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Study: Chili pepper consumption is good for the heart and blood vessels
A new study suggests that the consumption of chilli peppers or chilli peppers reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The researchers assume that the contained capsaicin substance is responsible for the protective effect.
Chili peppers or chili peppers are an integral part of the traditional Mediterranean diet. A new study from Italy now suggests that the hot spice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (disorders of the blood supply to the brain).
Lower cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality
As reported by the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE), the Italian research group surveyed 22,811 adults about their eating habits for their study. A total of 1,236 deaths were recorded in a follow-up period of around eight years.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality rates were found to be significantly lower among those who regularly seasoned their food with chilli pepper than those who never or rarely used chilli.
The study results were published in the journal "Journal of the American College of Cardiology".
However, the BZfE points out that this is a retrospective association study. Although this can suggest possible causal relationships, it cannot provide definitive evidence.
"The question is whether you can actually reduce cardiovascular risk to a relevant extent with such a simple measure as spicy seasoning," says neurologist Professor J. David Spence from the Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Center, London, Ontario (Canada). .
Recommended Mediterranean food
Biologically, however, the protective effect of hot spices seems at least partially plausible.
For the essential active ingredient of chili pepper capsaicin, beneficial effects on functions of the cardiovascular system as well as on metabolic processes and anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated in experimental and clinical studies.
According to Spence, the decisive factor seems to be the complete nutritional pattern rather than a single nutritional component.
A Mediterranean diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains is particularly cheap. "With a pinch of Tabasco, you won't be able to conjure up healthy food from fast food."
Help with waiving salt
According to the BZfE, the use of herbs and spices in the kitchen is to be assessed in a generally positive way from a nutritional point of view.
In addition to the taste enhancement, they offer micronutrients and secondary plant substances and help to save salt, of which we mostly use too much.
This is also shown by a study by the Chongqing Institute of Hypertension (China). A few months ago, the researchers reported in the specialist journal "Hypertension" that spicy foods can help you avoid salt. (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of the medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical doctors.
Swell:
- Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE): Chili pepper good for the heart and blood vessels ?, (accessed: January 15, 2020), Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE)
- Marialaura Bonaccio, Augusto Di Castelnuovo, Simona Costanzo, including: Chili Pepper Consumption and Mortality in Italian Adults; in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, (published: December 16, 2019), Journal of the American College of Cardiology
- Qiang Li, Yuanting Cui, Rongbing Jin, Hongmei Lang, Hao Yu et al .: Enjoyment of Spicy Flavor Enhances Central Salty-Taste Perception and Reduces Salt Intake and Blood Pressure; in: Hypertension, (published: October 31, 2017), Hypertension
