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Chilies have been used as a food and medicine for at least 8,000 years. Now, literally hot off the presses, a new study suggests that eating these fiery fruits could save your life. The researchers reported that people who ate chili peppers regularly lived longer and had much lower risk for fatal heart attacks and strokes than those who ate chilies rarely or never.
What’s more, the spices for heart health benefits of chilies are independent of other risk factors for cardiovascular health or the type of diet a person follows, according to the study, which was published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology on December 24. How do these fiery fruits help protect your brain, heart and arterial wellness? Here’s a look at the study and key takeaways from the BaleDoneen Method.
What did the study discover?
The researchers studied a Mediterranean cohort of nearly 23,000 men and women who were randomly recruited from Molise, Italy. Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire and their rates of death from various causes over the next 8.2 years was analyzed. About 24 percent of participants ate chilies four or more times a week and 34 percent ate them rarely or never.
After adjustments for age, sex and caloric intake, the results for the two groups were as follows:
- People who ate chili peppers frequently had a 40 percent lower risk for dying from a heart attack than those who ate chilies rarely or never.
- Risk for fatal stroke was halved in the group that ate chilies frequently.
- Frequent eaters of chilies had a 33 percent lower risk for death of any cause during the study period.
- Survival benefits of eating chilies were stronger in people without high blood pressure.
- Consumption of chili peppers had no effect on the rate of cancer deaths.
Did everyone in the study eat a Mediterranean diet?
“An interesting fact is that protection from mortality risk was independent of the type of diet people followed,” study lead author Marialaura Bonaccio, an epidemiologist at the Mediterranean Neurological Institute, told CNN.
“In other words, someone can follow the healthy Mediterranean diet, someone else can eat less healthily, but for all of them chili pepper has a protective effect,” she added. This shows that spices for brain health and cardiovascular benefits can be gained in many different eating styles.
What’s so hot about chili peppers?
Scientists believe that capsaicin — the compound that gives chilies their firepower — may be what accounts for the fruit’s healthy effects. The ancient Mayans included chilies in medicines to treat infected wounds, GI upset and earaches.
Recent studies have reported that chili pepper extracts kill a number of germs. Capsaicin also has anesthetic effects and is an ingredient in certain creams, nasal sprays and skin patches to relieve pain.
The study authors report that capsaicin “has been observed to favorably improve cardiovascular function and metabolic regulation in experimental and population studies.” They also state that this fiery compound is known to have anti-inflammatory spices properties that contribute to its protective effects on arteries.
What do other studies say about chili peppers and heart health?
In 2015, a Chinese study linked eating spicy foods, including chilies, six or seven times a week to a 14 percent lower risk for death from any cause and a 22 percent lower risk for death from ischemic heart disease. In women, eating spicy foods was also associated with a lower risk of death from infections.
The study included more than 500,000 people who were tracked for a median of seven years. The researchers also analyzed results for people who ate fresh chili pepper as their favorite spice and found greater reductions in deaths from cancer, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes in this group than in people who seldom ate fresh chilies.
A 2017 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination study reported a 36 percent lower rate of all-cause mortality in people who ate hot red chili peppers vs. those who did not. Participants were tracked for about 19 years, further highlighting the antioxidant spices heart benefits found in certain peppers.
Does the new study prove that chilies prevent heart attacks and strokes?
This type of study is not designed to show a cause-and-effect relationship between eating chili peppers and longer life or better cardiovascular health, just an association. It may be that people who eat the pungent fruits also have other healthy habits, such as eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.
A diet high in fresh produce has been linked in many studies to protection against heart attacks and strokes — and is strongly advised by the BaleDoneen Method. We also recommend a diet based on your DNA to personalize your eating plan for optimal arterial health. This approach helps combine heart and brain health diet strategies with spices for vascular health.
For more food-related news, check out these blog posts: “The Amazing Heart Health Benefits of Cutting 300 Calories a Day,” “The 10 Best and Worst Foods for Your Heart and Brain Health” and “Which is Worse for Your Heart: Saturated Fat or Sugar?” Also visit our collection of heart-healthy recipes for menu inspiration.
FAQs
What is the best spice for heart health?
Chili peppers are one of the best spices for heart health. Their capsaicin content may help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and reduce inflammation in the arteries.
What is the best spice for brain health?
Chili peppers may support brain health by improving blood flow and reducing oxidative stress, which helps protect brain cells.
What is the #1 spice to support heart health according to dietitians?
Many dietitians rank chili peppers high for heart health because studies link regular consumption to lower heart attack and stroke risk.
How to improve brain and heart health?
Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and heart-healthy spices like chili peppers. Stay active, get enough sleep, and manage stress for the best results.
What is the best spice to unclog arteries?
No spice can directly unclog arteries, but chili peppers may help protect them by lowering inflammation and supporting healthy blood vessels.
About the Author: Ed Price
