Eating hot red chili peppers may help you live longer
10/01/2021 / By Joanne Washburn / Comments
Eating hot red chili peppers may help you live longer

If you’re a fan of spicy foods, then you’re in luck. A study by researchers from the University of Vermont found that eating red chili peppers may help you live longer. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, involved over 16,000 participants. The researchers followed them for 23 years and studied their eating habits.

They found that subjects who said they regularly ate “hot red chili peppers” had lower total cholesterol and lower rates of high blood pressure than those who didn’t eat chili peppers at all.

Subjects who ate chili peppers also tended to eat more vegetables and meats than subjects who didn’t eat them. However, the researchers found that those who ate chili peppers were also more likely to smoke and drink.

But even after adjusting for those factors and other lifestyle choices, the researchers found that people who frequently ate chili peppers had a total mortality rate of 21.6 percent. Meanwhile, those who didn’t eat chili peppers had a total mortality rate of 33.6 percent – a 12 percent difference.

The researchers didn’t delve into the mechanisms by which the peppers confer their benefits, but the study offers encouraging findings nonetheless.

Experts have also long since attributed most of the benefits of chili peppers to capsaicin, a powerful compound that gives the peppers their kick. Capsaicin has shown remarkable antioxidant activity and has anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties.

Chili peppers linked to lower risk of dying of a heart attack

Another recent study indicated that eating chili peppers often can reduce your risk of mortality by up to 23 percent, as well as lower your risk of dying of a heart attack by 40 percent.

The study, which was conducted by researchers from Italy, involved over 22,800 people from the region of Molise in south-central Italy. The researchers followed them for eight years and studied their eating habits.

They found that people who ate chili peppers often enjoyed a 23 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality. They also had an over 50 percent lower risk of cerebrovascular mortality.

Moreover, those who ate chili peppers at least four times a week had a 40 percent lower risk of dying of a heart attack than those who didn’t eat chili peppers as often. Interestingly, people who often ate chili peppers enjoyed lowered mortality risk regardless of the type of diet that they followed.

How to cook with chili peppers

If you’re not overly fond of spicy foods, experiment by adding chili peppers to your go-to dishes. Add a few slices of fresh chili peppers to scrambled eggs, sandwiches, stir-fries or soups. You can also make your own hot sauce with fresh chili peppers so you can more easily spice up any dish.

If you want to temper their heat, remove the stem and seeds of whole peppers. The heat is concentrated in those parts, so removing them carefully will reduce the burn.

Rinsing cut chili peppers in cold water will also help reduce the heat because this removes the initial juices. You can also pickle chili peppers in vinegar to make them less spicy. Roasting peppers can also make them taste milder. Additionally, adding full-fat dairy to your dish can help reduce the heat of the peppers.

When using chili peppers in cooking, always start with half of what the recipe calls for. You can always add more peppers if needed. Taste as you go and add more as the dish cooks.

Use gloves when handling chili peppers and avoid touching your face. If you can’t help handling them with your bare hands, wash your hands thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or any high-proof alcohol afterward. Capsaicin doesn’t dissolve in water and will stay on your hands unless rinsed off properly.

Studies have shown that chili peppers may help you live longer. If you want to enjoy that benefit, add a dash of hot sauce or a few slices of chili peppers to your favorite dish. Don’t forget to have a glass of water at the ready.

Sources:

GovernmentSlaves.news

UOfMHealth.com

IntegrativePractitioner.com

MyRecipes.com

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