Cayenne Pepper Powder

Cayenne Pepper Powder (fruit)

Cayenne peppers belong to a family of flowering plants and are closely related to jalapeño, bell peppers and paprika. This thin red pepper has a deceptively mild smell but it is loaded with capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne peppers which gives them their powerful fiery taste as well as medicinal properties. Cayenne peppers boast an impressive nutrition profile, which includes vitamins A, E, C, K and B6, fiber, protein, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, and a variety of potent antioxidants that are beneficial for your health.

Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

The following are among the extensive, science-backed health benefits of cayenne pepper:

Helps Lose Weight

Including cayenne pepper in your diet or taking it in the form of supplements can help you shed a lot of pounds. Studies show that cayenne pepper helps burn more calories and fats by increasing the amount of heat your body produce, boosting your metabolism and reducing your food intake. In one study, people who ate a breakfast containing capsaicin burned 51% more calories during that meal compared to those who didn’t.[1] Another study also found that people who took capsaicin supplements had reduced food intake throughout the day compared to those who didn’t take any.[2]

Improves Digestive Health

Cayenne pepper may provide many benefits for your digestive system. For instance, one study found that cayenne pepper may help prevent and treat ulcers by inhibiting acid secretion and increasing gastric mucosal blood flow.[3] The study also found that the capsaicin in cayenne pepper stimulates neurons in the stomach and signals for protection against injury causing agents. Another study also found that cayenne pepper increases the production of digestive enzymes, which helps digest food properly.[4]

Relieves Pain

Capsaicin in cayenne pepper has potent pain-relieving properties when applied to the skin. According to one study, capsaicin helps relieve pain by reducing the amount of substance P, a hormone that transmits pain signals to the brain.[5] Other studies also show that capsaicin skin cream is effective for relief of joint and muscle pain, lower back pain, postoperative pain, and nerve pain.[5-6]

Alleviates Symptoms of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by patches of red, itchy and scaly skin. Currently, there is no cure for this debilitating condition. However, studies show that capsaicin creams can help relieve itching and improve the appearance of the affected skin of people with psoriasis.[7-8]

Fights Cancer

The capsaicin in cayenne peppers shows promise in lowering one’s risk of cancer. Studies show that capsaicin exerts its anti-cancer properties by attacking many different pathways involved in cancer cell growth and reproduction, and by inducing programmed cell death of malignant cells.[9-10] In addition, a 2006 study also found that capsaicin prevented prostate cancer progression by suppressing the production of certain proteins that fuel cancer cell growth.[11]

Lowers Blood Pressure

A 2015 study suggests that capsaicin in cayenne pepper has vasodilatory effects.[12] This means that capsaicin has the ability to widen blood vessels, thereby improving blood circulation and lowering blood pressure.

Improves Blood Sugar Levels

Cayenne pepper can also be beneficial for diabetics. A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that eating capsaicin-rich foods can improve blood sugar levels of patients with type 2 diabetes by improving the body’s response to the hormone insulin.[13]

Improves Cholesterol Profile

A 2006 study published in the West Indian Medical Journal suggests that taking cayenne pepper supplements in doses of two to three capsules three to four times daily can help improve cholesterol levels.[14] Researchers found that patients who took the supplement had increased fecal excretion of cholesterol and reported no adverse side effects during the treatment period.

Ramps up Sexual Power

Cayenne pepper and other spicy foods have been long used as potent aphrodisiacs. In fact, there is strong scientific evidence that capsaicin in cayenne pepper may help improve sexual function in men. According to a 2010 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology, administration of capsaicin in men with low libido can induce harder and longer erections, which improves overall sexual function.[15] Researchers believe that this effect is attributed to capsaicin’s vasodilatory effect, which boosts blood circulation within the penis.

References:

1. Clegg ME, Golsorkhi M, Henry CJ. Combined medium-chain triglyceride and chilli feeding increases diet-induced thermogenesis in normal-weight humans. European journal of nutrition. 2013; 52(6):1579-85.
2. Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Smeets A, Lejeune MP. Sensory and gastrointestinal satiety effects of capsaicin on food intake. International journal of obesity (2005). 2005; 29(6):682-8.
3. Maji AK, Banerji P. Phytochemistry and gastrointestinal benefits of the medicinal spice, Capsicum annuum L. (Chilli): a review. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine. 2016; 13(2):97-122.
4. Winter J, Bevan S, Campbell EA. Capsaicin and pain mechanisms. British journal of anaesthesia. 1995; 75(2):157-68.
5. Chrubasik S, Weiser T, Beime B. Effectiveness and safety of topical capsaicin cream in the treatment of chronic soft tissue pain. Phytotherapy research: PTR. 2010; 24(12):1877-85.
6. Groninger H, Schisler RE. Topical Capsaicin for Neuropathic Pain #255. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2012;15(8):946-947. doi:10.1089/jpm.2012.9571.
7. Bernstein JE, Parish LC, Rapaport M, Rosenbaum MM, Roenigk HH. Effects of topically applied capsaicin on moderate and severe psoriasis vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1986; 15(3):504-7.
8. Shenefelt PD. Herbal Treatment for Dermatologic Disorders. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 18. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761/.
9. Bode AM, Dong Z. The two faces of capsaicin. Cancer research. 2011; 71(8):2809-14.
10. Surh YJ. More than spice: capsaicin in hot chili peppers makes tumor cells commit suicide. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2002; 94(17):1263-5.
11. Mori A, Lehmann S, O’Kelly J. Capsaicin, a component of red peppers, inhibits the growth of androgen-independent, p53 mutant prostate cancer cells. Cancer research. 2006; 66(6):3222-9.
12. McCarty MF, DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH. Capsaicin may have important potential for promoting vascular and metabolic health. Open Heart. 2015;2(1):e000262. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2015-000262.
13. Ahuja KD, Robertson IK, Geraghty DP, Ball MJ. Effects of chili consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and energy metabolism. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2006; 84(1):63-9.
14. Jainarinesingh J. Herbs that Ensure Good Health and Longevity. The West Indian Medical Journal. 2014;63(1):90-91. doi:10.7727/wimj.2013.153.
15. Lazzeri M, Barbanti G, Beneforti P, Turini D. Intraurethrally infused capsaicin induces penile erection in humans. Scandinavian journal of urology and nephrology. 1994; 28(4):409-12.