers of spice.

As our customers will happily tell you, not one of our products is just a pretty face either. We poured our heart and soul not just into product packaging, but also into a flavour range which will speak of our heritage & the soulfulness of Cameroonian cuisine. So, if you are looking for ways bring growth to your bottom line by delighting shoppers in new ways, why not consider talking to us, a challenger brand that is sure to tick the boxes for so many of your customers.