Chili Peppers Can Extend Life

(Photo : Jill Wellington)

Spicy and savory when included in some dishes. Chili pepper's charisma makes one either dislike or love its spiciness. But research that focused on the health records of half-a-million people across countries such as the United States, Italy, Iran, and China, found out that those who ate chili peppers diminished 25 percent of their risk of all-cause mortality.

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Led by Cleveland Clinic's Heart, vascular, and Thoracic Institute in Ohio, the clinic's cardiologist Bo Xu M.D. told BBC that their study is not powered to answer questions such as what exact type, and how much should an individual eat because that point varies in across different studies. Science Direct said that previous studies showed that chili peppers have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and blood sugar-regulating effects because of capsaicin which makes the chilies spicy when eaten. Dr. Xu furthered that capsaicin is a true and consistent chemical that might be facilitating a lot of potential health benefits.

According to Science Daily, the researchers analyzed a total of 4,729 studies from five leading global databases, then have a final analysis of four large studies that incorporated health outcomes from people with data on chili pepper consumption. They furthered that the records of 570, 000 individuals from the United States, Iran, Italy, and China were compared to the results of the respondents who are not or rarely eaten chili peppers. Results show that people with regular consumption of chili peppers have a 26 percent reduction in cardiovascular mortality, 25% less in all causes of mortality, and a 23 percent reduction in cancer mortality.

In an interview, Dr. Xu said that they were surprised to discover that regular consumption of chili peppers was connected to an overall risk-reduction of cancer, and cardiovascular mortality. He furthered that diet and lifestyle factors might play an important role in overall health. Dr. Xu highlights that the reasons and mechanisms might explain their findings are currently unknown that is why it is still premature to say that consuming more chili peppers can prolong life and reduce deaths especially the ones associated with cancer and heart disease. He emphasized that more research and pieces of evidence are needed to validate the preliminary findings.

Benefits of Chili Peppers

Although it is still early to say that chili peppers will save humanity against the mentioned chronic diseases, chili peppers have benefits that can help you and your body in performing well in your daily activities. Although usually used in the kitchen as enhancers to your meal's flavor, Healthline said that chili peppers have nutritional value.

Chili peppers are rich in vitamin C, which is important in healing and immune function. They added that this spicy fellow has copper which is an essential trace element important for the bones and healthy neurons. Conserve Energy Future added that chili peppers improve digestive health because it is rich in and other compounds that can soothe other digestive issues like upset stomach, diarrhea, cramps, and intestinal gas.

Chili peppers are a bit spicy and pungent to the taste, however, it has many benefits that can help your body. According to an interview with Dr. Xu, he encouraged people who enjoy spicy food to continue their chili peppers consumption. However, for people who do not, he hopes that the data in their study will bring them to try them and incorporate into their diet.

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