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.

辣椒是对抗肥胖的一剂良药

研究表明,辣椒素及含有辣椒的复合物可以杀死脂肪细胞。

有实验显示,一个人一天吃上一两个辣椒,保持这样的摄入量,他的胃里就会发生上述反应。

辣椒被认为可以加快新城代谢并有助于减肥。

《农业与食品化学》期刊称,这一研究结果进一步证明了辣椒素的保健功能

有研究证明,辣椒素可以杀死前列腺癌和胰腺癌的癌细胞,并可以预防与治疗胃溃疡。

这是因为辣椒素可以在胃部组织抑制酸性物质的产生,激发碱性物质的产生并能够促进血液的循环。

据专家称,有实验表明,在大量食用辣椒的地区,胃溃疡的发病率比其他地区要低3倍。

除此之外,辣椒还具有抗炎性,科学家希望能够运用辣椒素发明一种消除关节炎患者胀痛的药。

古时候,人们用辣椒作为抗菌剂来治疗霍乱和支气管炎，他们认为辣椒带来的灼烧感可以防止细菌侵蚀患者,并认为这是一种先进的方法。

中国台湾最近研究。