Cayenne pepper is widely used in some of the most famous cuisines around the world because it can make any dish unforgettable. A close relative of jalapenos and bell peppers, this medium-hot chili is now a staple spice in any modern kitchen.

According to PepperScale.com, cayenne pepper boasts 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units, which makes it up to 12 times hotter than a jalapeno. You can use it fresh to make salsa with a bit of a zing or to boost the spiciness of your hot sauce. Whether ground, dried, canned or powdered, this spice can transform everyday dishes into something even more satisfying.

But cayenne pepper isn’t just useful gastronomically, it also offers several health benefits. Cayenne pepper owes its long history of use in traditional medicine to an active compound found in different varieties of chili: capsaicin.

The health benefits of cayenne pepper

Capsaicin is the chemical responsible for the spiciness of chili peppers. According to research, capsaicin has plenty of beneficial properties, which is why it is now used as a dietary supplement and as an active ingredient in topical creams and prescription skin patches.

Cayenne pepper, being spicier than jalapeno, contains a higher concentration of capsaicin. It also contains plenty of antioxidants in the form of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, choline, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin, a precursor of vitamin A.

Here are some remarkable benefits that you can get from cayenne pepper:

It can help with weight loss

According to a 2003 study, eating fresh cayenne pepper can increase your metabolism rate — the speed at which your body converts food into energy — for up to 30 minutes after your meal. This because of capsaicin and dihydrocapsiate, another compound found in chili peppers.

Both chemicals have thermogenic properties, meaning they increase your body’s production of heat. This, in turn, speeds up your metabolism. Having a fast metabolism allows you to burn more calories at rest and while doing physical activities, so adding cayenne pepper to your diet will definitely help you lose some weight.

It can provide pain relief

Capsaicin in cayenne pepper is great for reducing pain. This is because the compound decreases the levels of a chemical that carries pain signals to the brain. For this reason, capsaicin is commonly extracted nowadays and used in topical lotions, creams, gels and ointments.

When applied to the skin, capsaicin products can relieve pain caused by cluster headaches, nervous system disorders, conditions that affect the joints, skin problems, surgery and chemotherapy. While capsaicin may amplify pain on your first application, experts assure it will decrease with regular use.

It improves digestive health and blood circulation

Chili peppers like cayenne support healthy gut function by increasing the amount of digestive juices in your stomach. These juices contain important enzymes, which help break down food and macronutrients (e.g., carbohydrates, fats, proteins), as well as ease overall digestion.

What’s more, capsaicin in cayenne peppers can reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which benefits your heart, brain and blood vessels. It can even stop blood cells from clumping together and forming blood clots, which effectively lowers your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Capsaicin also ensures healthy blood flow throughout your body by preventing blood clots.

Adding cayenne pepper to your diet

Cayenne pepper can be bought fresh or powdered at your local grocery. For whole cayenne peppers, simply toss them into your pan or wok together with other ingredients for a stir fry. You can also put them in vinegar with some onion, garlic and lime juice to make a hot sauce.

If what you have is powdered cayenne, one of the easiest ways to consume it is by mixing it with your water, smoothie or protein shake. One gram of dried cayenne pepper or 28 grams of fresh cayenne pepper is enough for you to experience what this superfood has to offer.

But for those who can’t tolerate the taste of cayenne, you can use other foods to mask its bold flavor. Simply add powdered or whole cayenne pepper to savory dishes, such as curry, stew or anything Mexican. Alternatively, you can take a high-quality capsaicin supplement once a day.

Learn more about the benefits of capsaicin at Phytonutrients.news.

Sources:

PepperScale.com

UofMHealth.org

WomensHealthMag.com

MedicalNewsToday.com

Healthline.com

Health.Harvard.edu

NIDDK.NIH.gov