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Are hot chilli peppers good for you?

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KDAhuja. et al. The effect of 4-week chilli supplementation on metabolic and arterial function in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Mar;61(3):442.
KDAhuja. et al. The effect of 4-week chilli supplementation on metabolic and arterial function in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Mar;61(3):326–33.
KDAhuja. et al. Effects of chili consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and energy metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):63–9.

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Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 September 2013

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In a nutshell

Chilli peppers contain capsaicin, for which there are specific receptors in nerves which not only transmit pain, but also initiate neuroendocrine responses.

Chilli has anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and anti-cancer actions. In the gut it is generally more protective than it is irritant. Capsaicin is also used as a ‘local anaesthetic’ for neuropathic pain.

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Brief Report
Information
Arbor Clinical Nutrition Updates , Volume 275 , April 2007 , pp. 1 - 4
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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