Crack out the chili peppers – a new study from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests that eating greater amounts of spicy food may actually lengthen your life.
The large-scale survey, which included nearly half a million people, found that those who ate spicy food – generally, in the form of chili peppers – more than once a week had a reduced overall risk of death. Over the study’s seven-year research period, participants also had a lessened threat of death from certain diseases, including cancer and ischemic heart disease.
Although cause-and-effect can’t be shown in a study of this scale, there’s good evidence that some of the compounds in chili peppers, namely capsaicin, have some important health benefits and may be at the root of the correlation.
“Spicy food or its active components have been related to improved inflammation, reduced body adiposity, or improved lipid profiles,” says study author Lu Qi. “In addition, spicy foods may also affect gut bacteria which has been related to various chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.”
However, says Qi, more studies are needed to clarify the study’s results. Still, it might be a good idea to load up your plate with spicy foods a couple times a week – your gut will thank you for it.
For more on the study, visit the BMJ’s website here.
