Capsaicin in some peppers, attacks cancer cells' mitochondria. They found capsaicin, an ingredient of jalapeno peppers, triggers cancer cell death by attacking mitochondria-the cells' energy-generating boiler rooms. The research raises the possibility that other cancer drugs could be developed to target mitochondria.
However, it is notable that, in modern Russian, a sauna is often called a Finnish Banya, though possibly only to distinguish it from other ethnic high-temperature bathing facilities such as Turkish baths referred to as Turkish Banya.
All in all, saunas appear safe for the body, but there is little evidence that they have health benefits above and beyond relaxation and a feeling of well-being, says Dr. Harvey Simon, editor-in-chief of Harvard Men's Health Watch.