Tip 41: Add some chilli to your meals

EATING chilli regularly could help in the fight against insulin resistance and obesity, according to new Australian research.

In a comparison of bland versus chilli-laden meals, researchers from the University of Tasmania’s School of Human Life Sciences found that a few spoonfuls of chilli reduced the post meal surge in insulin, particularly in overweight people.

People with resistance to the actions of insulin have an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome, fatty liver and certain cancers.

The study found that in overweight subjects, changes to a range of glucose metabolism measures following chilli meals were more marked than those seen in normal weight subjects.