The cheapest fruit in Vietnam prevents cancer cells from metastasizing

According to a new US study, the compound capsaicin - the hot substance in chili peppers and many other spices - may help slow the spread ofLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Most cancer-related deaths occur when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis.

“Lung cancer and other cancers often metastasize to secondary sites such as the brain, liver or bone, making them difficult to treat,” said Jamie Friedman, a doctoral candidate who conducted the study. “Our research suggests that the natural compound capsaicin from chili peppers could be a new therapy to combat metastasis in lung cancer patients.”

Lung cancer can spread to many other parts of the body.

In experiments involving three lines of cultured human lung cancer cells, the researchers observed that capsaicin inhibited invasion, the first step in metastasis. They also found that mice with metastatic cancer who consumed capsaicin had smaller areas of metastatic cancer cells in their lungs than untreated mice.

Additional experiments revealed that capsaicin suppresses lung cancer metastasis by inhibiting the activation of the protein Src, which plays a role in signaling that controls cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, motility, and adhesion.

“We hope that capsaicin could one day be used in combination with other chemotherapies to treat a variety of lung cancers,” Friedman said. “However, clinical use of capsaicin will require overcoming its unpleasant side effects, including gastrointestinal irritation, stomach cramps, and a burning sensation.”

The compound capsaicin in chili peppers may prevent the metastasis of lung cancer.

Researchers are working to identify capsaicin analogues that are less irritating while still retaining capsaicin’s anti-tumor activity. They are also trying to identify natural capsaicin-like compounds that have anti-cancer activity.

Experts from Oxford University (UK) and Harvard Medical School (USA) also concluded that people who eat spicy food every day or once every other day have a 14% lower risk of premature death from disease, especially cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, compared to people who eat spicy food less than once a week.

Other benefits of chili:

- Good for digestion: Vitamin C is also beneficial for digestion. In addition, foods that produce saliva while chewing are also good for digestion, and chili peppers are among them.

- Losing weight:Green peppers are rich in antioxidants and have zero calories. In fact, green peppers can boost your metabolic rate by up to 50% for 3 hours after eating, thereby helping boost your weight loss efforts.

- Helps treat colds and sinus infections:The capsaicin in chili peppers irritates the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses, making them effective in fighting colds and sinus infections.

- Blood sugar control: YesGreen chillies are recommended for people with diabetes because the compounds in this chilli are really effective when it comes to blood sugar control.