Could eating chili peppers actually help you live longer?

If you’re a fan of spicy foods, you’re in luck: Research from the University of Vermont indicates that consuming red chili peppers may just help you live longer. It may not always feel like you’re going to live longer after you’ve consumed a very spicy meal, but it seems that those hot peppers are doing quite a bit of good.

The study, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, involved analyzing data gathered by the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) III. Information from over 16,000 people who were followed for a period of 23 years was utilized to conduct their research. The team found that people who said they ate chili peppers often were less likely to die than those who did not eat hot peppers.

During the study period, a total of 4,946 deaths were observed. The total mortality rate for people who consumed hot chilies on a regular basis was 21.6 percent, compared to 33.6 percent for those who did not eat hot peppers. The absolute risk reduction seen in people who consumed chilies was 12 percent. However, when adjusting for demographics, lifestyle choices, and other clinical risks, the risk reduction associated with chili pepper consumption actually increased to 13 percent. While the mechanism by which peppers exact their health benefits is far from certain, these findings are still encouraging.

In their abstract, the research team writes, “In this large population-based prospective study, the consumption of hot red chili pepper was associated with reduced mortality. Hot red chili peppers may be a beneficial component of the diet.” In their conclusion, the researchers also note that their findings support previous studies that have indicated an inverse relationship between the consumption of spicy foods and mortality. The team also notes that due to the observational nature of their study and the inherent drawbacks of self-reporting, causality can only be posited but not confirmed. However, these findings will hopefully inspire more in-depth research into the benefits of hot red chili peppers.