Turning up the heat with chile peppers can help you crank up the antioxidants. Capsaicin is the powerful compound in peppers that gives chiles their heat. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin (and antioxidants!) you'll find. Cayenne or ground red pepper contains the most. Yet all red peppers – including chili powder and the milder paprika – are surprisingly good sources of antioxidants.

If you're trying to eat less, red pepper might help. Some studies have shown that when people added red pepper to their food they ate fewer calories during that meal – and even during the next meal. It seems that capsaicin helps increase satiety, or a feeling of fullness.

Beyond helping you control your appetite, initial findings of some studies indicate that spicing up your meal with cayenne, chili powder and paprika can help boost your metabolism. Even milder, sweet red peppers have been found to increase calorie burning.

Here are some easy ways you can enjoy more antioxidant-rich red peppers:

• Sprinkle store-bought or homemade hummus or guacamole with Paprika. Or, add a kick by stirring in ¼ teaspoon Ground Red Pepper or Crushed Red Pepper.
• Mix up your own spiced salt by mixing 2 tablespoons Sea Salt, 2 teaspoons Paprika, ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin and a pinch of Ground Red Pepper. Sprinkle over grilled or roasted meat, fish and poultry.
• Serve bread with olive oil like it's done in an Italian restaurant. Mix ¼ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1/8 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper and sea salt to taste in small shallow dish.

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