EATING SPICY FOOD CAN PROLONG YOUR LIFE

Spicy foods are a polarizing thing. However, it is starting to gain mainstream popularity over the recent years, due to the various challenges swirling on the Internet.

Case in point, the spicy ramen challenge, the spicy chip challenge, and eating the spiciest chili pepper challenge like the Carolina Reaper.

But apart from its rather hot taste, spiciness in food may have other benefits.

In a large study conducted in China by Harvard University researchers, it was found out that spicy food reduces the risk of death. You read that right; eating spicy food may prolong your life.

Although the study did not find out the specific cause of this benefit, they are theorizing that this may be due to spices’ preservative qualities. As we all know, since the ancient times, many cultures have utilized the preservative benefits of spices to make food life, longer and protect it from spoiling.

Nature’s Anti-Bacterial Weapon
This practice has been long used, but it has actually scientific backing.

In a study made by American scientist Paul Sherman, they found out that spices have antimicrobial properties, which makes it a very potent preservative. The study has focused on common spices such as chili peppers and cloves, and found that food with high concentrations of these suppress harmful food-borne pathogens.

In fact, the study even found that specific variants of spices such as the chili pepper are effective at killing microbes.

Capcaicin – spices’ active ingredient that produces the “hot” sensation, was also found to be administered to chicken to reduce salmonella infection – all without inhibiting the growth of the animals.

Other Benefits
There exists a handful of benefits to consuming spicy food.

According to published research by the NCBI, in addition to its antibacterial properties, spices can also help treat certain varieties of cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases.

Moreover, spices can also help promote digestion, protection from cold and the flu and even reduce nausea and vomiting among individuals.

In conclusion, the benefits of spices are countless due to its antimicrobial properties. This information makes the study of spices all the more interesting, as its effects can be further used to initiate more studies.

With these in mind, we can say that spices…are truly the spice of life!