Chilli Peppers Can Now Treat High BP

Disorders Cure

oi-Suparna Chakaraborthy

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Thursday, August 5, 2010, 12:24

Chilli Peppers are now the medicine for high blood pressure, claim a new research. The research on hypertensive rats has shown that the active ingredient that gives the peppers their heat—a compound known as capsaicin, leads blood vessels to relax.

"We found that long-term dietary consumption of capsaicin, one of the most abundant components in chili peppers, could reduce BP in genetically hypertensive rats," said Zhiming Zhu of Third Military Medical University in Chongqing, China.

The capsaicin present in capsicum works on 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, Zhu explained.

Zhu said that the study was first done to examine the effects of long-term treatment with capsaicin in rats with high blood pressure.

It isn't yet clear just how many capsaicin-containing chili peppers a day you'd have to eat to "keep the doctor away," although that's a question that should now be examined in greater detail, Zhu says.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.