Chillies could be a magic ingredient in the fight against fat.

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 China.

辣椒是對抗肥胖的一劑良藥

研究表明,辣椒素及含有辣椒的復合物可以殺死脂肪細胞。

有實驗顯示,一個人一天吃上一兩個辣椒,保持這樣的攝入量,他的胃里就會發生上述反應。

辣椒被認為可以加快新城代謝并有助于減肥。

《農業與食品化學》期刊稱,這一研究結果進一步證明了辣椒素的保健功能

有研究證明,辣椒素可以殺死前列腺癌和胰腺癌的癌細胞,并可以預防與治療胃潰瘍。

這是因為辣椒素可以在胃部組織抑制酸性物質的產生,激發堿性物質的產生并能夠促進血液的循環。

據專家稱,有實驗表明,在大量食用辣椒的地區,胃潰瘍的發病率比其他地區要低3倍。

除此之外,辣椒還具有抗炎性,科學家希望能夠運用辣椒素發明一種消除關節炎患者脹痛的藥。

古時候,人們用辣椒作為抗菌劑來治療霍亂和支氣管炎，他們認為辣椒帶來的灼燒感可以防止細菌侵蝕患者,并認為這是一種先進的方法。

中國臺灣最近研究。