Interestingly enough, studies show that eating chili peppers as a fairly regular part of your diet may help to reduce the risk of death by cardiovascular mortality by 26%. Chili pepper consumption was even reported to reduce cancer deaths by 23% when compared to those who had the same conditions and yet never added this spicy pepper to dishes.

This is according to American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions of 2020.

Eating chili peppers has been found to induce anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and blood glucose regulating effects. This is because of the capsaicin. Capsaicin is what gives these little peppers such a big spicy kick.

Dietary and health records of nearly 600,000 people in the USA, China, Italy, and Iran were used in the outcome factoring. The analysis found conclusively that:

• a 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality
• a 23% relative reduction in cancer mortality
• a 25% relative reduction in all-cause mortality

“It shines a spotlight on the fact that dietary factors may play an important role in overall health,” said senior author Bo Xu, M.D., cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. “The exact reasons and mechanisms that might explain our findings, though, are currently unknown. Therefore, it is impossible to conclusively say that eating more chili pepper can prolong life and reduce deaths, especially from cardiovascular factors or cancer. More research, especially evidence from randomized controlled studies, is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.”

While it may not be 100% scientifically proven as of yet, with results like these if you like spicey foods, you may want to consider eating them on a regular basis.

If you are in the Tampa, Florida area we would love to invite you in for a complete consultation including heart healthy nutrition giving you a guide map made for you specifically as to how to get and keep your heart in the best shape possible.

www.tampacardio.com
813-975-2800