If you enjoy spicy foods, eat up -
you may be helping your blood pressure. Capsaicin, the compound that adds the
spicy zing to hot peppers, appears to help lower blood pressure. Animal
research suggests that long-term consumption of capsaicin helps relax blood
vessels by increasing production of nitric oxide, a molecule known to protect
blood vessels against inflammation and dysfunction (the primary function of
nitric oxide is really vasodilation). While follow-up studies will be needed to
see whether capsaicin works as well on blood pressure in humans, other studies
indicate that capsaicin may enhance the metabolism of fat, and help inhibit
inflammation. Even if you don't like spicy food, capsaicin has something to
offer - a topical application can help minimize symptoms of shingles and
eczema, and reduce aches from arthritis
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