Researchers said some of the bioactive ingredients are likely to drive this association, adding that fresh chili is richer in capsaicin, vitamin C, and other nutrients.
Advertisement
Qi and his colleagues published their findings in the August 4 online edition of BMJ. The study had not included those who had a history of diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.
Using self-reported questionnaires, they analyzed the spicy food consumption of almost half a million people between the ages of 30 and 70 across 10 regions in China.
Study author Lu Qi of Harvard tells Time, “We know something about the beneficial effects of spicy foods basically from animal studies and very small-sized human studies”.
Eating spicy food daily may actually be good for you.
“I could see it happening”, said a young lady who replied her favorite spicy food is crawfish. In recent years, worldwide consumption of hot spices has grown dramatically, fueled by the popularity of Mexican salsas, Thai and Indian curries and the like.
Compared with participants who ate spicy foods less than once a week, those who consumed spicy foods 1 or 2 days a week were at a 10 per cent reduced risk of death.
They then reviewed the records of 20,224 people who died over a seven-year of the follow-up period. As a result, experts emphasize the need for more research before a connection between these ingredients can be scientifically established. Spice up that entrée and extend your lifespan-win and win. According to scientists, capsaicin – the crystalline compound which flavors chili peppers (however, being highly irritating to skin and mucous membranes) – has the effect of fighting illnesses and other health-related issues such as: obesity, cancer, high blood pressure and inflammation.
Advertisement
While people cannot yet call eating spicy food a guaranteed tip for longer life, a balanced diet (not a diet made purely of spices!) is still your best bet in lowering risks of premature death. Frequent consumption of spicy foods was also linked to a lower risk of death from specific conditions: cancer, ischaemic heart and respiratory system diseases. Consuming these other spices may also result in health benefits, independent of chilies. “More studies are definitely needed to clarify the mechanisms”.
