A study titled “Effects of chili consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and energy metabolism“, conducted by graduate student Kiran Ahuja and Madeleine Ball, MD from Australia’s University of Tasmania has found a surprising effect of including cayene chili spice blends in meals.
36 healthy adults in their mid-forties were studied and the researchers sampled blood provided after the subjects ate two types of meals: one was a regular meal of burger, bread and a sugar drink while the other had the burger spiced with cayenne chili.
It was found that the spiced food showed a decrease in insulin spike as opposed to the bland food.
Why Insulin Matters
Here’s why insulin levels are important. Abnormally high insulin levels may be a sign of insulin resistance, in which the body falters in its ability to control blood sugar. Ultimately, that may lead to type 2 diabetes — the most common type of diabetes — and other health problems.
The researchers aren’t exactly sure how chili helped reduce post-meal insulin spikes. They note that capsaicin — the fiery chemical in chili — and chili’s antioxidants might play a role. Ahuja’s team calls for more studies on chili’s effects on insulin spikes.
-Via WebMD
While it has been known that moderate quantities of spicy foods like chili peppers increases metabolism in the short while, this is the first connection shown to insulin spikes in the body.
So spice up your food - if anything it will make you drink more water and these hot summer days demand that more than anything else to ensure a healthier, fitter, well-hydrated body!
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