Chilli peppers aren’t just good for adding that special flavour to a long list of meals, but seem to be beneficial for our health and can help us live longer, according to a new study.
The research team from the Ohio Cleveland Clinic review health records of more than 57,000 individuals from 4 larger studies and concluded that the people who consumed chilli peppers regularly had reduced risk from heart-related conditions by 26 percent, from cancer by 23%, and from all-cause mortality by 25% when compared to the ones who rarely or never consumed them.
Could Chilli Peppers in Our Diet Prolong Our Life?
These findings are important and could influence the percent of people with cancer and heart illness.
Unfortunately, according to the American Heart Association report from 2019, 48 percent or 121.5 million adults in America suffered from cardiovascular problems.
And, the 2020 statistics also shows this disease as the leading cause of death and taking more lives than chronic respiratory disease and all cancer forms together.
Of course, chilli peppers aren’t the answer for optimal health and longevity; however, they can help you make an improvement in your diet.
Why Are Chilli Peppers Good for Us?
According to the researchers’ hypothesis, chilli peppers’ power lies in their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancerous, and blood glucose regulating effects. All of these properties play a role in your risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
And, the compound which is the key is capsaicin-the one in chilli peppers that’s responsible for the hot kick.
Chilli pepper is a fruit pod from the nightshade family with other members being tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, paprika, and cayenne pepper. The seeds are the richest in capsaicin and the peppers who contain it are hotter and spicier.
Although it’s odourless and colourless, it tricks our brain into perceiving heat when it touches the body. We experience a burning sensation when we eat the pepper. The compound stimulates our nerves which send warmth and intense stimulation to our brains.
Despite being healthy, eating them in excess can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, as well as a burning sensation in the GI.
Therefore, balance is a must.
Capsaicin may also Help You Shed Pounds?
Capsaicin was found to be helpful in reducing the appetite in some studies.
Actually, in one published in the European Journal of Nutrition, it successfully lowered the ghrelin production, a hormone that’s in charge for triggering hunger, 15 minutes after a meal.
In a different study, after 12 weeks of supplementation with capsaicin, the participants ate less and experienced reduction in their waist-to-hip ratio.
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