Dr. La Puma turns up the heat with a chili recipe that may help fight cancer. By making your nose run, the hot and spicy chili pepper can prevent chronic sinus infections. And it's all thanks to capsaicin, the active ingredient in the chili pepper that makes your mouth feel like it's on fire. Studies show that capsaicin has cancer fighting health benefits. And it can help to kill the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers.