One immediately thinks of Latin Americans who supposedly eat a lot of spicy foods. But other societies do the same. Korean Kimchi has a real wallop and other foods are similar. As for me, I frequently indulge and hope there is some serious truth in this study.
Only one in ten patients is still alive five years after their diagnosis because the illness has often spread elsewhere, figures suggest.
It is not the first time researchers have found capsaicin – a form of vanilloid – has cancer-fighting properties.
Scientists say it triggers a cell receptor called TRPV1 which controls which substances the cancerous growth can feed on.
As it fights to battle this, the growth eventually self-destructs. As more and more cancer cells die, the tumour is stopped from growing larger.
Other experiments have found the family of compounds capsaicin belongs to can kill cancer cells by attacking their powerhouse, the mitochondria.
But experts have repeatedly warned that it is unlikely just eating lots of spice alone could help to combat any form of cancer.
More @ Spicy food could offer hope in tackling cancer | Daily Mail Online
