Nutrition Facts with Dr. Greger
Is Spicy Food Good for You?
Nov 2, 2023
This podcast explores the popularity of spicy food, the potential life-extending effects of consuming spicy foods, the health benefits associated with eating spicy foods, the impact of pepper spray on the eyes, and pain control methods after exposure to pepper spray.
13:02
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Quick takeaways
- Regular consumption of spicy foods has been associated with a 14% reduction in total mortality, suggesting that adding chilies to the usual diet may improve longevity.
- Consuming spicy foods can help lower blood pressure and reduce salt intake by making food taste saltier than it actually is, offering a novel lifestyle intervention to improve cardiovascular health.
Deep dives
Spicy foods may contribute to longer lifespan
Regular consumption of spicy foods has been associated with a 14% reduction in total mortality. This finding was observed in a massive study of half a million men and women in China. The potential benefits of spicy foods remained even after excluding sick individuals, suggesting that the association is not merely due to reverse causality. The protective effect of spicy food consumption was also seen in other countries, such as the United States and Italy. These findings suggest that minor dietary changes, such as adding chilies to the usual diet, may have a positive impact on health and could potentially improve longevity.
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