Today we explore the relationship between chili pepper and cognition and dementia, mainly referring to a study involving 4,582 adult Chinese residents over a 15-year follow-up analysis, the results of which were published in the May 2019 issue of the journal Nutrition.
The importance of cognitive function
Cognitive function refers to the ability of the human brain to process information, including memory, attention, language comprehension, and decision-making. With the aging of the global population, the incidence of cognitive impairment, especially dementia, is gradually increasing, which directly affects the quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, it has become an important area of research to study how controllable factors such as diet affect cognitive function.
Capsicum pepper and its active ingredient capsaicin
Chili peppers are a widely used condiment around the world, especially in Asian countries. Capsaicin, the main active ingredient in chili peppers, has been shown to have several health benefits, such as reduced mortality, reduced obesity, and reduced risk of high blood pressure. However, the effects of capsaicin on cognitive function remain controversial, with some studies pointing to its potential to promote cognitive function, while others suggesting that it may be neurotoxic.
Using data from CHNS, the researchers recorded participants' chili intake in detail and assessed their cognitive function with cognitive screening tests in 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2006. After adjusting for socioeconomic status, lifestyle and other factors, it was found that the overall cognitive function of individuals who consumed a large amount of chili peppers (more than 50 grams per day) for a long time was significantly lower than that of the control group that did not consume chili peppers. In addition, those with high pepper intake were 2.12 and 1.56 times more likely to report poor memory and memory loss, respectively.
At the same time, the study also observed that the link between chili intake and cognitive decline was more pronounced in people with a low body mass index (BMI). This means that for people with lower body weight, excessive consumption of chili peppers may have a greater impact on cognitive function.