Heavily Spiced High-fat Meals Are Less Unhealthy

Triglycerides -- compounds in the bloodstream that store unused calories -- are one measure of overall heart health (anything under 150 mg/dL is considered normal).
New research indicates that spicy food can help cut the level of triglycerides in the blood, even when the meal itself is high in fat. The study asked healthy but overweight men to eat a control meal, measuring their triglyceride levels, and then fed them the same meal a week later, but loaded with antioxidant spices; the results showed a one-third drop in triglyceride levels. Antioxidant spices, such as cinnamon, turmeric and paprika also decreased insulin response by about 20% and increased antioxidant activity in the blood by 13%.