Consumption of chilies, but not sweet peppers, is positively related to handgrip strength in an adult population

卷:20

Wu, H. ; Wei, M. ; Zhang, Q. ; Du, H. ; Xia, Y. ; Liu, L. ; Wang, C. ; Shi, H. ; Guo, X. ; Liu, X. ; Li, C. ; Bao, X. ; Su, Q. ; Gu, Y. ; Fang, L. ; Yang, H. ; Yu, F. ; Sun, S. ; Wang, X. ; Zhou, M. ; Jia, Q. ; Zhao, H. ; Song, K. ; Niu, K.

Tianjin Med Univ

关键词: Muscle strength;    chili;    consumption;    frequency;    capsaicin;   

DOI  :  10.1007/s12603-015-0628-3

学科分类：食品科学和技术

【 摘 要 】

Chili consumption may have a beneficial effect on muscle strength in the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between frequency of chili consumption and handgrip strength in adults. Population-based cross-sectional study. This study used baseline data from the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health Cohort Study. A total of 3 717 subjects were recruited to the study. Frequency of chili consumption during the previous month was assessed using a valid self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the relationship between muscle strength and frequency of chili consumption. Handgrip strength was measured using a handheld digital dynamometer. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, significant relationships were observed between different categories of chili consumption and handgrip strength in males, the means (95% confidence interval) for handgrip strength across chili consumption categories were 44.7 (42.1, 47.2) for < one time/week; 45.5 (42.9, 48.1) for one time/week; and 45.8 (43.3, 48.4) for a parts per thousand yen 2-3 times/week (P for trend < 0.01). Similar results were not observed with sweet pepper consumption. This study reveals a positive correlation between frequency of chili consumption and muscle strength in adult males. Further studies are necessary in order to determine whether there is a causal relationship between chili consumption frequency and muscle strength.