lower blood pressure but we understand that earlier studies have been based on the acute or short-term exposure to the chemical, rather than long-term treatment with capsaicin.  We must also reiterate that this research was undertaken in China on rodents with high blood pressure!

Researchers said further analysis was needed to confirm the findings in humans, which in a way we find midly amusing, given that the phenomenon has been known by herbalists for ages and the poor rats could have avoided their involuntary participation in the research!    We’re dealing with peppers here folks; not radio active cyanide!  Why practice on rats when there are millions of humans available?

Isn’t it great when science meets up with common custom and practice and "non-believers" can stop thinking of you as a crank!

There are plenty of articles dealing with the chilli pepper phenomenon on the site of one of our sponsors.  Definitely worth a read, especially if you are partial to the odd chilli pepper!  Just use the "Search" box at the top of their Home Page and punch in "Cayenne".