Hot spices have a preservative action that delays food spoilage, but claims that they can act as antibiotics in the digestive tract and help to prevent infectious diarrhea and related ills have not been scientifically substantiated.
Nutritionally, capsicum peppers, both sweet and hot, do have something important to offer: large amounts of vitamin C. In fact, ounce for ounce, peppers have two and a half times more vitamin C than oranges. They are also good sources of vitamin A (which may account for the claim that they help prevent night blindness) and potassium and contain some iron and protein. At the same time, they are very low in fat and calories: 22 calories in three and a half ounces.
As a further nutritional benefit, peppery seasonings are a tastebud- stimulating alternative to salt, the abuse of which can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.