PEOPLE’S PHARMACY

Hot health news: Capsaicin may help lower your blood pressure.

Q: What’s the best way to introduce capsaicin to my diet? I’m interested in the fact that it may help with blood pressure issues. I currently take lisinopril. Would cayenne pepper pills help?

A: There is increasing research showing that capsaicin improves endothelial function, a fancy way of saying it increases blood vessel flexibility (Open Heart, June 17, 2015). That can lower blood pressure. In addition, its action on a transient receptor potential channel, TRPV1, reduces inflammation in the lining of the blood vessels (Atherosclerosis, May 2017).

If you enjoy the taste of hot chili peppers, you could add salsa or hot sauce to your meals. If you don’t, you might want to take cayenne pepper pills.

Q: I am going in for simultaneous knee replacements soon. I had to find something to stop my nighttime trips to the bathroom so I don’t fall.

Your idea of eating raisins seems to be working. I eat 10 in the morning and 10 at night, and I’ve slept better than I have in years.

A: We have heard from a surprising number of readers that eating raisins in the evening can reduce bathroom trips at night. We have no idea why this might work.

Some people report that beets also are helpful for reduce urination at night. That may be because compounds in beets help relax smooth muscle.