Objective To explore the impact of spicy eating habits on blood pressure in Southwest China

so as to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of hypertension.Methods A total of 33 939 residents who underwent health check-up at a tertiary hospital in Southwest China in 2015 were included in this analysis.After matching

the blood pressure of the population with spicy eating habits was compared with that of the population with other eating habits.Results Totally 899 residents reported spicy eating habits

and most of them（721）were at a young age.After stratification by gender

age and body shape

both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were statistically comparable between the population with spicy eating habits and that with salty eating habits（P>0.05）.The systolic blood pressure of middle-aged or elderly male residents who had spicy eating habits was statistically higher than that of male residents of the same age group who had light or sweet eating habits（P<0.05）.Conclusion The blood pressure of the population with spicy eating habits is similar to that of the population with other eating habits.The blood pressure-lowering effect of spicy food remains uncertain and needs to be validated in more population-based studies.