Are Chile Peppers Linked to Skin Cancer?

Scott Roberts September 3, 2010 at 9:00 am food Digg this Article

Chile Peppers I've come across this interesting article from the Times of India website:

"A new study has linked capsaicin, a component of chili peppers, to skin cancer.

"Capsaicin, widely consumed worldwide in foods that contain chili peppers, is also used in topical creams for pain relief and its role in cancer development is controversial.

"Capsaicin has been shown to induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. However, research findings have also shown that it can also act as a carcinogen, especially at the tumor promotion stage.

"Ann Bode from University of Minnesota said that the possibility capsaicin induces inflammation and may affect cancer development is a critical result of the study.

"'Most notably, the results raise concerns that a natural compound found in hot peppers used in over-the-counter topical pain remedies might increase skin cancer risk,' said Bode, who led the research team on this study along with colleagues Mun Kyung Hwang and Zigang Dong.

"The study has been published in the cancer journal, 'Cancer Research.'"

Source link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Chili-peppers-linked-to-skin-cancer/articleshow/6484590.cms

Comments

Dave DeWitt
2010-09-03 16:30:09

I've seen this kind of negative and sensationalistic report time and time again over the last 25 years I've been covering chiles, and every time it proves to be false. Just remember that the coffee-is-bad-for-you and coffee-is-good-for-you "scientific" reports have been going on as long I can remember. And for coffee, substitute alcohol, eggs, or whatever. These are researchers trying to get attention with usually flawed studies. Read my report on a classic BS cancer report at http://bit.ly/cmMmOi

Jim at HotSauceAddicts.com
2010-09-06 18:41:15

I couldn't agree more Dave! This kind of crap reporting has got to stop and doesn't do any good. Plus, I would be heart broken if I had to reduce my intake of the "hot stuff"! What a boring and tasteless world that would be!

jon whaley
2010-09-07 20:55:59

The report doesn't say that eating hot peppers or hot sauce causes cancer but rather when people use Capsacin-type of skin creams. The repeated use causes inflammation, which damages cells which MAY lead to cancers.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?newsid=199950

Better safe than sorry.

Matt Kay
2010-09-07 23:53:41

I agree with Dave. Every food gets it's turn in the sensationalist's spotlight. First eggs were bad, then the were good, then just the yolks were bad and then they found that the yolks have an enzyme that helps eliminate cholesterol... History is my experimental proof.

People have been eating chiles, eggs, coconut, coffee etc. for thousands of years. Over and over again "they" find something in our food that is detrimental to our health.

"What you're eating for dinner right now could kill you. News at 11" I think it's life that tends to kill us.

Jay Calvert
2010-09-09 05:59:07

I am more concerned about that twinkie I ate 15 years ago.

Add Your Comment:

* Name:
* E-mail:
Website:	Please include "http://" in your website address.
Leave blank:
	Notify me about new comments on this page Hide my email
* Comments:
*Captcha:	=
	(Please wait a minute or two after hitting "submit" for your comment to appear)