The Spicy Compound in Chili Peppers Extends Fruit Fly Lifespan—But What About Us?
The Spanish Paradox
The benefits of beans may help explain the so-called Spanish Paradox. Hispanic Americans—despite socioeconomic patterns typically associated with poorer health outcomes, such as disparities in education and healthcare access, as well as higher poverty rates—tend to live longer than other ethnic groups in the U.S.
With lower risks in nine out of the 15 leading causes of death—most notably, reduced rates of heart disease and cancer—Hispanic Americans have a 24% lower risk of premature death.
In a study on Mexican Americans, researchers found that compared to other groups, they not only consumed more beans but also more fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and corn. (These healthy eating patterns extend further into Central America. In Costa Rica’s Blue Zone, after rice and beans, corn tortillas are the most common staple. They also consume more chili peppers. Could chili peppers contribute to longevity?)
Chili Peppers: More Than Just a Flavor Boost
The spicy compound in chili peppers has been shown to extend the lifespan of fruit flies—but what about humans? Interestingly, all four studies examining the correlation between spicy food consumption and mortality rates have found a significant reduction in the risk of death from all causes among those who eat more chili peppers.
I dedicated an entire section to chili peppers in the Fat-Burning Foods chapter of How Not to Diet, detailing how cayenne pepper can counteract the metabolic slowdown that comes with weight loss and, as a bonus, increase fat-burning rates. However, the clear longevity benefits of eating chili peppers remain even after accounting for body mass index (BMI).
There are at least half a dozen no-salt-added hot sauce options available on the market. Even Tabasco has a relatively low sodium content—though only in the original flavor (other varieties contain up to five times more salt). You can also use pure chili powder as a seasoning. I personally keep a variety of chili powders in shaker bottles for different occasions, including adobo, chipotle, and Thai bird’s eye chili for when I really want to turn up the heat in my meals.
