Main image via CNN
Are you a fan of chili peppers? If not, you may want to start liking them!
A new US study has found that people who eat chili peppers may be less likely to die from heart disease or cancer and may live longer than those who don’t eat them.
While previous research found that eating chili peppers has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and blood-glucose regulating effect due to capsaicin, this is the first large-scale study to compare reported consumption of chili with disease mortality.
via GIPHY
Researchers screened over 4,000 studies from leading global health databases, and examined the records of more than 570,000 individuals from the US, Italy, China and Iran.
Here are the key findings from respondents who regularly consume chili peppers:
-
26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
-
23% relative reduction in cancer mortality
-
25% relative reduction in all-cause mortality.
“We were surprised to find that in these previously published studies, regular consumption of chili pepper was associated with an overall risk-reduction of all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality,” said senior author Dr Bo Xu, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute in Cleveland, Ohio.
However, he added that while there is data showing that chili pepper eaters appear to have lower risks of dying from a heart disease or cancer, it cannot be determined that the spicy plants are solely responsible or contribute to prolonged life.
He also pointed out that the amount and type of chili pepper consumed was a variable among the studies, making it difficult to draw conclusions about exactly how much, how often and which type of chili pepper consumption may be associated with health benefits.
The research team said they will continue to analyse their data and hope to publish a full paper real soon.
But in the meantime, don’t skip on the spice the next time you order out!
By Kyle Roshen Jacob
Info via Independent
Filled Under :
*We reserve the right to delete comments that contain inappropriate content.