Healthy Tips

Long-term ‘peppers’ intake reduces blood pressure


Doctors at Third Military Medical University in Chongqing, China, have found that long-term dietary consumption of capsaicin, basic component of chilly peppers, could reduce blood pressure by causing blood vessels to relax. The doctors say the findings in rats have been confirmed in humans through epidemiological analysis.

According to a study reported in the August issue of Cell Metabolism, there were already some clues: the prevalence of hypertension is over 20 per cent in North-eastern China compared to 10 to14 per cent in South-western China, including Sichuan, Guozhuo, Yunnan, Hunan, and Chongqing.

According to the study, those effects depend on the chronic activation of something called the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel found in the lining of blood vessels. Activation of the channel leads to an increase in production of nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule known to protect blood vessels against inflammation and dysfunction.

Lead researcher, Dr. Zhiming Zhu, said: "We found that long-term dietary consumption of capsaicin, one of the most abundant components in chilly peppers, could reduce blood pressure in genetically hypertensive rats."

The study is not the first to look for a molecular link between capsaicin and lower blood pressure. However, earlier studies were based on acute or short-term exposure to the chemical, with some conflicting results.
Zhu said their study is the first to examine the effects of long-term treatment with capsaicin in rats with high blood pressure.

For those who cannot tolerate spicy foods, there might still be hope. Zhu noted the existence of a mild Japanese pepper, which contains a compound called capsinoid that is closely related to capsaicin.

Before now, several studies have found chilly peppers to lower risk of type 2
diabetes, prevent stomach ulcers, help stop prostate cancer, boost immunity, clear
 congestion, boost heart health, induce pain relief, fight inflammation, and trigger weight loss. 


Researches have also demonstrated how the basic ingredient in chilly peppers,
 capsaicin, may cause weight loss and fight fat build-up by triggering certain
 beneficial protein changes in the body. 


Researchers have also shown how chilly pepper-rich diet can prevent breast cancer and fight microbes. The researchers suggest that the discoveries could lead to new
 treatments for obesity, cancer and drug-resistant microbes.