Heuser Health

 

Eat Spicy, Live Long!

A 2015 Harvard based study which covered a 4-year period of 485,000 people, found that compared with eating hot food, mainly chili peppers, less than once a week, having it once or twice a week resulted in a 10 percent reduced overall risk for death. Consuming spicy food six to seven times a week reduced the risk by 14 percent.

Why, you ask?

  • Chili peppers can reduce the damaging effects of LDL (that pesky bad cholesterol)
  • Adding some spice has been shown to reduce inflammation!
  • Capscaisin has also been shown to have a thermogenic effect, which can help you burn calories for up to 20 minutes post chow down
  • After eating red chili peppers, people tend to consume 75 fewer calories  compared to after eating bland food
  • A recent study has shown that capsaicin acts against pain by affecting a brain chemical (substance P) which is thought to be a key transmission of pain
  • The heat of spicy foods increases blood flow, creating a stronger cardiovascular system, and thus lower blood pressure
  • The American Association of Cancer Research studies show that capsaicin has the ability to kill some cancer and leukemic cells
  • Many spices, including tumeric and cloves, are high in antioxidants, and improve insulin sensitivity
  • The heat from spicy foods causes you to release feel good endorphins, improving your mood and reducing stress!

 

Grab that bottle of Tabasco and get spicin’!