Chillies could be a magic ingredient in the fight against flab. Chillies could be a magic ingredient in the fight against flab. Research shows that capsaicin, the compound which gives the peppers their zing, makes fat cells self-destruct. In laboratory experiments, the effect occurred at levels of chilli that would be found in the stomach of someone who ate one or two curries a day. Chilli is already thought to speed up metabolism, aiding weight loss. The results, reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, add to a weight of evidence on the health benefits of capsaicin. Studies have shown it can cause prostate and pancreatic cancer cells to kill themselves. It also helps prevent and heal stomach ulcers. This is because it blocks acid production, stimulates alkali and improves blood flow in stomach tissue. Experts claim that other research shows that gastric ulcers are three times less common in countries where large numbers of chillies are eaten. In addition to all this, chillies have anti-inflammatory properties and scientists hope to use capsaicin to create a pill to treat swelling in arthritis sufferers. Ancient cultures used the spice as an antiseptic and to treat cholera and bronchitis. It is thought the burning sensation of the chilli pepper is an evolutionary ploy to stop mammals eating them. The latest study was conducted in Taiwan. 点击查看更多双语新闻 (Daily Mail)

红辣椒对于消除体内脂肪具有神奇功效。 研究表明，使辣椒味道刺激的辣椒素可以使脂肪细胞“自我毁灭”。 实验表明，每天吃一至两份含有红辣椒的咖喱菜才可起到这一作用。 此前有研究显示，红辣椒可以加快新陈代谢，对减肥有一定好处。 这项发表在《农业和食品化学期刊》上的最新研究结果进一步说明，辣椒素对健康有很多益处。 研究发现，辣椒素可以使前列腺癌和胰腺癌的癌细胞自我毁灭，还能够预防和治疗胃溃疡。 这主要是因为辣椒素能够抑制体内酸性物质的产生、促进碱性物质的分泌、并能加快胃部组织的血液循环。 有关专家称，有研究显示，大量食用辣椒的国家胃溃疡的发病率要低三倍。 此外，红辣椒中含有消炎物质，科学家们希望能利用辣椒素来研发一种可以治疗关节炎患者关节红肿的药物。 在古代，辣椒还被用作防腐剂、治疗霍乱和支气管炎。有人认为，辣椒味道刺激，这可能是辣椒保护自己不被哺乳动物吃掉的一种“进化”的策略。 这项最新研究是在台湾进行的。 （ 英语点津姗姗编辑）