Spicy food could curb salt cravings, says new study

People who enjoy spicy foods tend to eat less salt and have lower blood pressure, according to a study.

Blood pressure has been linked to the amount of spicy foods people eat.

Those eating more spicy foods appear to eat less salty foods.

Reducing the amount of salt in the diet also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Spicy foods made people more sensitive to salt, so they could enjoy foods with less of it, the scientists said.

“Previously, a pilot study found that trace amounts of capsaicin, the chemical that gives chilli peppers their pungent smell, enhanced the perception of food being salty,” said senior study author Zhiming Zhu.

“We wanted to test whether this effect would also reduce salt consumption.”

The researchers analysed the eating habits of 606 Chinese adults, and found out whether they preferred salty or spicy foods.

They compared their preferences to blood pressure.

Those that ate more spicy foods had an 8mm lower systolic, and a 5mm lower diastolic blood pressure.

Those who didn’t like spicy foods as much ate more salt, the researchers from the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing, China, revealed.

Spicy food-lovers were more sensitive to salt, they added.

“If you add some spices to your cooking, you can cook food that tastes good without using as much salt,” said Zhu.

“Yes, habit and preference matter when it comes to spicy food, but even a small, gradual increase in spices in your food may have a health benefit.”

Further studies were needed to confirm whether the findings would be similar for all other nationalities, outside of China.

Agencies/Canadajournal