Here's a compelling reason to continue our love affair with chilli-infused food.

Researchers at China's Third Military Medical University have found that a compound contained in chilli peppers, known as capsaicin, has the effect of relaxing blood vessels.

Rats with hypertension were given a diet high in capsaicin and were found to have lower blood pressure over time.

The findings, published in Cell Metabolism journal, shows that capsaicin can trigger an increase in production of nitric oxide -- a gas-like molecule which has the ability to protect blood vessels against inflammation.

However, further studies are needed to determine the level of chilli consumption per day to bring health benefits to humans.

High blood pressure often has little to no warning signs and is a major risk factor in heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

According to a recent government study, the condition affects 49 per cent of Australian men and 44 per cent of women aged 55-64.

This compares with 7 per cent of men aged 25-34 with high blood pressure and 3 per cent of women in the same age group.