Is chili peppers reliable in fighting cancer?

Chili peppers fight cancer? Chili peppers cause cancer? Both theories exist, what is the truth? However, considering the advice of most doctors to cancer patients to "eat a light diet and not eat too spicy", it sounds like chili peppers can have a negative impact on cancer patients. But there is no evidence behind empty words

Chili peppers fight cancer? Chili peppers cause cancer? Both theories exist, what is the truth? However, considering the advice of most doctors to cancer patients to "eat a light diet and not eat too spicy", it sounds like chili peppers can have a negative impact on cancer patients. But there is no evidence behind empty words. This article will delve into the relationship between chili peppers and cancer in detail.

Why is chili peppers so spicy?

The core component of chili peppers, capsaicin, accounts for about 70% of chili peppers.Many people may think that spiciness is a sense of taste, but in essence, spiciness is a sense of pain.Because the receptor that capsaicin acts on the human body is called TRPV-1, TRPV-1 is a true pain receptor and is distributed throughout the body. This receptor can produce pain and burning sensation when stimulated by capsaicin. In addition, capsaicin can also cause the human body to release a pain relieving substance - endorphin. Caffeine can not only relieve pain, but also create a joyful feeling. So in the end, chili peppers not only make people feel spicy (actually painful), but also make people feel "cool" and addicted, truly achieving pain and happiness.

Can chili peppers really fight cancer?

The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, in collaboration with Oxford, conducted a study in China focusing on the relationship between chili peppers and the occurrence of gastrointestinal tumors (esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer). This study included 500000 people, and through long-term follow-up (median follow-up time of 10.1 years), the results showed that,People who eat spicy food every day have a 19%, 11%, and 10% lower risk of developing esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colon cancer compared to those who hardly eat spicy foodIf combined with not smoking or drinking alcohol, the risk of developing these three types of cancer decreases more significantly. In addition, research has also shown thatCompared to those who do not eat spicy food every day or occasionally eat spicy food, those who eat spicy food every day have a 31% lower risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer.

Meanwhile, in vitro experiments have shown (at the cellular level) that capsaicin can induce tumor cell apoptosis and make tumor cells more sensitive to treatment, even inhibiting cancer cell metastasis.

So, can chili peppers really fight cancer? Don't rush to draw a conclusion yet.A study from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that capsaicin can alter the gut microbiota, disrupt the intestinal barrier, and ultimately promote cancer metastasis. The one thing we always say is that talking about toxicity without considering dosage is playing hooligans. So let's take a look at how much capsaicin was given to mice in this study: 300mg/kg. If converted to a 60kg person, it would be approximately 18g of capsaicin per day,Converted to chili peppers, it is approximately 3.6kg chili peppers!Who can eat over 7 kilograms of chili peppers a day? In 2006, researchers from Pennsylvania State University conducted an in vitro study that showed that capsaicin can reduce some apoptosis genes in breast cancer cells, which may enhance the proliferation ability of breast cancer cells. Of course, the dose is also a problem.

Do you want chili peppers or not?

From the above research, it can be seen that there is still some controversy over whether chili peppers can fight cancer or promote cancer, and there is no very clear conclusion.However, from the current perspective, it is not a problem to eat in moderation. There is no need for us to intentionally eat more spicy food or refuse to eat spicy food because of these studies. We can take it as a normal attitude. Usually, if you like to eat, eat some. If you don't like to eat, don't eat. After all, in life, only food and love cannot be let down.But for people with gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastrointestinal ulcers, severe gastritis, etc., whether to eat less or not, whether to not eat or not to eat.

From the internet

PS: This article is only for science popularization and not as a basis for diagnosis and treatment

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