Pain relieving properties of peppers, diabetics, How to use peppers

It's more than a little ironic: The compound that gives peppers their burn -- capsaicin -- can actually relieve the burning from nerve pain.

Available in a cream, capsaicin can relieve neuropathy sometimes experienced by people with type 2 diabetes. It's used therapeutically to reduce pain from the nerves by sending an impulse back up the nervous system that gets rid of the painful stimulus.

Studies show that capsaicin is also effective in reducing the pain of osteoarthritisand psoriasis. Some apply capsaicin topical creams on the forehead for headaches, as well.

Tips to include pepper in your diet

It's easy to include peppers in your diet. You can grill, stuff, steam, bake, and stir-fry them. Many peppers are also delicious raw, simply chopped as a crunchy complement for dips or cottage cheese.

Spicy peppers are an acquired taste.   So go slow and small at first - discarding the veins and seeds, which are the hottest part of the pepper. But keep adding peppers so your food is not so bland. Jalapeños, green chilies, red salsas -- do a variety to get a mixture of phytochemicals in your diet.

Here are a few suggestions from Perdermo for adding spicy peppers to your diet.

Chop up peppers and put in sauces and add to noodles.

• Make a salsa with mild peppers and add it to tacos or rice and beans.
• Add to guacamole. Start with half a jalapeño.
• Toss peppers into chicken soup to give it a little kick.
• Roast poblano peppers on the grill. Peel off the blackened part, removing the seeds and some of the veins. Combine with roasted tomatoes, garlic, and cilantro in a blender.

When you're ready, move on to spicier peppers, such as serranos.

Also popular and easy are ready-to-eat hot pepper sauces. You can make these and homemade sauces a side dish to meals, not just a dip for chips, says Perdermo.

Other ideas: Add chopped bell peppers to tuna or chicken salad. Steam cored bell peppers, stuff them with rice salad, and bake. The possibilities are practically limitless.