Chili Peppers May Lower Blood Pressure: This Week on AOL Health

If you don't typically like spicy food, you may want to give it another try, because research has found that chili peppers could have the power to lower blood pressure.

Researchers from China pointed out that hypertension rates are higher in areas where the locals eat more mild flavored food and lower in regions where hot, spicy food is abundant.

The active compound capsaicin that gives chili peppers their kick also causes blood vessels to relax, which could be the explanation for the health benefits. The study appears in this month's issue of the journal Cell Metabolism.

Visit AOL Health to see the entire story on this "hot" topic and discover a sweet alternative that could have similar health effects.

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