Spicy foods are good for heart health, according to a new study.
Scientists have found that the ingredients of hot pepper help reduce high blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, hot peppers are believed to have potential in protection against cardiovascular disease.
The study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong focuses on the capsaicinoids contained in hot red pepper.
Scientists have concluded that the ingredients are beneficial in improving a number of factors related to heart and blood vessel health.
The research team observed the effect of taking capsaicinoids through food. The results show that the ingredient helps lower blood pressure and levels of "bad" cholesterol.
Researchers have also found that capsaicinoids block the action of a gene that is thought to restrict blood flow to the heart and other organs.
However, experts warn not to overdo the amount of hot peppers consumed. A good diet is a matter of balance, says lead researcher Dr. Zhen-Yu Chen.
Another study, from the University of Nottingham, showed that capsaicin, found in spicy foods, helps kill cancer cells.
Capsaicin is the active substance in hot pepper, which provokes irritation of the receptors in the oral cavity and causes the sensation of hot.
Laboratory studies show that capsaicin binds to proteins in the mitochondria of tumor cells and causes apoptosis, cell death.
Because the biochemical processes that take place in the mitochondria of tumor cells differ from those that occur in healthy somatic cells, capsaicin induces apoptosis in cancer cells only. At the same time, the substance does not affect the development of healthy cells.