Good news for fans of pepper soup! According to a recent study by Semaniuk et al. (2022) using chili peppers on a daily basis—whether in soup or another recipe—extends life.

In fact, phenolic compounds found in chili pepper fruits have structural similarities to compounds with anti-aging characteristics.

The median lifetime of fruit fly cohorts of both genders was considerably enhanced by 9% to 13% when chili powder was introduced to diet at concentrations of 0.04%-0.12%.

However, male cohorts’ lifespans were 9% shorter when fed diet laced with 3% chili powder.
An review of diet and mortality data from four major, international studies suggested that eating chili peppers may lower the relative risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 26% (American Heart Association, 2020).

When compared to individuals who never or very infrequently ingested chili peppers, those who consumed them were linked to a 25% decrease in deaths from all causes and a 23% decrease in deaths from cancer.

My attention was drawn to the Nigerian pepper soup and the light soups with spicy Ghanaian ingredients by these studies. For example, a 2019 study by Jiang TA discovered a correlation between regular spicy food consumption and a decreased chance of dying from respiratory system disorders, ischemic heart disease, and cancer.

It is currently unknown, nevertheless, exactly what function spices and herbs serve in maintaining health, particularly in terms of preventing the onset of chronic, non-communicable diseases.

The Nigerian pepper soup, for example, is a rush of natural flavors and spices that arouse your taste buds and satisfy your appetite. It can be cooked using a variety of meats, including fish, poultry, turkey, and even our nutrient-rich.

The study conducted by Adegoke et al. (2015) assessed how consumers perceived the gastronomic, social, and health benefits of pepper soup. The reasons for consuming pepper soup, the kind of pepper soup that is favored, the social setting in which it is consumed, the preferred beverage accompaniment for pepper soup, and the kinds of food that are preferred as an accompaniment to pepper soup were all determined using a structured questionnaire.

It assessed how people felt about the purported health advantages of the ingredients in pepper soup as well. According to the survey, respondents primarily ate pepper soup once a week or occasionally as a way to unwind (55.8%) and enjoy themselves (68.3%).

About 90.2, 85.9, 90.2, and 92% of the participants said they liked the flesh components in their pepper to be catfish, goat meat, chicken, and cow tail, respectively.

Viscose or light, peppery and spicy, and light or dark brown were the favored color, texture, and flavor. 97% and 65.8% of the respondents said they liked hot or warm pepper soup, respectively.

While 75.9 and 90.7% of respondents preferred non-alcoholic beverages as accompaniments, such as carbonated beverages, juices, or mineral water, the respondents (66.3 and 79%) preferred to have their pepper soup with beer and wine.

It appears that pepper soup may not be consumed for its perceived medicinal value, as the majority of respondents (60.5 ± 8.52%) disagreed strongly that pepper soup held most of the health advantages associated with herbs, spices, and other elements of pepper soup.

The components used in the making of pepper soup typically determine its nutritional value. There is evidence that the spices and condiments used have therapeutic benefits.

A nutritious and healthful dish, pepper soup is full with nutrients. The soup is a wonderful source of protein and is low in fat and calories.

Additionally rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, and vitamin C is pepper soup. Pepper soup has many health benefits, but it’s also a tasty and simple dish to prepare. You can use yams, goat meat, or chicken to make the soup. You can also season pepper soup to your liking.

A 2022 Tribune story by Eunice Olaleye stated that a Dr. Heben’s team scientific analysis on DrHealthBenefits.com concluded that the soup does aid in heart rate regulation.

Additionally, it aids in blood pressure regulation and prevents abnormally high or low readings. Stated differently, it aids in blood pressure stabilization.

Because pepper soup is an antioxidant, it also offers the medical benefit of warding off free radicals that may lead to cancer (Nwose EU, 2009; Agbor et al. 2019).
You can get rid of a cold and cough with pepper soup. It also offers a number of other therapeutic benefits that you should be aware of.

The soup’s suitability for the chilly weather was also disclosed by the author. A bowl of hot, spicy pepper soup is a must-have for body warmth. It benefits both parties. In addition to enjoying your pepper soup, you also feel your body getting warmer.

The elements in pepper soup are what make it nutritious, claims youmustgethealthy.com. In addition to tasting good, unripe plantains, fresh catfish, cow skin, beef, or goat meat can all be found in pepper soup. These ingredients also provide antioxidants.
One approach to make sure you’re getting enough nutrients and staying hydrated is to eat pepper soup. It’s so spicy that you usually need to drink a lot of water.

Key Takeaways

From the literature, pepper soup made with local spices has many health benefits.  Also, theAmerican Heart Association(2020) also revealed that the consumption of peppers or hot spices may reduce the relative risk of cardiovascular disease mortality by 26%, according to an analysis of diet and mortality data from four large, international studies. Chili pepper consumption was associated with a 25% reduction in death from any cause and 23% fewer cancer deaths, compared to people who never or only rarely consumed chili pepper.

With this information, lovers of hot spices can add them to their diets in any form to improve their health.

NB:

Prof. Nyarkotey has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to justify his write-ups. My articles are for educational purposes and do not serve as Medical advice for Treatment. I aim to educate the public about evidence-based scientific Naturopathic Therapies.

The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, and a science writer. E. mail: [email protected].