There is good news for lovers of hot and spicy food – the chili inside it can help you live longer. Researchers from University of Vermont College of Medicine in US have discovered that capsaicin, active ingredient in hot red chili peppers, may boost metabolism, strengthen cardiovascular system and help reduce high blood pressure and obesity. They said people who regularly ate hot red chili peppers had 13 per cent reduced risk of premature death compared with those who did not eat them. They concluded that: " consumption of hot red chili pepper was associated with reduced mortality. Hot red chili peppers may be beneficial component of diet."
researchers surveyed total of 16,179 adults over period of six years. Survey participants answered questions on their health, lifestyle, income and eating habits. researchers analysed deaths that occurred in 18 years following survey. A total of 4,946 of participants died. Of these, 21.6 per cent regularly consumed chili compared with 33.6 per cent who did not. This led researchers to believe hot red chili peppers helped prolong life. Britain's National Health Service urged people not to rely on one "superfood" like chili to stay healthier. It said: "Eat balanced diet high in variety of fruit and vegetables, limit salt, sugar and saturated fat, stay active [and] avoid smoking."
