Paprika...the other red spice.

[Nervosia]

What are the effects of Paprika? I've been putting large amounts in my favorite chicken dish...is this considered a sweet spice?

[cypressgirl]

Re: Paprika...the other red spice.

There is 3.85 total carbs (- 1.44 fiber) and 2.41 net carbs per tablespoon.

Apparently there are benefits:


Uses
Although capsicum may cause heartburn for many individuals, its most common oral use is to treat digestive complaints such as colic, gas, indigestion, and poor appetite. Chemicals in capsicum have been shown to increase not only the amount of acid the stomach produces, but also the blood flow in the lining of the stomach and intestines. Both these effects may improve digestion, but they may also irritate the stomach.

In folk medicine, oral capsicum has been used for relieving colds, fever, and headaches. Because it causes the eyes and nose to run, it may indeed help to relieve congestion and associated headaches. Recently, several studies in animals and a few studies in humans show that taking capsicum by mouth may increase the body's production of heat and energy for about a half hour after it is taken or eaten. This effect may make capsicum useful for treating obesity. Capsicum may also affect the breakdown of carbohydrates in the diet, thereby keeping blood sugar levels from fluctuating widely after meals. This effect may be beneficial in helping to control diabetes. None of these uses for capsicum have been proved by clinical research.

Capsicum contains several active ingredients, including oily substances called oleoresins. One of the main oleoresins, capsaicin, is used topically as a counterirritant. Substances that cause relatively minor surface irritation, counterirritants increase the flow of blood at the areas where they are applied, producing warmth on the skin surface and using up local supplies of a neurotransmitter known as substance P. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells. Substance P is responsible primarily for conducting pain signals. Because counterirritants such as capsicum reduce the amount of substance P, signals from more serious pain are interrupted. Topical capsaicin has been used to treat arthritis pain and it may also be useful for relieving pain from fibromyalgia and shingles. Some scientific evidence also supports its topical use for itching associated with conditions such as psoriasis, but this use is less common.

[Nervosia]

Re: Paprika...the other red spice.

Thanks so much. So no more Paprika in the chicken or the eggs.

[Moochiecat]

Re: Paprika...the other red spice.

There's no reason why you can't have it as far as I can see. Just count the carbs if you are using copious amounts.

[Richt]

Re: Paprika...the other red spice.

There's no reason why you can't have it as far as I can see. Just count the carbs if you are using copious amounts.

I totally agree with Moochiecat here. "copious amounts" Its all dependant on the amounts you use. I cant envisage Paprica something that you would want to include to much of in recipes, knowing that it has a tendancy to be quite hot.