If you don't eat chili peppers or hot curry much you may want to reassess that. New research claims the peppers and curry can play a role in reducing the risk of colorectal and bowel tumors, as well as extend a person's life span by 30 percent.
The study claims the active ingredient in chili peppers, called dietary capsaicin, decreases the cancer risk as it triggers chronic activation of an ion channel called TRPV1, which is a sensory neuron that protects the intestine against acidity and spicy chemicals.
"These are all potentially harmful stimuli to cells," explained Eyal Raz, M.D., professor of medicine and senior author of the study. Researchers have described TRPV1 as a molecular pain receptor.
The cancer risk impact is tied to how TPRVI is activated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which drives cell growth in the stomach and intestines.
"A basic level of EGFR activity is required to maintain the normal cell turnover in the gut," first author Petrus de Jong, M.D., of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, said. "However, if EGFR signaling is left unrestrained, the risk of sporadic tumor development increases."
In the study mice that were modified to be deficient in TRPV-1 showed much higher rates of tumor growth in the intestines.
"These results showed us that epithelial TRPV1 normally works as a tumor suppressor in the intestines," added de Jong.
"Our data suggest that individuals at high risk of developing recurrent intestinal tumors may benefit from chronic TRPV1 activation," Raz concluded. "We have provided proof-of-principle." It was published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
In essence, adding chili peppers and hot curries to the diet can not only lower the risk of bowel cancer but the foods can extend life and even boost memory, according to the research.
The peppers and curry intake can also help burn off calories more easily, and earlier research indicates capsaicin lowers blood pressure.
"Chronic ingestion of compounds that affect TRPV1 such as capsaicin might help prevent metabolic decline with age and lead to increased longevity in humans," said University of California researcher Andrew Dillin.
But of course, too much of a specific food can bring on other issues, note the researchers. Too much may cause weight gain, which in turn ups the risk for bowel cancer.
