Cancer is one of the leading causes of death around the world. Experts in the field of medicine are still in search for the best and most effective treatment for this disease that doesn't have any harmful side effects. More than a decade ago, there was a breakthrough study in fighting cancer cells by using some chili peppers.
According to The World's Healthiest Foods, in Sept. 4, 2002, a study by Numsen Hail Jr. and Reuben Lotan, PhD, of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston revealed that capsaicin and resiniferatoxin, naturally occurring compounds that are found in the inner membranes and seeds of hot chili peppers are cancer killers. These compounds are classified as naturally occurring phytochemicals called vanilloids.
This was proven through an experiment where skin cancer cells were exposed to these compounds and after 12 long hours, the cancer cells began to self-destruct. Exposure to these compounds have increased the hydroperoxide which is a destructive free radical. Capsaicin and resiniferatoxin breaks the cancer cell membranes which causes the cancer cell to die.
As posted by Munchies, in 2006, another study related to this discovery was done in mice subjects. Capsaicin kills prostate cancer cells and inhibits its growth in mice. In addition to this good news, capsaicin is non-damaging to non-cancerous cells which is very safe to use.
According to experts, if this will be applied to humans, the amount of capsaicin intake would nearly be impossible. Humans would have to ingest ten fresh chili peppers in a week to make it similar to the mice test. Even with just few jalapenos or habaneros would make you feel like breathing fire and would surely cause a burning sensation in your mouth that will last for hours.
It has been reportedly said that the study about this discovery is still ongoing. A lot of people are surely hoping that this would be the answer to most uncurable cancer diseases.
