University of Tasmania researchers seek 35 volunteers for a study that will test if chillies can curb lifestyle-related diabetes. The Tasmania researches seek subjects with Type 2 diabetes or glucose intolerance.

A study showed that chili consumption can help lower the heart rate and reduces the amount of insulin needed to control blood sugar, but the study was done on healthy people. The new study will determine whether chili consumption is equally, if not more, effective on people who suffers from diabetes or are glucose intolerant.

Researcher Sibella King said: "What we're hoping is that people with diabetes, or people who are glucose intolerant, it'll prove to be more beneficial for them in terms of controlling their blood sugar and this in turn leads to, we hope, a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors."

"What we've seen in previous studies of people who are healthy, is that chilli was able to reduce the amount of insulin needed to control the blood sugar and it was able to reduce the heart rate."

The subjects of the study will eat their normal diet, with 30 grams of chili paste included on their daily meals.

Those interested in the study can contact, Dr. Kiran Ahuja ((03) 6324 5478; email kiran.ahuja@utas.edu.au) or Ms. Sibella King ((03) 6324 3688; email sibella.king@utas.edu.au)