Named a spice that protects against heart disease and cancer

British experts call paprika the spice of longevity and strongly recommend adding it to dishes. Such a supplement reduces the risk of heart diseases and has anti-cancer properties, say experts.

“When it comes to the leading causes of death worldwide, cancer and heart disease are at the top of their list. Pay attention to paprika – this spice made from dried Capsicum annuum pepper has properties that protect against the occurrence of dangerous pathologies,” the doctors shared their advice.

Speaking about the heart-healthy properties of paprika, they noted that its use helps reduce dangerously high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, which clogs arteries and causes atherosclerosis. Studies have shown that the carotenoid capsanthin it contains can increase the concentration of “good” HDL cholesterol, which acts as a blood vessel cleaner, freeing them from LDL cholesterol plaques. This was confirmed by tests involving animals and humans.

“To protect against heart disease, it is important to reduce the concentration of LDL in the body, while simultaneously increasing the level of HDL, which counteracts its harmful effects. The available data indicate that the use of paprika helps to solve this problem,” the researchers reported.

In addition, the well-known spice contains compounds that protect against the development of cancer. Several of its components, including beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, effectively combat oxidative stress. It is characterized by a violation of the balance between unstable free radical molecules and antioxidants. Such an imbalance can lead to damage to cells and tissues, provoke the development of inflammation, which increases the risk of certain types of cancer. In addition, scientists have established that paprika substances are able to inhibit the growth and survival of cancer cells, affecting the expression of several genes.

In particular, the spice has shown itself well as a means of protecting against the development of breast cancer. Its consumption by women helped to reduce the probability of the disease by 25-35 percent.

“Although there is no panacea for deadly diseases, there are good reasons for including certain foods in the diet. Paprika is definitely one of them. It deserves the right to be considered the spice of longevity,” the experts summarized.