Recent study revealed that capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their fiery flavor can also help in relieving joint and muscle pain. Study indicated that capsaicin flips on nerve-ending receptors that sense both pain and heat.
Lead researcher, Feng Qin, an associate professor at the university's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said: "The receptor acts like a gate to the neurons. When stimulated it opens, letting outside calcium enter the cells until the receptor shuts down, a process called desensitization."