BBC News reports on research that indicates the component in
peppers that makes them spicy, capsaicin, may kill cancer cells.
At least in petri dishes. Apparently capsaicin attacks the
mitochondria in cancer cells but doesn't affect normal cells
(the main function of mitochondria is to produce energy for
cells). Researchers tested it in cultures of lung cancer and
pancreatic cancer cells. While the research doesn't indicate
that eating spicy food will cure or prevent cancer, it couldn't
hurt. Relatively speaking. That reminds me. It's time to plant
my Ghost Pepper and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion seeds. [Link]