Want to do something good for your heart? How to heat things up...

If you like hot, spicy food here’s some really good news...

Chinese researchers have determined that the compounds found in chile peppers are good for the heart and can boost cardiovascular health. They tested their theory on some unsuspecting hamsters. One group got the hot stuff on a regular basis for six weeks. At the end of the trial, the hot hamsters were in much better shape with lower cholesterol and healthier aortic arteries than the others. 

If you’re not used to cooking with peppers and would like to work some into your diet, here are some pointers from pepper expert Dave DeWitt:

* If you want just a little spiciness: Use a jalapeño pepper—and the larger it is, the less hot it will tend to be.

* If you want medium spiciness: Use cayenne powder or fresh New Mexican chiles, such as the “Big Jim” variety, but be sure to roast them and peel off the tough skins.

* If you want a very spicy experience: Use a habañero pepper—and the smaller it is, the hotter it will tend to be.