Chili Peppers: How It May Help Fight Cancer

Chili peppers are mainly used to improve the taste of any meal. This spice can be cooked or powdered and dried. It has a primary component known as capsaicin, the compound that gives red peppers its spicy flavor as well as its numerous health benefits. Chili pepper is one of the most powerful medicinal plants in the world because it is anti-inflammatory, relieves pain and heart troubles, lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes, benefits the digestive tract, fights flu, cold, and fungal infections prevent allergies and help speed up metabolism to aid weight loss.

Chili Peppers Against Cancer

Chili peppers can be a potential natural remedy for fighting cancer. Its capsaicin and antioxidants can kill cancer cells in prostate cancer and leukemia, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. This effect is mainly attributed to the chili pepper’s high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

When it comes to prostate cancer, capsaicin works by triggering a depletion of the primary types of cancer cell lines thus reducing the growth of prostate cancer cells. Capsaicin has also been shown to induce cell death and inhibit cancer cell growth in several types of cancer, including colon, breast, and pancreatic cancer.

Moreover, in a study, Jamie Friedman, a doctoral researcher in Dasgupta’s lab, and colleagues, found that capsaicin stopped metastasis in lung cancer by blocking the activation of the Src protein — a protein that is key in regulating the proliferation, survival, and motility of the cells.

Friedman says:

“Our study suggests that the natural compound capsaicin from chili peppers could represent a novel therapy to combat metastasis in lung cancer patients.”


Ways Of Incorporating Chili Peppers Into Our Diet

If consumed properly, chili peppers can give our body more health benefits. Here are some of the ways to make chili craze work for our bodies.

Try sprinkling a little into a salad, sandwich, or favorite dish.

Consume chili peppers in tea. All we need is lemon, cinnamon, chili pepper, and a dash of Cayenne pepper and water.

Make some watermelon and chili ice pop. In making this refreshing snack, all we need is honey, basil, chilies, and watermelon.