Deggi mirch, a distinctive Indian spice made from a blend of colourful red capsicums and Kashmiri red chillies, adds a mild heat and a deep red-orange colour to soups, tandoori chicken and other traditional dishes. In the north of India, it is liberally added to chicken and vegetable curries and dhals as well as naan and paratha breads. While in the Southern states, it is often used in kebabs, adding colour and flavour to rice, dhals – particularly sambhars – soups and stews. It is often combined with garam masala to flavor thick soups and biryanis.

Benefits

1. Aids in Digestion
Apart from exciting the palate, cayenne pepper also stimulates the production of various gastric juices and enzymes in the digestive tract, thus aiding digestion. It also helps in soothing intestinal gas problems. Dr. Shikha Sharma, a Delhi-based nutritionist and the founder of NutriHealth, advocates the use of cayenne pepper in our food to push for a healthy metabolic system
2. Detox Power
Cayenne pepper stimulates the circulatory system. If had with a glass of warm water and fresh lemon juice in the mornings, it helps the body detoxify itself. It increases the body temperature, giving a kickstart to our metabolism. Another benefit of this early-morning drink is regulation of blood sugar levels

3. Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal and Anti-irritant
This hot ingredient is also said to aid an upset stomach, and those suffering from ulcers. What’s more? Cayenne pepper acts as the body’s shield against allergens and can prevent migraine attacks. The gut has both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. Cayenne pepper keeps the gut healthy by maintaining an optimum pH balance that hinders the growth of the microbes in the gut.

4. Can Prevent Cancer
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, found that the compound responsible for chilli’s heat has the power to kill prostate cancer cells. The findings suggest that with further research, the compound capsaicin found in cayenne pepper could one day be used to develop effective anti-cancer drugs in the form of an injection or pill.

5. Helps Nurse a Cold
As consumption of cayenne pepper raises the temperature of the body, it helps to decongest mucus and thus gives relief from cold and flu discomfort. A light sprinkling in a steaming bowl of healthy vegetable soup can go a long way to fight that pesky flu. Besides, it also has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a natural pain killer. It is also used as one of the components in topical pain relieving ointments and creams.
6. Protects the Heart
Most often heart attacks are caused due to blocked blood vessels. Not only does cayenne pepper help in regulating blood pressure levels, it also prevents the clotting of blood if consumed in optimal quantities on a daily-basis.

7. Good for Weight Loss
This wondrous spice starts working its magic even before reaching the stomach, ie in the mouth itself. It stimulates the production of saliva, which is great for digestion, and teeth and gum health. Moreover, it is said to aid in weight loss. Here too, the compound capsaicin plays a role where it helps in burning calories and curbs the appetite, if consumed regularly along with other beneficial ingredients.