People who regularly eat chili are living longer, research suggests

A new study suggests that eating chili peppers regularly could provide previously unrecognized health benefits, helping to extend people’s lives.

According to preliminary research to be presented this week at the American Heart Association’s 2020 scientific sessions, chilli consumers could have a “significantly reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer.”

While previous research has found that consuming chili peppers has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and blood glucose-regulating effect due to capsaicin, which gives the pepper its distinctive tangy flavor, the study is the first large-scale effort to compare. the reported consumption of chili peppers with the disease mortality.

In order to evaluate the effects of chili on longevity, the researchers looked at 4,729 studies from five major global health databases, these were: Ovid, Cochrane, Medline, Embase, and Scopus.

These included four large studies that specifically included health outcomes for participants with data on chili consumption.

This provided the research team with the health and dietary records of over 570,000 people in the United States, Italy, China and Iran, which allowed them to compare the results of those who consumed chillies with those who rarely or never ate them. .

Compared to those who “rarely” or “never” ate chillies, the analysis found that people who ate them had:

“We were surprised to find that in these previously published studies, regular pepper consumption was associated with an overall risk reduction from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality,” said senior author Bo Xu, cardiologist. of the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute in Cleveland, Ohio.

“It emphasizes that dietary factors can play an important role in overall health,” he said.

But Dr Xu warned, “The exact reasons and mechanisms that might explain our findings, however, are currently unknown.”

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

“More research, particularly evidence from randomized controlled trials, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.”

Dr. Xu also cautioned that there are several limitations to this type of study. The four studies reviewed included limited specific health data on individuals or other factors that may have influenced the results.

The researchers also noted that the amount and type of chili consumed varied between studies, making it difficult to draw conclusions on exactly how much, how often and what type of chili consumption may be associated with health benefits.

The research team said they are continuing to analyze their data and aim to publish a full document in due course.