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Capsaicin: Turn Up the Heat

A fiery phytonutrient

by Kelley Herring  

Research shows capsaicin - the phytonutrient responsible for chili peppers' fiery bite - may help to decrease appetite and increase satiety, boosting weight loss efforts.

This fiery phytonutrient may also prove useful in cancer prevention. Research in animals shows capsaicin causes both prostate and liver cancer cells to self destruct, a process known as apoptosis.

Topically, capsaicin relieves pain by "burning out" certain nerve cells, making them incapable of transmitting pain signals. It also stimulates the release of endorphins which are pain-blocking hormones and mood enhancers.

Because capsaicin is located in the soft, seed-bearing ribs inside chili peppers, the capsaicin (and the heat) that ends up in a recipe can be decreased by removing some or all of the ribs and seeds when you prepare the chilies.

Kim, J. A., Kang, Y. S., Lee, Y. S. A phospholipase C-dependent intracellular Ca2+ release pathway mediates the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 human hepatoma cells.Arch Pharm Res. 2005 Jan;28(1):73-80.

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