A little fire in your belly is good for you: Eating spicy foods may help you live longer, according to researchers in China. People who reported eating hot stuff three or more days a week were 14 percent less likely to die in the next seven years, the study found.
The possible reason: Capsaicin, the key source of the peppers’ heat, may help regulate cardiovascular function and metabolism, protecting against heart disease and diabetes.
Hot Sauce Recipe
Turn up the heat and help your health by dousing your dinner with this capsaicin-packed hot sauce from Troy Guard, chef and owner of Denver’s TAG Restaurant Group. Serve on tacos, scrambled eggs, or chili—or whatever you want (like one of these 32 High-Protein Muscle-Building Meals.)
What You’ll Need
2 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
10 jalapenos, diced
1 peeled garlic clove
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Do This
1. Combine all the ingredients in a medium pot and boil for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, allow to cool, pour into a blender, and buzz until smooth.
3. Strain through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve into a lidded vessel.
Desire more fire? Fan the flames by adding 1 or 2 habanero peppers.
