Lola Themola
Oakland August 5, 2015
I find this to be true, as well. I eat a lot of spicy food and i'm not dead. ;)
swm
providence August 5, 2015
Did the New York TImes actually offer up the phrase "reduced risk of death"? There is no such thing. Come on, we should expect better.
Phil Frayne
Paris August 5, 2015
Technically we all have a 100% risk of death. Eventually, its going to happen... so I know I'll add some spicy food to my diet if there exists a 10% chance of immortality.
Susanna J Dodgson
Haddonfield, NJ August 5, 2015
Oh dear. Eating spicy foods does not reduce the risk of death. It reduces the risk of dying earlier.
debschiff
Boston August 5, 2015
Point is, how many of us can financially afford to live so much longer?
S Shah
Roslyn August 5, 2015
This is awesome news, I'm never gonna die!!!! :-)
William Orem
Massachusetts August 6, 2015
I don't always eat spicy foods. But when I do, I live longer.
PB
CNY August 6, 2015
Great information! Now every morning I will reduce my progress toward death by adding some death-defying chili peppers to my high antioxidant blueberries that I put on my good-for-the-heart oatmeal, which has those omega-3 nuts on top and is accompanied by a glass or 3 of that therapeutic red wine.
Tess Harding
The New York Globe August 5, 2015
Just learned this study was sponsored by the Chinatown Merchants Association, Shezchuan Chapter.
Read with a grain of salt, or capsaicin.
Read with a grain of salt, or capsaicin.
Bill
NYC August 5, 2015
Everyone's "risk for death" is 100%; there's no reducing our mortality. Write better.
sophisticated feminist
New York City August 5, 2015
Or is it possible that people who feel better (are healthier) are more likely to choose to eat spice food?
Charley horse
Great Plains August 6, 2015
I always wondered whether oatmeal should be served with red or white wine. Now I know.
JULIA
Albuquerque August 5, 2015
Then they ought to be doing studies in New Mexico. People here eat chile as a vegetable, not just a condiment or seasoning, and at nearly every meal including breakfast. Yet I'm not seeing lower rates of respiratory diseases or cancer here.
Mario
New York, NY August 5, 2015
When will our culture stop treating food as medicine? Food is pleasure. Spicy food is delicious. Eat because you love a food, not because it is going to add 10% to your life.
Nadeem Khan
Islamabad August 5, 2015
Welcome to our Pakistani restaurant! We WILL light you up (or money back)
JN
Everywheresville August 6, 2015
Health benefits aside, I find that people who enjoy spicy food are more soulful, easygoing, and welcoming of new things. If you are averse to spicy food, you are completely closed off to some of the world's finest cuisines--the colorful Thai chili, Middle Eastern and Latin sauces, Szechuan food! Mmm... shoot, now I'm hungry.
ILhockeymom
Chicago August 5, 2015
Yes, but how many of those extra years will be spent on the toilet dealing with the consequences of those spicy foods? Quality of life must be considered too...
Drew
Washington DC August 5, 2015
"Eating spicy food is associated with a reduced risk for death." What a poorly phrased sentence. So they might not ever die if they eat spicy food?
Pam Jahnke
California August 5, 2015
I don't think we can reduce our risk for death -- none of us are getting out alive; however, perhaps the author should have qualified it as a "reduced risk for early death."
dmutchler
August 5, 2015
We Chile-heads have known for decades that chiles are good for you. Okay, okay, we just like the fruity heat of, say, a habanero or even the moderately spicy serrano.
@Padman: I knew a guy, regular Army at Ft. Hood, TX; had ulcers and wasn't having much luck with his military doctors. Hispanic friend recommend he see his (Mexican) Dr. Was advised to eat 2-3 jars of pickled jalapeños daily for, I believe, a week (may have been 3-4 days...don't recall). Anyway, this guy downed them for days. Ulcers gone.
Also, anecdotally, I and others have put a freshly cut slice of hot chile (habanero for me; Scotch bonnet in other case, I believe) against an ulcer on the inside of the mouth. Effectively gone w/in 24-36 hours.
Chiles are magic, folks. El Grande (god of chiles) is Good. :)
@Padman: I knew a guy, regular Army at Ft. Hood, TX; had ulcers and wasn't having much luck with his military doctors. Hispanic friend recommend he see his (Mexican) Dr. Was advised to eat 2-3 jars of pickled jalapeños daily for, I believe, a week (may have been 3-4 days...don't recall). Anyway, this guy downed them for days. Ulcers gone.
Also, anecdotally, I and others have put a freshly cut slice of hot chile (habanero for me; Scotch bonnet in other case, I believe) against an ulcer on the inside of the mouth. Effectively gone w/in 24-36 hours.
Chiles are magic, folks. El Grande (god of chiles) is Good. :)
Carol
NYC August 8, 2015
I love the first sentence in the article: "Eating spicy food is associated with a reduced risk for death." This really is news! The way I learned it, the "risk" for death is 100% no matter what you eat.
Kip Hansen
On the move, Stateside USA August 5, 2015
Basic Science Reminder: This is an epidemiological study -- a self-reported food consumption study, a type that has been proven over and over to be likely to lead to erroneous, often nonsensical, results. In all probability, the "results" have [almost] nothing whatever to do with reality.
Eating spicy foods does not "reduce overall risk for death" -- does not prolong life, does not prevent cancer, heart disease, or respiratory diseases.
Noting "that capsaicin, the main ingredient in chili peppers, had been found in other studies to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects" is post hoc logic and has no place in a medical study or in this article.
The best and most recent study on dietary "anti-oxidants" is the Cochrane Review found at: http://www.cochrane.org/CD007176/LIVER_antioxidant-supplements-for-preve...
The final line from that study:
"We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Beta-carotene and vitamin E seem to increase mortality, and so may higher doses of vitamin A. Antioxidant supplements need to be considered as medicinal products and should undergo sufficient evaluation before marketing."
Let me highlight that they find the most popular anti-oxidant supplements -- beta-carotene (the thing that makes carrots orange and is a precursor to Vit A), Vitamin E and possibly Vitamin A -- seem to **increase mortality** (death).
Eating spicy foods does not "reduce overall risk for death" -- does not prolong life, does not prevent cancer, heart disease, or respiratory diseases.
Noting "that capsaicin, the main ingredient in chili peppers, had been found in other studies to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects" is post hoc logic and has no place in a medical study or in this article.
The best and most recent study on dietary "anti-oxidants" is the Cochrane Review found at: http://www.cochrane.org/CD007176/LIVER_antioxidant-supplements-for-preve...
The final line from that study:
"We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Beta-carotene and vitamin E seem to increase mortality, and so may higher doses of vitamin A. Antioxidant supplements need to be considered as medicinal products and should undergo sufficient evaluation before marketing."
Let me highlight that they find the most popular anti-oxidant supplements -- beta-carotene (the thing that makes carrots orange and is a precursor to Vit A), Vitamin E and possibly Vitamin A -- seem to **increase mortality** (death).
John Krumm
Duluth, MN August 5, 2015
I tend to eat more slowly and a little less when the food is pretty spicy.
Sridhar Chilimuri
New York August 6, 2015
If this were to be true than Indians should be immortals! In fact they have not been blessed with longevity.
skillsaw
los angeles August 6, 2015
Spicy food, plus
Sitting too much, minus
Eating too much red meat, minus
Moderate red wine intake, plus
Non smoker, plus
Not enough sleep, minus
Etc., etc,etc. I need a mathematician to figure out my lifespan.
Sitting too much, minus
Eating too much red meat, minus
Moderate red wine intake, plus
Non smoker, plus
Not enough sleep, minus
Etc., etc,etc. I need a mathematician to figure out my lifespan.
Rawiri
Under the southern cross, North Island August 8, 2015
If you eat spicy food for 100 years you will live a long time
Moby Salahuddin
SC August 5, 2015
Could this explain why life expectancy is so high in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and other countries known for their spicy food?
Anne
Minnesota August 7, 2015
I don't know if spice adds to longevity of life, but it certainly adds to quality of life. I don't trust people who don't like spicy food. :)
elmueador
New York City August 6, 2015
It's possible that people who feel better can eat spicier food. Can we stop relating spinach, green tea, chocolate etc to more sex, life, higher IQ etc unless there is a mechanism that explains it? This kind of reporting ridicules Science.
Leading Edge Boomer
Santa Fe, NM August 7, 2015
Mortality rates are 100% everywhere.
Jim F.
outside Philly August 6, 2015
Spicy food saved my life, really. I was diagnosed with a nasty (rare and aggressive) form of cancer in my sinuses. Treatment involved surgeries, radiation, and heavy painkillers to allow me to better tolerate the radiation. This combination wiped out my taste buds for a while, so I ate a lot of spicy Indian food. The kick of the spices gave me something to taste. Part of treatment was to hold weight, which was tough while eating piles of bland paste (at least that was what it tasted like). And getting a bit rude for a moment, the spices helped me drain better, actually clearing my sinuses. Spicy = healthy.
Barbara
Providence, RI August 5, 2015
They said chili peppers! Chili Peppers. "...the researchers found that compared with eating hot food, mainly CHILI PEPPERS, less than once a week, having it once or twice a week resulted in a 10 percent reduced overall risk for death."
Swannie
Honolulu, HI August 5, 2015
I've been pouring on the heat to my food my whole life (65). The rest of my immediate family were abstainers, and guess what, I've outlived all of them. I was experimenting with adding cheap hot chile powder to my home-made bread until they would keep their cotton-pickin' fingers off it. I guess it worked!
Padman
Boston August 4, 2015
"We need more evidence, especially from clinical trials, to further verify these findings, said a co-author."
That is what we need, more evidence and more studies before jumping to any conclusions. There are conflicting studies about Capsaicin (the active component in chilli peppers) whether it decreases or increases the stomach cancer, the studies are mixed. A study of Mexican patients found self-reported capsaicin intake levels associated with increased stomach cancer rate while another Italian study suggested that eating hot peppers regularly was protective against stomach cancer.. However, Capsaicin, in the chilli peppers is an interesting chemical. It is supposed to produce many health benefits but not well proven. Its use as an analgesic in topical ointments and dermal patches is well known to every one.. It may well have other health benefits being an anti inflammatory and anti oxidant.. The reduced rate of ischemic heart disease and cancers may be due to its anti oxidant and anti inflammatory effect. But still it is too early to say whether eating spicy food will lead to longer life.
That is what we need, more evidence and more studies before jumping to any conclusions. There are conflicting studies about Capsaicin (the active component in chilli peppers) whether it decreases or increases the stomach cancer, the studies are mixed. A study of Mexican patients found self-reported capsaicin intake levels associated with increased stomach cancer rate while another Italian study suggested that eating hot peppers regularly was protective against stomach cancer.. However, Capsaicin, in the chilli peppers is an interesting chemical. It is supposed to produce many health benefits but not well proven. Its use as an analgesic in topical ointments and dermal patches is well known to every one.. It may well have other health benefits being an anti inflammatory and anti oxidant.. The reduced rate of ischemic heart disease and cancers may be due to its anti oxidant and anti inflammatory effect. But still it is too early to say whether eating spicy food will lead to longer life.
Bill Camarda
Ramsey, NJ August 7, 2015
If you follow the link the author has provided to the study, you'll see that it took into account many of these factors, notably: "lifestyle behaviors (alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, physical activity, and intakes of red meat, fresh fruits, and vegetables)." Read the details to assess for yourself the extent to which they address the concerns you've raised.
HappyMinnow
New York, NY August 7, 2015
There is no risk of death, only the certainty of it.
N.G. Krishnan
Bangalore, India August 7, 2015
The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices is very well documented in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical science.
It suggests use of plenty of spices and herbs in cooking. They are the heart and soul of an Indian kitchen, not only because they can turn an ordinary dish into a feast for the taste buds, but also because they possess immense medicinal healing properties, high in antioxidants, prevent cancer, lower cholesterol and blood sugar, improve memory, flush out toxins, enhance digestion, and top it all add flavor and color to food. Freshly cracked black pepper on your salad and it helps you absorb the nutrients readily. A pinch of turmeric works as an excellent anti-oxidant. Combined in the right proportions, spices lend their synergy to everyday meals.
Spices are the key to strengthening digestive fire or metabolism the very reason for heavier foods to have proper spicing.
Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Cardamom, Clove, Saffron, Coriander, Ginger,Nutmeg, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek and fresh herbs like Basil, Cilantro, Fresh Curry Leaves are invariable part of a typical Indian pantry.
It suggests use of plenty of spices and herbs in cooking. They are the heart and soul of an Indian kitchen, not only because they can turn an ordinary dish into a feast for the taste buds, but also because they possess immense medicinal healing properties, high in antioxidants, prevent cancer, lower cholesterol and blood sugar, improve memory, flush out toxins, enhance digestion, and top it all add flavor and color to food. Freshly cracked black pepper on your salad and it helps you absorb the nutrients readily. A pinch of turmeric works as an excellent anti-oxidant. Combined in the right proportions, spices lend their synergy to everyday meals.
Spices are the key to strengthening digestive fire or metabolism the very reason for heavier foods to have proper spicing.
Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Cardamom, Clove, Saffron, Coriander, Ginger,Nutmeg, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek and fresh herbs like Basil, Cilantro, Fresh Curry Leaves are invariable part of a typical Indian pantry.
Fuego Box
Spice, Spice City August 6, 2015
Hot sauce is generally one of the healthiest 'condiments' available. Low calorie, low or no sugar, less additives, etc. Ketchup usually has corn syrup. Mayo is fatty. As someone who runs a hot sauce of the month club, I'm not going to nitpick this article.
Ellaquince
Minneapolis August 10, 2015
I don't care what you eat, you are still gonna die.
Martha Rickey
Washington August 8, 2015
What in the heck is a reduced risk for death? We all carry a 100% risk for death and I get tired of reading that it is otherwise. Researchers and reporters, it would be much more helpful to phrase the results as a delayed risk for death, and report the numbers that indicate delayed for how long. I do like spicy food, after all.
hodaglove21
Minneapolis, MN August 8, 2015
Funny to see how many are quick to dismiss this study. Yes correlation doesn't mean causation but the author clearly pointed out that many many variables were controlled for... strongly pointing to causation.
Additionally, the size of the study is gigantic and surely way more than statistically significant.
Now stop complaining, stop being a baby, and go eat something spicy.
Additionally, the size of the study is gigantic and surely way more than statistically significant.
Now stop complaining, stop being a baby, and go eat something spicy.
Gene 99
Lido Beach, NY August 7, 2015
My bubbie put Cholula Hot Sauce on everything she ate and lived to 120. Who's to say?
B Rice
Northern California August 5, 2015
It's because spicy food makes you happy. Happy people live longer!
fast&furious
the new world August 7, 2015
I hate chili peppers and I'm not dead yet!!!
A
CA August 6, 2015
For the people who say that we all have 100% risk of death, please give the author(s) some benefit of the double. You have (near) 100% risk of death over an infinite time horizon (near 100% because you can't observe the whole population over an infinite inverval) but over a finite time horizon, say the duration of the study, it is going to be something less than 100%. To see this, consider that the chance/risk that a 20-year old dies in 7 years is perhaps less than a 90-year old dying in 7 years.
weetie
syracuse ny August 5, 2015
Not everyone who enjoys and indulges in spicy (hot) foods has that particular problem.
Frank
Maryland August 5, 2015
I have significant GERD, but hot, spicy food does not stir it up. Fatty food does.
Robbi
San Francisco August 5, 2015
Sounds great except for the nearly 25% of Americans with full blown or occasional Gerd :-/
JR
CA August 7, 2015
Who wants to live to 120 if it means spending most of your time in the bathroom?
M.Lou
Delaware August 7, 2015
Years ago, long before science delved into our eating habits defining what's good or bad for us, we were advised to eat more hot peppers by a relative, a practicing physician in Italy, because it's supposed to be good for the "blood, Hot peppers are extremely popular in some parts of Italy, including Abruzzo where our extended family resides, while some other regions use hot peppers sparingly, or not at all. We grow them, dry them and roast them, but don't eat them by themselves, preferring instead to place them on the pasta plate for that extra zing, and causes one to eat more pasta in efforts to soothe that burning sensation in the mouth. Crafty, eh?
Jones
Nevada August 7, 2015
I have never met a chili I didn't like.
pdxtran
Minneapolis August 7, 2015
Many years ago, I accidentally discovered that eating spicy food is a great way to ward off an oncoming cold.
I was feeling a bit under the weather, but some friends urged me to try out the new Szechuan restaurant down the street. I have always liked moderately spicy food, so I ordered "medium hot," which turned out to match most people's definition of "flaming hot."
I felt as if my head was exploding, but the cold I thought I was getting never materialized.
I was feeling a bit under the weather, but some friends urged me to try out the new Szechuan restaurant down the street. I have always liked moderately spicy food, so I ordered "medium hot," which turned out to match most people's definition of "flaming hot."
I felt as if my head was exploding, but the cold I thought I was getting never materialized.
koyaanisqatsi
Upstate NY August 5, 2015
If true, the massive amounts of hot pepper sauce that I consume could be the only thing keeping me alive at this point.
Lawrence DeVore
Minneapolis August 5, 2015
So I've got that going for me, which is nice.
A Goldstein
Portland August 5, 2015
The complex inflammatory response is the part of the body's immune system that keeps us alive when infections could easily kill us. It plays an important role but as we age, inflammation flares up against our own tissues, whether it's autoimmunity or just the reaction to aging tissue breakdown which releases pro-inflammatory substances.
Inflammation can and does lead to cancer and cardiovascular disease. I'll pass on the chili peppers but there are many other anti-inflammatory foods easily found online.
Inflammation can and does lead to cancer and cardiovascular disease. I'll pass on the chili peppers but there are many other anti-inflammatory foods easily found online.
Gary Valan
Oakland, CA August 5, 2015
If someone figured out a tasty recipe for hot chili coffee in the morning and a chili dessert my life would be complete. For years I have been a strong booster for hot foods and I slowly graduated from Thai red chile to Habanero to Naga Bhut Jolokia to Moruga Scorpion and now am facing the current mountain top, the Carolina Reaper. This is the holy grail of hotness and I am ready to take it for the team. I am glad that researchers have finally caught up to my personal experimentation. Thank you Dr. Lu.
India
Midwest August 5, 2015
I'm very surprised that respiratory diseases were lower in hot-food eaters, as those with respiratory diseases typically also suffer from GERD. Anyone with GERD knows to avoid spicy foods, no matter how delicious they are.
Yes, I'd like to see MUCH more data from clinical trials before I go back to eating spicy, hot foods!
Yes, I'd like to see MUCH more data from clinical trials before I go back to eating spicy, hot foods!
Raji
Belle Mead NJ August 7, 2015
If this is really true, majority of the South Asians who eat hot spicy food everyday should live longer than the rest of the world. I dont think thats true given the higher than normal heart problems in Indian subcontinet at a young age.
Andy Jin
California August 7, 2015
Learned something similar to this last year. Spicy stuff are usually very healthy for the body; the body notices the richness of nutrients and reduce pain received from spicy food over time.
Spicy isn't a flavor; it's actually just reception of pain. I guess this fully explains why the brain reduces pain (spiciness) over time.
Spicy isn't a flavor; it's actually just reception of pain. I guess this fully explains why the brain reduces pain (spiciness) over time.
MMc
Vermont August 7, 2015
The "risk of death" is 100% for 100% of people. So why not find a better way to describe the advantages of eating hot food that doesn't reference the miraculous?
Jagneel
oceanside, ca August 6, 2015
Finally a good news about good tastes. For years I was worried that any day now they are going to link spicy food with tumor or cancer what not. Whew!
Jon Harrison
Poultney, VT August 6, 2015
I believe there are studies showing that people who consume a lot of spicy food tend to get cancer of the esophagus and stomach more often than the rest of us. I wouldn't necessarily trust this study. I'm not sure that China's health studies necessarily follow all of the correct protocols.
BIg Brother's Big Brother
on this page monitoring your behavior August 5, 2015
.
is there enough benefit to counter the cigarette I light up after a good meal ?
.
is there enough benefit to counter the cigarette I light up after a good meal ?
.
David Courson
NC August 5, 2015
I think you are jumping to conclusions, Ann. Stomach cancer risk factors, as per the Mayo Clinic, do not include spicy foods. Stomach cancer rates are highest in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, but not all the high prevalence countries have spicy food rich diets. Indeed the most notable risk factors are a diet high is salty or smoked foods, foods contaminated with aflatoxin producing fungi, and smoking. Those are much more likely to be the culprit in China and other high risk areas of the globe.
Jon Davis
NM August 5, 2015
Eating Spicy Food Linked to a Longer Life by NICHOLAS BAKALAR
"Eating spicy food is associated with a reduced risk for death..."
Yeah! I love spicy food. So I will NEVER die! Instead I will get older and older, like the people in José Saramago's apocalyptic novel, "Death with Interruptions."
"Eating spicy food is associated with a reduced risk for death..."
Yeah! I love spicy food. So I will NEVER die! Instead I will get older and older, like the people in José Saramago's apocalyptic novel, "Death with Interruptions."
bobb
san fran August 10, 2015
This study, no doubt, funded by the association of spice growers.
Gert
New York August 8, 2015
@hodaglove21: Actually, I don't think that this strongly points to causation at all. For example, I could easily see unhealthy people avoiding spicy foods (perhaps it gives them heartburn, upsets their stomach, or causes some other unpleasant effect) so that spicy-food eaters tend to be healthier in the first place. In that case, spicy food would NOT be causative of any health benefit. This study is merely suggestive at best, at least as it is described in the article.
Austin Al
Austin TX August 7, 2015
The results sound interesting but possibly misleading. Surely eating too much spicy food can have negative effects on the GI tract. At what point does the positive benefit found turn south? Until more substantial research is conducted, I will stick to once or twice per week for my peppers or hot curry powder!
Scott
Santa Monica August 7, 2015
Here's to a spicy long life.
DrJ
PA August 7, 2015
Cause or effect? Hmm, let's see, am I more likely to eat spicy food when I feel well or when I don't? It seems to me that it is reasonable to conjecture that chronically ill folks will not choose spicy food as often as healthier folks.
Jussmartenuf
dallas, texas August 7, 2015
This is as irresponsible as an article can get. There is no mention of the balance of the diets eaten. There were no controls. Did the non spice eaters eat vegan meals or all sausage and cakes? Was the consumption of one group loaded with fat and junk food while the chili group ate only Tabasco?
Why bother to go on? Taken to it's extreme, eating peppers only could give you the life span of Methuselah? I don't think so, it could also give you esophageal cancer.
Why bother to go on? Taken to it's extreme, eating peppers only could give you the life span of Methuselah? I don't think so, it could also give you esophageal cancer.
Phil Rush
Kensington, MD August 7, 2015
The study did not appear to take into account the fact that the Chinese, as a population, consume a large amount of salt per day (~12 g/day). Based on my cooking experience, the use of hot spices in cooking eliminates the need to use a large amount of salt since the heat dominates the flavor. It would be interesting to know if the amount of salt added to spicy dishes was lower than for low or non-spicy dishes. Hot spices (e.g., chili pepper) may be a salt substitute, so the health problems associated with a high salt diet may be reduced for individuals that consume more spicy dishes per week.
Rachel Faye
Colorado August 6, 2015
I am always drawn in by these articles, but by the end they feel like "science-lite." The studies are sort of interesting, and generally not conclusive.
I remain a fan of sriracha - and might live 7.5 days longer because of it. But we'll need more research for that.
I remain a fan of sriracha - and might live 7.5 days longer because of it. But we'll need more research for that.
susie
New York August 6, 2015
I think eating a chili pepper would kill me immediately!
ez
Pittsburgh August 6, 2015
A while back my neighbor was an older Chinese gentleman. He refused to accept, when I offered them, peppers that I grew in my garden. In his limited English he said peppers were bad for the heart. Is his anecdotal knowledge as valid as the Chinese health study? Anyway, I use a lot of hot peppers in my cooking, including habanero which have a high level of capsaicin. I have a high tolerance for the hot stuff. Should I get a lower rate on my life insurance policy? On the other hand my wife can detect a tiny amount of hot pepper in food and refuse to eat any, so I fear for her health.
Moe Schmo
Overhere August 5, 2015
Than double the benefits of Spice.
Add spice to your sex life.
Add spice to your sex life.
Catherine Rice
Brooklyn August 5, 2015
Great, I love spicy food!
Ann
Berkeley August 5, 2015
the population studied in Chinese. Chinese have a very high rate of stomach cancer.
But we will be seeing food advertised as giving a longevity benefit. Just like all the other allegedly beneficial foods.
But we will be seeing food advertised as giving a longevity benefit. Just like all the other allegedly beneficial foods.
ayseak
anchorage, alaska August 5, 2015
Excellent news! combine those chiles with garlic, onions, ginger, and other spices, I bet the numbers get better. But the best thing, is how these ingredients make everything taste better!
marymary
DC August 5, 2015
I seem to recall reading somewhere that capsaicin is thought to induce apoptosis, encouraging sort of cellular suicide and, to the extent that excess cell proliferation is thereby curtailed, cancerous growth is inhibited. Amazing what the 'right ingredients' may be able to do.
Whether right or wrong, time for some spicy Szechuan food!
Whether right or wrong, time for some spicy Szechuan food!
Roohani
London August 19, 2015
Yes hot spicy but only the fresh kind...... and not from a bottle or packet as the image in this NYT article projects!
Nelly
San Francisco, CA August 12, 2015
I am the only one in my family who does not eat spicy food and the only one with health problems and living in the United States for the last 30 years. Everybody else lives in Mexico eating chiles.
me not frugal
California August 7, 2015
Flavonoids? Or high vitamin C content? Hot chilis can claim both. Or perhaps they enhance satiety?
skhalsa
west palm beach, fl August 7, 2015
Reduces one's risk for death? That is pretty healthy!
Albert
Connecticut August 6, 2015
Koreans eat Kimchee almost three times a day, Kimchee is quite spicy stuff, do Koreans live longer? I wonder. I do eat Kimchee every day at least twice. Food for thought!!
D. H.
Philadelpihia, PA August 6, 2015
SOME LIKE IT HOT Interesting that the Chinese should find a link between spicy food and longevity. I recall a study done in Mexico of the curative power of chicken soup that included chile. These findings are nothing to sneeze at. To which I say, Burn Baby, Burn!
Sbr
NYC August 6, 2015
Well, we'll wait and see!
But, for sure, being able to muscle into an habanero chili is great proof of masculinity and indeed spectacular femininity and of course gets all the best chemicals into overdrive.
The more subtle and sensuous Szechuan paper (花椒, huā jiāo) needs to especially studied because it exceeds all other peppers in inducing states of elation and passion.
But, for sure, being able to muscle into an habanero chili is great proof of masculinity and indeed spectacular femininity and of course gets all the best chemicals into overdrive.
The more subtle and sensuous Szechuan paper (花椒, huā jiāo) needs to especially studied because it exceeds all other peppers in inducing states of elation and passion.
MIMA
heartsny August 5, 2015
Saving a spot in the garden for chiles....Maybe they will keep the Japanese Beetles away too!
Eve
Boston, MA August 5, 2015
I'm curious if they mean spicy as in hot or spicy as in contains spices. I have a recipe for a delicious curry that uses almost every jar in our spice cabinet but it not "hot" at all. Conversely, I doubt that any dietician will take this as evidence that buffalo hot wings are a healthy food.
TNoel
Midwest August 5, 2015
I find this to be very true, i eat spicy food almost everyday and i feel great. I even went to the doctors last week and had a cardio exam, I was healthy as a horse. Indulge in the spicyness my friends!
sharmila mukherjee
August 5, 2015
On spicy food and longer life: Live long while enjoying intestinal furnace.
Leading Edge Boomer
Santa Fe, NM August 5, 2015
Good news for New Mexico chile producers. Accept no substitutes! Starting about now the supermarket parking lots are redolent with propane-powered chile roasters--buy a whole burlap bag of green chiles, get 'em roasted, clean off the skin now or later, and freeze in portions for the winter. Yum!
aspingarn
Boston, MA August 13, 2015
My almost 102 year old Mother has never eaten any spicy foods but her long-lived family, cooked and ate only homemade foods all their lives and she was always an avoider of butter and diary. Always althetic and very intelligent. She lived in NYC for over 90 years and lives in Boston now, however her own aschemic heart disease is rearing its ugly head.
Maureen Moss
California August 12, 2015
The reason people started using spices in the first place was to preserve foods, to counteract food borne pathogens, and to color and otherwise enhance the flavors of foods, as well as for purported medicinal value. Given the effectiveness of spices to do these things, a study of this sort needs to be conducted in other areas of the world. To say that eating spicy food is linked to a longer life is irresponsible. And if you look at the stats from this study, they aren't a particularly compelling argument for this conclusion.
L. A.
Panama August 12, 2015
It's amazing how out of touch with our own bodies we've become. As I see it, living a wholesome, long life goes beyond eating a bit of chili every week. This is a drop in an ocean of variables in the human body. The presentation of the percentages seem very deficient. Scientists seem in desperate need of a new view point. At the end of the day, a basic knowledge of the properties of the food we eat, common sense, moderation and listening to our own bodies opinion will give us the meaningful data of what we need.
john
pa August 8, 2015
I grow several kinds of chile peppers. The woman I buy the plants from is a super taster. I asked her which chile was her favorite. She informed me that as a super taster she couldn't eat chile.
Leading Edge Boomer
Santa Fe, NM August 7, 2015
A "bowl o' green" (green chile stew) works too.
reader
cincinnati August 7, 2015
Correlation does not imply causation.
FS
Alaska August 7, 2015
True, but you have to take into consideration that the pollution is some of the worst in the world, as is the poverty and lack of toilets. Probably if they fixed that they might live a long time.
tony
mount vernon, wa August 6, 2015
I've had a few near death "out-of-body" experiences after eating hot peppers.
peggopanic
New York, NY August 6, 2015
Many like to refute studies. I consume tons of hot sauce and chilies and would like to believe, as long as it doesn't hurt me and I enjoy it, then why not? No one is telling you to eat chilies. But for those who do, this is just an upside.
r a
Toronto August 6, 2015
Probably wrong.
This sounds like the kind of study Ioannidis is writing about (Why Most Published Research Findings Are False). Results become part of science when they are observed many times through many studies, when the effect size is reliably replicated and the effects of other variables and randomness have been thoroughly and indisputably eliminated.
A single study like this might be a jumping-off point for other researchers, which is fine, but it is irrelevant for the general public. There are hundreds if not thousands of purported results like this and anyone who tired to act on all of them would go nuts. Ignore.
This sounds like the kind of study Ioannidis is writing about (Why Most Published Research Findings Are False). Results become part of science when they are observed many times through many studies, when the effect size is reliably replicated and the effects of other variables and randomness have been thoroughly and indisputably eliminated.
A single study like this might be a jumping-off point for other researchers, which is fine, but it is irrelevant for the general public. There are hundreds if not thousands of purported results like this and anyone who tired to act on all of them would go nuts. Ignore.
foodsniffr
NYC August 6, 2015
Cayenne actually has pride of place in Western herbalism. Historically too, down the ages, it was a highly revered herb. It is said that despite the seeming heat of cayenne, it is actually anti-inflammatory for our bodies (as this article too points out).
I remember years ago going to a gastro doctor with severe GERD; I told him it was probably due to the excessively spicy foods I had earlier. He told me 'that does not cause this, we have stopped believing that a long time ago'.
- FoodSniffr
Www.foodsniffr.com
I remember years ago going to a gastro doctor with severe GERD; I told him it was probably due to the excessively spicy foods I had earlier. He told me 'that does not cause this, we have stopped believing that a long time ago'.
- FoodSniffr
Www.foodsniffr.com
Baltguy
Baltimore August 6, 2015
The price of an extended life can be more than it's worth--like having to endure the pain of ingesting this stuff.
bruce
San Francisco August 5, 2015
"just learned"? this is the funding acknowledgment in the journal article:
"Funding: This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81390541, 81390544), National Key Technologies research and development programme in the 12th five-year plan, Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (2011BAI09B01, 2012-14), Wellcome Trust in the UK (088158/Z/09/Z), and Kadoorie Charitable Foundation in Hong Kong. LQ is supported by National Institutes of Health grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL071981, HL034594, HL126024), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK091718, DK100383, DK078616), Boston Obesity Nutrition Research Center (DK46200), and United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (grant 2011036). LQ was a recipient of the American Heart Association scientist development award (0730094N). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, writing of the report, or the decision to submit the article for publication.
Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at http://www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare: no support from any organization for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organization that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years, no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work."
"Funding: This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81390541, 81390544), National Key Technologies research and development programme in the 12th five-year plan, Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (2011BAI09B01, 2012-14), Wellcome Trust in the UK (088158/Z/09/Z), and Kadoorie Charitable Foundation in Hong Kong. LQ is supported by National Institutes of Health grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL071981, HL034594, HL126024), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK091718, DK100383, DK078616), Boston Obesity Nutrition Research Center (DK46200), and United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (grant 2011036). LQ was a recipient of the American Heart Association scientist development award (0730094N). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, writing of the report, or the decision to submit the article for publication.
Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at http://www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare: no support from any organization for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organization that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years, no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work."
christine
seattle August 5, 2015
The researchers considered this possibility -- that's why they controlled for a number of variables linked to baseline health.
Statistical adjustment for confounders is not perfect, of course. Probably one of the many reasons why the authors concluded that more evidence is needed, preferably from a clinical trial.
Statistical adjustment for confounders is not perfect, of course. Probably one of the many reasons why the authors concluded that more evidence is needed, preferably from a clinical trial.
Freneticjester
Vancouver, Canada August 5, 2015
Chilies are oil based whereas wasabi is water based. Wasabi, horseradish and mustard does not normally contain capsaicin.
Chandler
IA August 5, 2015
Some supplement company will start making coated spice pills and market them for the naive. At this point, most of us have enough info to know a well balanced diet and exercise is good for you. All of these minute tweaks in our dietary habits aren't going to lead to immortality. Enjoy life, you won't live forever. Relish living past forty to fifty, because according to biology, the survival of the species doesn't get anymore benefits off of any years beyond that. You get passed a certain age and most likely you're more of a drain on the species than a benefit. I'm talking biology specifically, not the emotional and personal connection we have with those close to us.
Youngho
Seoul August 5, 2015
Very much plausible. Koreans, including myself, love to make food hot and spicy as much as possible. Many a Korean food, including Kimchi, are spicy. Koreans do not eat that many steaks as Americans because of economic availability (compare per capita GDP $60,000 for U.S. vs. $28,000 for Korea), but Koreans are less obese and live rather healthier life because Americans. After reading this article, I resolve to eat chili peppers more often.
Chris
Karta August 5, 2015
Perhaps healthy people, with healthy digestive systems, are better disposed to tolerate spicy food -- and being healthy, they live longer.
Not Sherlock
Someplace else. August 5, 2015
There is one thing the article/author has missed and was reported in NY Times as well as Scientific American, and, I would assume, the Journal Science. A study (or series of studies) found that capsaicin induced cancerous cells to commit suicide. A process called Apoptosis.
I read, a very long time back, in the 80's a book about preventing colon cancer, which my mother-in-law died of. Sold in one of those much maligned alternative healthfood stores. It was a small thin book, and I can't remember the title, but the author of that book, way back then, advised taking cayenne pepper supplements as a anti-cancer agent.
Gee!
I think further study will find that the stimulating and dilating effects of hot spicy food are what encourage better health results rather than those effects of other artery clogging, inflammation inducing foods.
Pass the Caaayen Peppa and Onyons, Please!
I read, a very long time back, in the 80's a book about preventing colon cancer, which my mother-in-law died of. Sold in one of those much maligned alternative healthfood stores. It was a small thin book, and I can't remember the title, but the author of that book, way back then, advised taking cayenne pepper supplements as a anti-cancer agent.
Gee!
I think further study will find that the stimulating and dilating effects of hot spicy food are what encourage better health results rather than those effects of other artery clogging, inflammation inducing foods.
Pass the Caaayen Peppa and Onyons, Please!
Nina
New York NY August 5, 2015
More weak epidemiological findings. One of the big problems of these Harvard data bases, despite the big numbers of particpants, is that they don't measure sugar consumption. Therefore, they cannot control for sugar consumption. Seems like a major impediment to getting accurate associations for outcome data, even if associations could be reliable. This kind of data should generate clinical trial research but should not be promoted to newspapers for public consumption.
James Li
Seattle January 28, 2016
Maybe eating spice food is related to drink more water?
Drinking more water is clearly good for health.
Drinking more water is clearly good for health.
Al&Mag
NYC August 11, 2015
Good ol' Granma Nietsche!
Alan White
Shanghai, China August 8, 2015
It doesn't appear to me that they've controlled for geographic location, though the study says it drew on populations from 10 diverse regions across China. Generally speaking, the areas where spicy food is a staple are in the less industrialized areas of southwest China, whereas milder fare is the norm throughout the heavily polluted cities in eastern and northeastern China.
Given that the 3 diseases negatively correlated to spicy food consumption (cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseasae) have well-established strong positive correlations to air pollution, I wonder if this might be confounding the research.
I say this as someone who experiences substantial gastric distress after eating spicy foods - so I'm hoping it's not true :)
Given that the 3 diseases negatively correlated to spicy food consumption (cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseasae) have well-established strong positive correlations to air pollution, I wonder if this might be confounding the research.
I say this as someone who experiences substantial gastric distress after eating spicy foods - so I'm hoping it's not true :)
Steve Galat
Hallandale Beach, Florida August 8, 2015
Well, there could be lifestyle and healthcare considerations at play, as well....it's not Switzerland or Monaco, after all. And neither is Detroit, Trenton or Liberty City (Miami)
Gert
New York August 8, 2015
@Leading Edge Boomer: I'm not sure whether you were trying to be snarky or just don't understand how the term "mortality rate" is used, but it is not 100% everywhere. Mortality rate is the percentage of a population that dies per unit of time, often expressed as the number of people out of 1000 who die per year.
Andrew Mirhej
Eugene August 8, 2015
Where did you get the data saying spicy food gives you esophageal cancer?
I'm a gastroenterologist and never see damage from spicy food in the GI tract.
Spicy food may cause you pain if you already have reflux esophagitis, but it doesn't cause cancer.
Perhaps this is surprising, but I'm happily surprised.
I'm a gastroenterologist and never see damage from spicy food in the GI tract.
Spicy food may cause you pain if you already have reflux esophagitis, but it doesn't cause cancer.
Perhaps this is surprising, but I'm happily surprised.
AL
Norfolk, VA August 8, 2015
Public health infrastructure, clean water, adequate nutrition, etc., are all factors that lead to longer, healthier life in developed vs. developing countries.
Idlewild
Queens August 8, 2015
Poverty, food insufficiency, poor sanitation, religious extremism and war will trump chili peppers every time.
Mnemonix
Mountain View, Ca August 8, 2015
Using etc. increases your risk of death.
pkbormes
Brookline, MA August 8, 2015
As the old grandmother used to say, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you strong".
ChristinaDMS2015
New Jersey August 6, 2015
I have heard this before so this article has caught my attention. I think it is very interesting to hear fun facts like this. My uncle has always liked to eat spicy foods and hot sauce for a very long time now, so I believe he will be living much longer than we would ever expect. I would like to learn more about this because it interests me a lot, and I always like to hear facts and articles like this. Some people already like to eat chilies, and have hot sauce with every dinner, and those who do that have an upside; they have the greater chance of living longer. Others who don't like to eat spicy foods have a downside, but it is a part of life and living longer can make you enjoy it even better. I also think there are many spicy foods out there that can help save lives, or have people live longer. There is always specialists researching more and more everyday. Personally, I think that eating spicy foods with every meal a month before you are expected to die, isn't going to work. I believe that having many spicy foods for a big part of your life and diet with most likely to help you reduce the risk by much more. So I have heard something like this a little while ago. Many things interest me, and I always like to learn new things like this. I always like to learn and share with other but, reading this article was very interesting to know about.
tony
mount vernon, wa August 6, 2015
the study is from Harvard University
dennis.ramda
Queens, NY August 6, 2015
There may be a correlation or truth to longevity/health/wellbeing and 'hard living' if, like me, one comes from an 'older' civilization. However, judging by current (scientific) standards and research, it will always be difficult or even impossible to prove. That is because the way that the older civilizations 'live' and current research are not part of the same course or...not on the same page. Think about it: research looks for instant or immediate findings or reasons. Whereas, older living came to what it is through trial, error and accident....most of which can take years, decades or mostly centuries. While a lot of what has come to be accepted in old societies may be false or not accurate or not "researchable", there are many other factors e.g. physical labor, exercise, calmness, extended or long routines (yearly crops, seasons, animal herding or breeding, festivals, etc. a lot of what we also have here) that must be considered as enhancers of longevity. Yes, I've lived in a society where 'plain foods' are consumed by, or along with, a whole or a piece of red or yellow very hot fresh pepper...(plain foods: rice/roti, roasted vegetable or boiled i.e. steamed vegetables, occasional fish or meat) and while "waking up one's taste buds" (as it is fondly referred to) may not be a wholesome cause for longevity, there is something in that type of living we need to consider
Henry
D.C. August 6, 2015
Maybe this could explain the "Hispanic paradox" where Hispanic/Latino people in the United States have lower or similar life expectancy than non-Hispanic whites in the US, despite having lower average incomes and education levels?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_paradox
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanic_paradox
Etymology fan
New York City August 6, 2015
Mark:
The article says in the headline "linked to," not caused by. The fourth paragraph notes that the authors "drew no conclusions about cause and effect." And finally, the author is quoted in the last paragraph as saying that we need clinical trials to confirm these observations.
So, what are you getting at?
The article says in the headline "linked to," not caused by. The fourth paragraph notes that the authors "drew no conclusions about cause and effect." And finally, the author is quoted in the last paragraph as saying that we need clinical trials to confirm these observations.
So, what are you getting at?
chameleon
belgium August 6, 2015
What would be really helpful is a study that distinguished between effects from dried versus fresh chilies!
walstir
Vancouver August 6, 2015
Is it the tougher constitution that allows someone to tolerate spicy foods that results in a longer lifespan or the spicy foods themselves.
Mary
August 6, 2015
Add chili peppers to a glass of red wine six or seven times a week to live long enough to see pigs fly?
Sivaram Pochiraju
Hyderabad, India August 6, 2015
Millions and millions of dollars have been wasted in America in the name of research for the reason that Americans and other Westerners simply don't believe in ancient culture and ancient wisdom.
For example, they have done endless research in finding out the benefits of using turmeric powder, garlic, onion, cloves, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon etc in food. However the benefits of all of these and other ingredients including all spices was already mentioned in detail in Ayurveda thousands of years ago.
Further Americans wasted millions of dollars in irrelevant researches on homework, benefits of children playing in mud etc, which could have easily been left to the wisdom of elders since their benefits were already proven in countries like India.
The precious funds could have been better utilised for doing research regarding the ill affects of various allopathy medicines including the side affects, impact of global warming etc.
For example, they have done endless research in finding out the benefits of using turmeric powder, garlic, onion, cloves, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon etc in food. However the benefits of all of these and other ingredients including all spices was already mentioned in detail in Ayurveda thousands of years ago.
Further Americans wasted millions of dollars in irrelevant researches on homework, benefits of children playing in mud etc, which could have easily been left to the wisdom of elders since their benefits were already proven in countries like India.
The precious funds could have been better utilised for doing research regarding the ill affects of various allopathy medicines including the side affects, impact of global warming etc.
dugggggg
nyc August 5, 2015
is the same kind of study that found that drinking red wine is also good for us?
derek
usa August 5, 2015
Hippocrates said 'let food be thy medicine'...
I suppose you know more than him?
I suppose you know more than him?
Grindelwald
Vermont, USA August 5, 2015
So can we assume that the people who wrote in about the risk-of-death "mistake" didn't read the second paragraph of the article?
Actually, I was pleased to see that the article was very careful to use the word "linked" instead of "caused".
Actually, I was pleased to see that the article was very careful to use the word "linked" instead of "caused".
alandhaigh
Carmel, NY August 5, 2015
This is a general study of capsaicin's effect on mortality. A substance can increase the chances of certain diseases but still be beneficial to ones overall health by suppressing more harm than it provokes.
Farmers exposed to high levels of pesticides live longer than the general public in better health with lesser incidence of cancer according to at least two very large epidemiological studies, but they get higher rates of prostate cancer.
In this case it was likely lifestyle that leads to the difference, not the ingestion of large amounts of pesticide, but the point is that studying the rate of specific cancers can be misleading in discerning the overall affect of substances on our metabolisms.
Farmers exposed to high levels of pesticides live longer than the general public in better health with lesser incidence of cancer according to at least two very large epidemiological studies, but they get higher rates of prostate cancer.
In this case it was likely lifestyle that leads to the difference, not the ingestion of large amounts of pesticide, but the point is that studying the rate of specific cancers can be misleading in discerning the overall affect of substances on our metabolisms.