[CH] More evidence to support our habit.....
Linda Reynolds (lr21@cornell.edu)
Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:44:36 -0500
Fellow pods,
Not that we need more evidence but I subscribed to HEALTH magazine and as a
bonus, they sent me a free supplement called: 30 Foods that Fight Disease
and page 8 sez:
Hot Peppers:
In salsas and sauces, stir-fries and spicy drinks, chile peppers are more
popular than ever. Now researchers suspect that the hot stuff in peppers,
called capsaicin, may also extinguish carcinogens before they cause
trouble. A potent antioxidant, capsaicin prevents the deadly union of
nitrites and amines that forms nitrosamines.
Evidence that it works--
When researchers mixed pure capsaicin into a witches' brew of
nitrosamines, the carcinogenic substances were almost completely
neutralized. Capsaicin may also keep carcinogens found in cigarette smoke
from locking onto DNA, possibly preventing the genetic damage that can lead
to lung and other cancers.
What else is good--
The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin in contains. Jalapenos are
better than canned green chiles; fiery Thai peppers are better still.
Additional Benefits--
German researchers have found that by stimulating the flow of digestive
juices, capsaicin seems to shield the stomach lining against damage from
acids and alcohol. There's also good evidence that capsaicin can lower
blood pressure. Add that to the fact that chiles are also loaded with
vitamins A and C, and you've got plenty of reason to turn up the heat.
(nice half page picture of a selection of peppers)
I ain't no researcher but I'm figgerin' I got me a regular ole' medicine
cabinet growing out in my back yard......and some of it may just protect my
stomach lining from all the summer beer....can't get much better than that!
Linda in Upstate NY
...growing some killer cayennes....took a nibble off'n a green long one
last week and almost made my head explode...can't wait for the Habs and
Thais!