The habanero pepper is one of the hottest varieties of chili peppers. The Scoville unit of measure is directly related to a chemical called capsaicin. The higher the number of Scoville units, the greater the concentration of capsaicin. The habanero pepper measures from 100,000 to 500,000 Scoville units compared with a jalapeno pepper, which measures 5,000 to 15,000 Scoville units. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, capsaicin can be used as a treatment for a variety of medical disorders. Because of the high concentration of capsaicin, consumption of habanero peppers can promote several health benefits.

1. Lower your cholesterol
Eating these terrifyingly tasty treats has been shown to lower bad cholesterol. In a 1985 study published in “Artery” it was shown that the capsaicin in habaneros reduced cholesterol in young female rabbits.

2. Reduce blood pressure
The capsaicin in habaneros also has been shown to also reduce high blood pressure. Apparently, capsaicin stimulates the increase of the insulin-like growth factor IGF-I which reduces blood pressure.

3. Fights weight gain
Can capsaicin help you control your weight? It sure can! Capsaicin increases thermogenesis throughout the body. The process of thermogenesis is what is involved in the raising and lowering of body temperature and if you increase that, you increase metabolism.

4. Cancer prevention
Because of the combinations of high content of vitamins C and A and capsaicin, this little pepper can prevent cancer in a big way by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells (particularly prostate) and by preventing the negative effects of free radicals.
Enough reasons to accept the dare of biting into a habanero pepper? Maybe you should start slow by adding a bit to your next taco. However you choose to eat the habanero, it may bring your tongue comfort to know that you are receiving multiple health benefits by eating the hot and healthy habanero.

Vitamin C

Habanero peppers contain a significant amount of vitamin C, many more times than a serving of citrus fruit. Vitamin C aids in wound healing and keeps your immune system strong and functioning normally. This water-soluble vitamin is an antioxidant that rids your body of damaging free radicals, compounds that can cause heart disease and certain types of cancer. Unripe green habaneros contain the most vitamin C, but ripe ones supply a generous dose as well.

Diabetes Prevention

Habanero peppers get their fiery kick from capsaicin, a compound that causes a burning sensation by activating pain receptors in the throat, nose and mouth. A 2006 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that the capsaicin consumed in chili peppers appeared to regulate insulin levels following a meal, especially for study subjects who were overweight. Since post-meal insulin spikes often lead to Type 2 diabetes, the researchers concluded that regularly eating chili peppers may decrease diabetes risk. As one of the hottest chili peppers available, habaneros contain more capsaicin than most other peppers. More research is needed, but habanero consumption may help diabetics control their insulin levels.

Decreased Cancer Risk

The capsaicin in habaneros may also prevent cancer. In the laboratory, scientists have demonstrated that capsaicin can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells, and may protect cells from becoming cancerous. In addition, habaneros contain significant amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A, both of which act as antioxidants, compounds that may decrease the risk of cancer by inhibiting the DNA-damaging effects of free radicals. Each half-cup serving of habanero peppers provides 300 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, and 20 percent of the RDA of vitamin A.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong report that laboratory hamsters fed a high-cholesterol diet had higher LDL, or bad, cholesterol levels and more cholesterol-related arterial plaques than hamsters who were fed the same diet, but supplemented with capsaicin. The scientists hypothesized that eating chili peppers such as habaneros may lower cholesterol and decrease cardiovascular disease risk, but warned that additional studies and clinical trials were necessary.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Capsaicin acts an anti-inflammatory agent within the body, and can help treat the symptoms of inflammation-based conditions like arthritis and headaches. Capsaicin inhibits the production of Substance P, a compound that is responsible for the swelling and pain associated with inflammation. The capsaicin in habanero peppers may also be able to block the activity of nuclear transcription factors which can trigger inflammatory reactions that may lead to premature aging and cancer.