Spicy Cuisines Can Intensify the Risk of Dementia

Love adding that extra kick of chili pepper to your meal? Consuming more than 50 grammes of the popular spice per day
Spicy food lovers may be at greater risk of dementia than those who prefer more bland foods. A 15-year study reveals those who ate more than 50 grams of chili a day had an increased risk of cognitive decline as they aged. The memory decline was more significant in those with a lower BMI.
Research ordain in a Chinese population has found an absorbing link between the consumption of chili peppers and a formidable risk of intellective decline.
The study of 4,582 Chinese adults aged over 55 found evidence of faster cognitive decline in those who consistently ate over 50 grammes of chili a day.
Memory decline was even more significant if the chili lovers were slim, according to the study published in the journal Nutrients.
The study, led by Zumin Shi from Qatar University, showed that those who consumed in excess of 50 grammes of chili a day had almost double the risk of memory decline and poor cognition.
“Chili consumption was found to be beneficial for body weight and blood pressure in our previous studies. However, in this study, we found adverse effects on cognition among older adults,” Zumin said.
Chili intake included both fresh and dried chili peppers but not sweet capsicum or black pepper, researchers said.
“Chili is one of the most commonly used spices in the world and particularly popular in Asia compared to European countries,” said researcher Ming Li from University of South Australia.
“In certain regions of China, such as Sichuan and Hunan, almost one in three adults consume spicy food every day,” Li said.
Capsaicin is the active component in chili which reportedly speeds up metabolism, fat loss and inhibits vascular disorders but this is the first longitudinal study to investigate the association between chili intake and cognitive function.
The China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) is continuing household-based cohort study organize in nine bailiwick in China between 1989 and 2011. Cognitive screen tests were conducted among those aged 55 and above in regular intervals between 1991 to 2006. The participants were asked to recall a 10-word list, counting backwards from 20 and doing some basic subtractions.
It is predicted that dementia affects about 50 million people globally. In 2017, approximately 9.5 million Chinese adults aged 60 years and above had dementia.

By – Tripti Varun
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