It’s practically the weekend so time to indulge in all things naughty (namely clothes & food in my case!). Like fashion, food is one of life’s guilty little pleasures. That’s why I always like to hear good news about the food I love being healthy in oh so many ways. Chillis are one my culinary passions, there’s not much I don’t eat without a healthy dose added to the mix. It appears I’m not alone -stats show how a staggering 98% of us now add spice to our food on a regular basis.

So because it’s Friday and time for a little randomness, here’s some fabulous chilli facts from the lovely peeps at Nando’s (yum!) as part of the New National Chilli Week.

· Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not the seeds that are the hottest part of a chilli, but the white pith that surrounds them and runs in thick veins through the pod

· Drinking milk or placing a spoonful of yoghurt in your mouth is the best way to relieve the burning sensation of chilli – water will just spread the capsaicin oil around

· Chillies can help fight off winter colds and eating them releases endorphins that helps lift the spirits

· Chillis are packed with vitamins and can help reduce cholesterol

· Chilli contains such high levels of Vitamin D that some athletes eat them prior to exercising to reduce the risk of injury

· Capsaicin, which apart from giving chillis their fiery flavour, is an effective painkiller, blocking pain signals to the brain

· The alkaloids from the capsaicin stimulate the action of stomach and intestine improving the whole digestion process.

· Today there are approx 400 different chillis grown, and are now one of the most widely cultivated crops.

So there you have it, if ever you needed an excuse after a hard day’s shopping to treat yourself to something spicey…sure it would be rude not to!

The New National Chilli Week is taking place all this week until Sunday, 29th.