A new study on the link between chili and dementia ( 痴呆) may bring bad news for spicy food addicts. Researchers have found that eating lots of chili may cause an increased risk of dementia.
The study, led by Shi Zumin, analyzed 4,582 Chinese adults aged 55 and above between 1991 and 2006 and found evidence of faster cognitive decline in those who consistently ate more than 50 grams of chili a day. "Chili consumption was found to be beneficial to body weight and blood pressure in our previous studies. However, in this study, we found negative effects on cognition among older adults," Shi said in a press release published
"Chili is one of the most commonly used spices in the world and particularly popular in Asia compared to European countries," Li Ming from the University of Southern Australia said in the press release. "In certain regions of China, such as Sichuan and Hunan, almost one in three adults consumes spicy food every day.
The researchers said people of normal body weight maybe more sensitive to chili intake and hence their memory and weight suffer a bigger impact. Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common form that may contribute to 60 percent to 70 percent of the cases, according to the World Health Organization. At present, no treatment can cure dementia or change its progressive course.
