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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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11

Chili Peppers Could Help Heart Attack Victims

Capsaicin found to reduce cell damage in mice

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(Newser) – Capsaicin, the chemical that makes chili peppers so spicy, could turn out to be the newest—and oddest—heart drug, the Wall Street Journal reports. Scientists applied the chemical to the abdominal skin of mice then induced heart attacks; their hearts suffered 85% less cell damage than the mice treated with a placebo, possibly because capsaicin activates nerves linked to the spinal cord, which then trigger survival-oriented nerves in the heart muscle.

The chemical that makes chili peppers hot could also help during a heart attack.
The chemical that makes chili peppers hot could also help during a heart attack.   (Shutterstock)
The chemical that makes chili peppers hot could also help during a heart attack.
The chemical that makes chili peppers hot could also help during a heart attack.   (Shutterstock)
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11 comments
VIEWING:
 
godawgs
Sep 22, 09 9:32 AM CDT
and if you can get them chili's from Hatch, New Mexico are the best. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
muleskinner
Sep 22, 09 7:51 PM CDT
Deming are better
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
paul123
Sep 22, 09 9:44 AM CDT
Is there anything they can't do :-) Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
paul123
Sep 22, 09 10:51 AM CDT
I got a minus for that!!!! Somebody's hatin' on chili peppers!!!
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
Doctor_Zaius
Sep 22, 09 9:45 AM CDT
I love me some hot food. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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