The Nottingham University study features in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications and it showed that the family of molecules to which capsaicin belongs - the vanilloids - bind to proteins in the cancer cell mitochondria to bring about cell death, without harming the surrounding healthy ones.
The scientists tested the capsaicin on cultures of human lung cancer cells and on pancreatic cancers.
Leader of the study team Dr Timothy Bates said: "As these compounds attack the very heart of the tumour cells, we believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental 'Achilles heel' for all cancers."
The fact that capsaicin and other vanilloids are already commonly found in food such as peppers, shows they are safe to eat and Cancer Research UK recommends reducing the risk of getting the disease by eating a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of vegetables and fruit.
