While the associations are promising, Xu says researchers are unclear exactly why chili peppers are linked to lower mortality rates. They’re also unsure how many chili peppers, how often, and which variety people need to eat for these benefits.
“Therefore, it is impossible to conclusively say that eating more chili pepper can prolong life and reduce deaths, especially from cardiovascular factors or cancer,” he adds. More research is necessary to validate the findings and explain the connection.
Since chili pepper is relatively harmless (depending on your spice threshold, that is), adding it to soups, pastas, salads, and of course, chili, could be an easy way to absorb some of the fruit’s potential longevity-enhancing benefits.