Red Pepper

The cayenne (red) pepper contains capsaicin, a substance with healing and preventative properties, according to qualityhealth.com.

Capsaicin has been widely studied for its pain-reducing effects. It can help treat nerve damage and ease pain on joints for people suffering from arthritis and psoriasis. Capsaicin also effectively opens and drains congested nasal passages.

A recent study shows that when capsaicin is used to fight pancreatic cancer, it slows the growth of cancer cells and caused some of them to die.

Cayenne and red chili peppers help reduce cholesterol. Statistics show that cultures that often eat spicy foods have a lower rate of heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.