Chinese researchers have reported that the compound capsaicin found in hot chilli peppers helps relaxing the blood vessels, and thus controlling the blood pressure.

Initially, the study was applied on rats in which they were provided with a diet rich in capsaicin, and found a greater reduction in blood pressure over time.

It has been concluded that ingredient activates receptor the channel found in the lining of blood vessels, which increases the amount of nitric oxide that protect blood vessels against inflammation and dysfunction.

But, researchers limit the number of chilies that should be consumed because large amount of it can be harmful.

The study, which has been published in the Cell Metabolism journal reported that in Southwestern China, where the residents eat hot and spicy foods with lot of chilli peppers are less affected with hypertension as compared to those in northeastern China.

Some parts of rural China, where chillis are part of the diet, have lower rates of heart disease and hypertension compared to the provinces with milder diets.