Regularly eating chili peppers can help prolong people’s lives before they can get unrecognized health benefits.
According to preliminary research from the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, which will be presented this week in 2020, chili eaters may have a “significantly lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer.”
While previous research has shown that capsaicin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antisensor and blood glucose regulation effects due to capsaicin intake – which gives chili its particularly hot taste, the first study to compare reported consumption of chili with this disease is mortality.
To evaluate the effects of chili peppers on longevity, researchers conducted 4,729 studies from five leading global health databases, these were: Ovid, Cochrane, Medline, Embez and Scopus.
This includes four large studies that specifically included the health outcomes of participants with chili pepper consumption data.
This provided the research team with health and dietary records of more than 570,000 individuals in the United States, Italy, China and Iran, which allowed them to compare the results of those who consumed chili, who rarely or never ate.
Compared to people who “rarely” or “never” eat chili, the analysis found people who did:
- 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality
- A 23 percent related reduction in cancer mortality
- 25% relative reduction in overall mortality
“We are surprised to learn that in this previously published study, regular consumption of chili peppers is associated with an overall risk-reduction for all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality,” said Bo Xu, senior author, Cardiologist, Cleveland Clinic. Heart, vascular and thoracic institution in Cleveland, Ohio.
“It highlights that dietary factors can play an important role in overall health,” he said.
But Dr. Xu warned: “The exact causes and methods that may 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 mortality, especially from cardiovascular factors or cancer.
To confirm these preliminary findings, further research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed. “
Dr. Xu also warned that there are many limitations to this type of study. The four studies reviewed included limited specific health data on individuals or other factors that may influence the findings.
The researchers also noted that the use and dosage of chili peppers was varied in the study, making it difficult to draw conclusions about how many types of chili peppers and how many types of chili peppers may be associated with health benefits.
The research team said they are continuing to analyze their data and aim to publish the full paper at the right time.
