What are the two ingredients that together fight cancer

Ginger and chili don't just add spice and flavor to your favorite dish—they can also help prevent cancer. A recent study found that popular spices have properties that significantly reduce the chances of mice developing lung cancer due to their ability to bind to a receptor that is also responsible for tumor growth.

According to a study published online in the Journal of Agricultural And Food Chemistry, capsaicin, a compound in chili peppers, and 6-gingerol, a component in ginger, may work together to reduce cancer risk, possibly because ginger binds to capsaicin to form a super potent compound that inhibits key receptors for tumor growth.

For the study, researchers fed lung cancer-prone mice either capsaicin or 6-gingerol alone or in combination with each other for several weeks. During the study period, all of the mice that received only capsaicin developed lung tumors, while only half of the mice fed 6-gingerol did. Only 20 percent of mice that received a combination of the two went on to develop cancer.

Two powerful spices you need in your diet

1. Benefits of ginger

While ginger and chili may have cancer-preventing abilities together, the two spices are also impressively powerful. For example, ginger contains chromium, magnesium, and zinc, which help maintain healthy and normal blood flow. In addition, the American Pregnancy Association recommends the consumption of ginger in various forms, such as tea or jam, to help limit morning sickness caused by pregnancy, and researchers at Columbia University say that ginger combined with bronchodilator drugs can help to relax the smooth muscles of the respiratory tract.

2. Benefits of chili pepper

As for chili, capsaicin, the same compound that gives chili peppers their hot taste, also inhibits the brain's pain transmitter, which can help reduce headaches and prevent inflammation. In addition, hot pepper contains 108 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin C per tablespoon, which can help improve the immune system.