Spice up your life
Eating chilli four times a week can help you live longer.
A recent study showed that eating chilli pepper regularly can lower your risk of dying from chronic illnesses by as much as 23%.
Researchers at the Mediterranean Neurological Institute in Polizzi, Italy, tracked the health and eating habits of 22,811 men and woman over the age of 35 for eight years.
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that people who consumed meals containing chillis at least four times a week had up to a 40% lower risk of dying of heart attack, and a nearly 50% lower risk of dying of a stroke or other brain condition.
It’s not clear what makes chillis so good at disease prevention, but previous research has shown that capsaicin – the active compound that creates the spicy sensation in hot peppers – has many health benefits, including boosting metabolism, stimulating nerves, aiding digestion and lowering blood pressure.
