Health: Eating Hot Peppers May Reduce Risk Of Premature Death Of A NEIGHBORHOOD, Study Finds

The risk of premature death – including cancer or cardiovascular disease – is reduced by about a quarter in those who eat chili peppers, according to a study.

American researchers have found that the anti-inflammatory properties of capsaicin – the compound that gives peppers their fiery taste – can have great health benefits.

These include both fighting tumors and inflammation and helping the body to control its blood sugar.

The “ quite remarkable ” results came after the team analyzed the health and nutrition records of more than 570,000 people around the world.

However, the researchers noted that more studies will be needed to determine which varieties of chili peppers confer protection and how often to consume them.

“Regular consumption of chili peppers has been associated with an overall reduction in risk from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality,” said study leader and cardiologist Bo Xu of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

In their study, the researchers combined data from four previous health studies conducted in China, Iran, Italy, and the United States.

This finding, added Dr Xu, “highlights that dietary factors can play an important role in overall health.”

The team believe capsaicin – an antioxidant – may help fight inflammation and tumors as well as control blood sugar levels, thus protecting both diabetes and obesity.

“I think the results are really quite remarkable, actually,” said nutritionist Penny Kris-Etherton of the American Heart Association and Pennsylvania State University.

“There were associations with several different diseases and parameters,” she added.

“The authors found benefits of red pepper consumption on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cancer mortality.

Experiments in mice have shown that capsaicin stimulates the “good” bacteria in the gut that defend against weight gain by burning fat.

In view of this, the fiery compound could possibly be used as the basis of an “anti-obesity” pill.

Previous studies have also indicated that consuming chili peppers lowers the risk of many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

“The exact reasons and mechanisms that could explain our findings, however, are currently unknown,” Dr Xu said.

“ Therefore, it is impossible to say conclusively that eating more chili peppers can prolong life and reduce redead, especially cardiovascular factors or cancer.

The studies the team reviewed included only limited health data from their subjects, noted Dr. Xu, and could have included other factors that influenced the results.

Additionally, the amount of hot peppers consumed – as well as the particular varieties consumed – varied between participants in different studies, making it difficult to determine exactly what the optimal diet for the fruit might be.

“More research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed to confirm these preliminary results,” Dr. Xu warned.

Hot peppers have evolved capsaicin – which triggers a painful reaction – to protect itself from being eaten by mammals, including humans.

Birds, on the other hand, which are needed to help disperse the seeds of peppers, lack the oral receptors to smell the fruit burn, so don’t experience the same fiery reaction.

A 2017 study of more than 16,000 Americans, followed for nearly two decades, found that those who ate a lot of peppers were 13% less likely to die prematurely.

Last year, a study of 22,000 Italians found that those who ate chili peppers every other day were 23% less likely to die young – in particular, this also reduced the risk of being killed by a stroke or a heart attack of 61 and 40%, respectively.

According to Cancer Research UK, eating a healthier diet could help prevent about one in twenty cancers.

The organization recommended a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fresh chicken, fish and legumes and low in processed and red meat, fatty and sugary foods, carbonated drinks and alcohol.

The British Heart Foundation also recommends eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fish to keep your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure levels healthy.

Hot peppers are a staple in cuisines around the world – including Indian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, and Italian – and are eaten by a quarter of the world’s population every day.

The researchers presented their preliminary results at a virtual meeting of the American Heart Association.