Researchers found that Eating spicy food may curb unhealthy cravings for salt, leading to lower blood pressure in a new study.
Chinese subjects who enjoyed spicy foods appeared to eat less salt and have lower blood pressure, potentially reducing their risk of heart attack and stroke.
Fans of spicy foods might be doing their hearts a favour by adding more heat to their meals.
Approximately 75 million adults in the US have raised readings – also known as hypertension – which affects 16 million people in the UK.
For decades, public health officials have warned that the over consumption of sodium (a major component of table salt) can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.
And the link between spicy and salty foods could be traced all the way to the brain.
The results showed that areas of the brain stimulated by salt and spiciness overlapped, and that spiciness further increased brain activity in areas activated by salt.
Spicy food may trick the brain into perceiving that the person is tasting a salty food
The study enrolled 606 Chinese adults and determined their preferences for salty and spicy flavours. Researchers then linked those preferences to blood pressure.
They found that, compared to those who least enjoyed spicy foods, participants with a high spicy preference:
- Had 8 mm Hg lower systolic (upper) and 5mm Hg lower diastolic (bottom) blood pressure numbers; and
- Consumed less salt than participants who had a low spicy preference.
The team also used imaging techniques to look at two regions of the participants’ brains – the insula and orbitofrontal cortex – known to be involved in salty taste.
As all the participants were from China, the researchers said further study is needed to determine if the findings may be generalised to other countries.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300mgs a day – equivalent to one teaspoon salt – and an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults.
So, don’t control yourself from having spicy food. Consume good amounts of salt and spices. Excess or shortage of consumption of anything is not good for health.