Anti-inflammatory spice that could help lower cholesterol levels
Recent studies have shown that a well-loved spice could be the key to reducing cholesterol and even fighting cancer. This particular fruit is packed with a compound renowned for its multitude of health benefits.
Chilli peppers are emerging as a potential ally for heart health and more, due to capsaicin, the fiery component that gives chillies their heat, reports the Express.
Not only does capsaicin bring the spice to chillies, but it also has properties that may lower cholesterol and help in the fight against cancer and arthritis.
A 2022 study published in the Frontiers in Nutrition journal highlighted capsaicin's effects on cholesterol levels. This research involved an analysis of nine controlled trials with 461 patients suffering from metabolic syndrome—a combination of health issues that heighten the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The results showed that capsaicin significantly reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, commonly known as "bad" cholesterol.
The study's authors stated: "Capsaicin (CAP) supplementation is a promising approach to decreasing total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with metabolic syndrome. However, short-term (less than 12 weeks) use of CAP in women may also reduce triglycerides [a type of fat found in the blood] levels."
Other studies have suggested that chillies and their fiery compound capsaicin might be useful in combating heart disease. A standout piece of research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology from 2019 highlighted a connection between regular chilli consumption and a decreased risk of heart disease mortality.
The study scrutinised the eating habits and health records of over 22,000 individuals living in Southern Italy, with an average follow-up period just over eight years.
The results were quite remarkable: individuals who ate chilli peppers more than four times per week appeared to have about one-third reduction in death risk from heart disease compared to those who avoided these piquant pods. Intriguingly, this benefit seemed to hold true regardless of whether participants adhered to a Mediterranean diet or consumed less healthy diets.
The researchers concluded: "In a large adult Mediterranean population, regular consumption of chilli pepper is associated with a lower risk of total and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death independent of CVD risk factors or adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Known biomarkers of CVD risk only marginally mediate the association of chilli pepper intake with mortality."
Adding to the wealth of knowledge, a 2021 study published in the Angiology journal brought together data from four separate studies examining the intake of spicy food – specifically chilli peppers, chilli sauce, or chilli oil – and its connection to cardiovascular disease.
This collective research, involving 564,748 participants over an average period of 9.7 years, uncovered an intriguing association between regular consumption of spicy food and health advantages.
Researchers identified that individuals who frequently enjoy spicy foods have a lower mortality risk overall, as well as reduced death rates from cardiovascular diseases.
Their findings revealed: "The pooled data suggested that compared with people who did not regularly consume spicy food, regular consumers of spicy food experienced a 12% lower risk of all-cause mortality."
Moreover, they noticed that eating spicy food correlates significantly with a decreased risk of death from heart disease but found no similar link regarding cerebrovascular conditions.
In their conclusion, the researchers indicated: "Available epidemiological studies suggest that the consumption of spicy chilli food is associated with reduced risk of all-cause as well as heart disease-related mortality. Further studies in different populations are needed to confirm this association."
In a study featured in the 2022 edition of the Molecules journal, it was suggested that capsaicin could play a crucial role in warding off obesity. The research also pointed out its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities.
The scientists involved noted: "Capsaicinoids act against high cholesterol levels and obesity, show anticancer effects, and are used to treat arthritis pain."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Popular gym supplement could help prevent Alzheimer's
Creatine is a popular supplement among gym-goers and bodybuilders, but research suggests it could also benefit the brain and help protect against Alzheimer's disease. A popular supplement used by gym-goers could help lower your risk of Alzheimer's disease. According to a new study, creatine could help boost cognitive health - but one expert has urged caution. Creatine is one of your body's natural energy sources for muscle contraction. It can be found naturally in many protein sources such as meat, seafood and milk. But athletes and bodybuilders often take additional creatine supplements to increase their strength during training. Research has also shown that it could benefit the brain. In a video uploaded to social media platform TikTok, neurologist Doctor Baibing Cheng, explained more. He said: 'Is creatine the new miracle drug for Alzheimer's? 'The same supplement that bodybuilders use is now making headlines in Alzheimer's research.' Dr Baibing, who is better known online as Dr Bing, referenced a recent scientific study that looked into this connection. He continued: 'A recent small pilot study came out suggesting that creatine might help with brain energy metabolism in early Alzheimer's. On the surface the logic makes sense, that creatine supports ATP production - basically cellular energy and Alzheimer's is in part a disease of metabolic failure in the brain.' In the study, which was published in Alzheimer's and Dementia journal, participants with 'mild cognitive impairment' or early Alzheimer's were given creatine for several weeks. Some showed modest improvements in working memory and processing speed. Dr Bing said: 'This sounds great, but here's the key. It was a pilot study - small group, short duration, no long-term outcome data, and this doesn't prove that creatine can prevent or reverse Alzheimer's, only that it's worth studying further.' Further to this he warned that you should never rely on supplements instead of sticking to a healthy lifestyle. 'One thing I always like to emphasise to people is that supplements are not replacements,' he said. 'They're not replacements for what really matters like frequent exercise, Mediterranean-style diet, good sleep, managing your blood pressure and blood sugar, social connection and cognitive engagement.' Creatine also comes with a warning if you have kidney problems or take other medications that could interact badly with the supplement. He added: 'If you choose to take creatine, that's fine, it's your choice, but remember that not all creatine products are created equal. 'The supplement market is barely regulated, so before you start spending a lot of money on powders and pills, talk to your doctors, especially if you have kidney issues or are on other meds.' As part of the trial referenced by Dr Bing the 19 participants took 20 grams of creatine monohydrate, a powder they could mix into the beverage of their choice, every day for eight weeks. Blood draws were conducted at baseline, at four weeks and at eight weeks, and participants underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging at baseline and at eight weeks to measure creatine in the brain. As reported by the University of Kansas, the study showed an 11 per cent increase in brain creatine levels. Study lead Matthew Taylor commented: 'These preliminary results suggest that there are good things happening here, that creatine has a benefit. This is a great rationale for doing more clinical trials with larger sample sizes. 'There has been evidence in other populations that giving a higher dose of creatine does change brain creatine levels, but seeing it change in Alzheimer's patients was really exciting. That (11 per cent) is a significant increase.' To lower your risk of dementia, the NHS recommends: Eating a balanced diet Maintaining a healthy weight Exercising regularly Keeping alcohol within recommended limits Stopping smoking Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level Having an active social life
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Six life lessons from the healthiest town in Italy
On the west coast of Italy, just south of Naples, is the region of Cilento. It's known for its sprawling national park which overlooks the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, yet its most impressive feature is its residents. A disproportionately high number of them – roughly 300, in fact – are over 100 years old, and in remarkable health, free of heart problems and mental ailments. Professor Salvatore Di Somma, founder of Great Health Science, which runs research programs investigating healthy ageing, has studied Cilento's residents for the past decade, alongside a team of scientists from Italy and the United States. He first visited the region in the late 1970s and, as a young doctor, was immediately enamoured with it. 'I was surprised to see people over the age of 90 still very healthy, with no cardiovascular disease, very active in mind, not even wearing glasses, and with well-functioning health systems,' he says. The researchers, collaborating under the CIAO (Cilento Initiative on Ageing Outcomes) study, believe Cilento should be designated an official ' Blue Zone '. 'It's a special place where people enjoy long and healthy lives with habits similar to residents in official Blue Zones, like Sardinia and Greece,' says Di Somma. 'There is a lot we can learn from them.' After ten years of research, he believes the team has only begun to uncover Cilento's secrets to robust ageing. But if we're not living in a beautiful Italian village by the sea, here's what else we can do. 1. Think of olive oil as medicine For Nicolina – a 101-year-old resident who lives in the mountainous village of Eremiti – her homemade olive oil is medicine. If she has a cold, her family physician will put a drop of it up her nose, and if she's constipated, she'll drink a spoonful of the golden liquid. It's a staple of the Mediterranean diet, and packed with antioxidants which are good for the gut and heart. In fact, Cilento is considered the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet – it's where Ancel Keys, the American physiologist, first discovered it in the 1950s, and made the link between certain dietary patterns and reduced cardiovascular risk. In 2022, Harvard researchers found that eating more than half a tablespoon of olive oil each day – especially in place of butter, margarine or mayonnaise – may boost longevity. They speculated this is due to olive oil's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which aid cardiovascular health and may reduce inflammation in the body. Di Somma and his team compared the health of middle-aged residents in Cilento to their counterparts in Malmo, Sweden. 'In north Europe they have totally different food habits and lifestyles. They use a lot of meat, and they use butter rather than olive oil,' he explains. In the study, they compared the lifestyle, dietary habits, and prevalence of cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative biomarkers. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they discovered the residents in Malmo had a higher chance of cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as higher LDL, bad cholesterol levels. The Mediterranean diet played a role in the better health of Cilento's residents, the researchers concluded, although they believed further protective factors were also at play. 2. Beef is off the menu but go big on the anchovies Carnivores, look away now. The residents of Cilento eat a very different diet to the average Westerner, explains Dr David Brenner, the president and chief executive of Sanford Burnham Prebys, a research unit working on the CIAO Study. Beef is rare – in fact, they don't eat much meat at all. Their diet centres around fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and wholegrain breads and cereals. They flavour their meals with rosemary – healthy fats are key – and their preferred animal proteins are fish and seafood, particularly anchovies. Whilst we know red meat is a great source of protein and iron, it has also been linked to increased cancer risk. In 2019, Oxford University found that eating it just once a day could increase bowel cancer risk by a fifth. Meanwhile, although anchovies are more of an acquired taste, research consistently shows that they're good for the heart due to their omega-3 fatty acid content. 3. Cook, sing and pray to keep the brain active As Nicolina proves, many of the elderly residents in Cilento are mentally sharp. She perfectly remembers many of her friends who sadly died years ago and enjoys baking fresh cookies for her regular visitors. Meanwhile a fellow resident, 98-year-old Ida, who lives in the village of Gioi, makes her own fresh pasta and loves to sing. In fact, in 2020, the team studied the loneliness and wisdom of middle-aged and elderly people in Cilento compared with adults in San Diego, using two scientific scales. The UCLA Loneliness Scale uses a four-point rating mechanism to assess how often a person feels disconnected from others, whilst the San Diego Wisdom Scale measures seven traits including emotional regulation, spirituality, and acceptance of different viewpoints. 'We found they [Cilento residents] are in a very healthy cognitive state and this was linked to a very high level of wisdom,' Di Somma explains. He believes this is partly due to their strongly held and practised Christian beliefs. 'They have no Alzheimer's and very low levels of depression because they live by the day and have a close relationship with religion which gives them purpose.' By investing time in their favoured hobbies and interests, they are likely to be happier, more satisfied and mentally active, according to a 2023 study by UCL, which are all important factors in maintaining a healthy brain. 4. Elderly people stay at home (or live independently) In Cilento, there are no retirement homes. 'Everyone lives at home and the older people will see their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren every day,' Dr Brenner says. Their houses have been in their families for over 400 years and there's a 'sense of worth, community and interaction,' he explains. Nicolina lives alone but her son comes to visit her each night and she's continually visited by friends and neighbours. Her son and grandchildren will always offer to help her, but she's fiercely independent and consistently refuses. When asked if she ever feels alone, she answers 'no' without hesitation. The researchers believe this sense of community, independence and intergenerational communication helps to keep the residents younger, sharper and happier. It marks a stark contrast to the UK whose care home population is nearly half a million with many elderly people battling multiple or complex needs which means they can't stay with their families. 5. Garden and walk uphill to stay physically fit The land in Cilento is enviably rich and fertile whilst the villages are hilly, which means many residents simply spend their days gardening and incline walking. Exercise is therefore an integral and natural part of their lives. 'They produce a lot of their own vegetables which means they learn to garden from a young age and keep doing it as they get older. It's part of their tradition,' Dr Brenner explains. The benefits of a daily walk are well established with one 2023 study in GeroScience highlighting its profound impact on cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of hypertension. Meanwhile, 2024 research outlines the benefits of gardening, including improved physical health and related behavioural practices like eating more fruits and vegetables. 6. Forget about material possessions – be content with what you have The residents in Cilento have little need for cars, phones or fancy clothes. ' They live without much in the way of money but have a high-quality life because many of their things are very inexpensive or inherited,' Dr Brenner says. Nicolina is incredibly content spending her afternoons listening to Radio Maria, a Catholic broadcaster, and making food for her many visitors. Dr Brenner says the residents exhibit a good amount of grit, balanced alongside a mindset of 'overcoming adversities with a positive attitude'. They don't have much and they're happier for it. Additionally, in a 2022 study which analysed Cilento's population against key longevity factors, the researchers found that 'those who lived [there] adopted specific lifestyles, such as hard work, love of the land, family, and religion, which allowed them to maintain mental well-being and made them particularly resilient and optimistic'. Beyond lifestyle and diet These daily habits and routines are, of course, only half the picture when it comes to the remarkable health and longevity of Cilento's residents. The researchers are also examining their stem cells, brains, and metabolites, too, through advanced testing run by Professor Catriona Jamieson's team at the Sanford Stem Cell Institute. They hope to discover some of the key biological markers of extreme longevity to aid their development of medical strategies for the treatment of age-related conditions. However, what we can learn from Cilento's residents is that surrounding yourself with friends and family, learning to be content with what you have, and opting for a splash of olive oil every now and again may be the key to living happier, healthier and for longer. The CIAO Study is a multi-institution collaboration that includes Sanford Burnham Prebys, an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute in San Diego; the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at University of California San Diego; University La Sapienza in Rome and Great Health Science, a network of public and private research organisations based in Rome, Italy. Launched in 2016, the researchers are keen to identify key factors that promote healthy ageing and extreme longevity.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tips on how to sleep through a heatwave as temperatures expected to soar
A new report has revealed that over half of Brits have pulled a sickie due to the roasting weather impacting their sleep - and it's only set to get worse, with temperatures expected to spike again this weekend Heatwaves are believed to cost the UK economy an average of £5.98bn each year, according to a recent study, and a significant factor is sleep. More than a third of Brits lose between one to two hours of sleep per night during a heatwave. As a result, over half of Brits have admitted to calling in sick due to the scorching weather affecting their sleep, others have arrived late or cancelled social plans. Worryingly for UK employers, the decrease in sleep quality is impacting productivity levels with the average adult losing nearly 14 hours of efficient work time during heatwaves. According to the study commissioned by BOXT, only 5 percent of UK homes are constructed to cope with the temperatures that the country is currently experiencing. Overheated Brits are also feeling the pinch financially. The research shows half of participants (57%) are splurging £150 on iced drinks and portable fans to stay cool, while a staggering 28% confessed to shelling out £300 for the same items. "We've long focused on keeping heat in but with hotter summers becoming the norm, good insulation is just as important for keeping our homes cool," said Adam Knight, lead engineer at BOXT. "Most of us are relying on temporary cooling hacks and still not sleeping well. We're seeing more hot, humid nights in the UK but our homes aren't built for it," he said. "Ask any parent with a cranky toddler after a sleepless night, or a commuter sweating through another sticky train journey. Heat affects behaviour and brain power." Despite the nationwide struggles, only 5 percent of Brits have a permanent air-conditioning unit fitted in their home and 14 percent consider the concept an American or Mediterranean 'luxury'. But it might not be as expensive as they think. You could get a unit installed with flexible finance options starting at just £30.67 a month with no deposit, says BOXT. Those who are happy to splash the cash upfront could purchase an air-conditioning unit for £2,199. Adam added: "Most people assume air conditioning is expensive or only for luxury homes – but it's more affordable than you may think. And, unlike fans or gadgets that just circulate air, proper AC cools the whole room, not just the space directly in front of you." To help struggling Brits get through their workday when temperatures rise, sleep expert and psychologist Hope Bastine has shared her top advice on how to get a good night's sleep. Heatwave hacks to improve your sleep Freeze your sheets Go for natural linen or eucalyptus fibre sheets – they wick away moisture, dry quickly and help air flow. To stay cool without soaking your bed, focus on smaller items. Stick to freezing just your pillowcase or a light throw, not the whole bedding set. Pop them in a plastic bag and freeze for 15 minutes before bed. Ditch your partner Cuddling partners and pets can be comforting but not in a heatwave – so try to sleep solo if possible. Body heat is your worst enemy on hot nights. Even one extra person in bed can raise the temp by a few degrees. Skip the cold shower before bed Instead, Hope recommends having a lukewarm shower 90 minutes before bed, which helps kickstart your body's cooling process and helps wind you down. Cut the caffeine Iced coffees might feel like a heatwave treat but caffeine is a diuretic and contributes to dehydration, one of the top causes of disturbed sleep. It also raises your body temperature, which is what you want to avoid.
