Eating plenty of plants makes up a big part of living a Paleo lifestyle, even if they do make your mouth feel like it’s on fire. This includes Jalapeno peppers, as well as the full range of spicy peppers. Peppers generally come packed with vitamins, particularly B and C, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron, all of which are vital nutrients. They also tend to be a significant source of anti-oxidants and may have some anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory foods are always a good idea in a world where we are loaded with stress and various toxins that promote inflammation and make us sick.
Paleo and Auto-Immune Protocol
These anti-inflammatory properties might not work in everyone, though. Peppers are a member of the nightshade family and some people are sensitive to nightshades, leading to digestive issues and inflammation. The best way to determine if you are sensitive to nightshades is to eliminate them from your diet for at least a month, slowly reintroduce them, and note their effect on how you feel. If you feel fine, then peppers can be included as a healthy part of your diet. If you notice that they start to make you feel less than great, you might want to stay away from them.
If you do decide to include peppers in your diet, Mark Sisson has a guide to peppers, giving their Scoville rating for each pepper and where you can usually find them.
