Turns out that hot peppers can improve your heart health and slim down your waistline too. A large study recently published found that people who ate more red-hot chili peppers were generally less likely to die over the study period of almost 2 decades. The spicy component of red peppers, capsaicin, is the main player in the anti-aging game. It helps promote blood flow and increases metabolism. It also helps protect against infection and has been associated with inflammation and various diseases.

Many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, are actually linked to a core issue with dysfunctional inflammation. Peppers, like many other plant foods, have phytochemicals that help reduce inflammation. Besides eating red chili peppers, you can also enjoy cayenne, jalapeno, and tabasco peppers too. These foods all contain high levels of capsaicin.