11 Wonderful Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne Pepper health benefits includes relieving pain, managing diabetes, increasing metabolic rate, boosting immunity, boosting sexual prowess, helping manage psoriasis symptoms, Offers an alternative cancer therapy, helps control blood pressure, modulates the activity of histamine, supply the body with essential vitamins.

What is Cayenne Pepper?

Cayenne Pepper is among several types of the Capsicum annum plants, which are indigenous to the tropical parts of the Americas. Contrary to jalapenos and bell peppers, cayenne peppers are mostly red in color, have a long thin shape, and a wrinkly texture. The cayenne pepper’s most notable feature is its powerful burn that is deceptively cloaked by its mild aroma.

The cayenne pepper is widely known as a spice that adds a piquant flavor to any dish, and is readily available for consumers in dried or powdered form. Cayenne is a staple ingredient in Mexican, Cajun, and Creole cuisines.

In spite of its influence in cooking, the health benefits of the cayenne pepper remain unfamiliar to the majority of people. Capsaicin, the compound in cayenne that gives the fruit its fiery taste, also holds numerous medicinal properties. In fact, it is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter treatments for muscle pain and arthritis. Moreover, cayenne pepper is a good source of vitamins C and E, as well as flavonoids, manganese, and potassium.

Nutrition Info (per 100 g)

Carbohydrate 56g
Fiber 27.2 g – 109 % RDA
Folate 106 mcg
Niacin   8.701 mg 44 % RDA
Riboflavin 0.919 mg 54 % RDA
Thiamin 0.328 mg – 22 % RDA
Vitamin A 41610 IU – 832 % RDA
Vitamin B6 2.450 mg – 123 % RDA
Vitamin C 76.4 mg – 127 % RDA
Vitamin E 29.83 mg – 99 % RDA
Vitamin K 80.3 mcg – 100 % RDA
Calcium 148 mg – 15 % RDA
Copper 0.373 mg – 19 % RDA
Iron 7.80 mg – 43 % RDA
Magnesium 152 mg – 38 % RDA
Manganese 2 mg – 100 % RDA
Phosphorus 293 mg – 29 % RDA
Potassium 2014 – 43 % RDA
Selenium 8.8 mcg – 13 % RDA
Sodium 30 – 1 % RDA
Zinc 2.48 mg – 17 % RDA

11 Wonderful Health Benefits Of Cayenne Pepper

1. Relieves Pain

Over-the-counter creams and ointments contain Capsaicin that is derived from cayenne peppers. Capsaicin features potent pain relieving qualities when applied to skin. It can effectively alleviate pain in sore muscles and painful joints.

Capsaicin decreases the amount of ‘substance P,’ a neuro peptide that transmits pain signals along nerve endings to the brain. Diminishing amounts of the ‘substance P’ restrains the transmission of these pain signals.

Furthermore, topical applications of capsaicin cream may help ease post-surgical neuropathic pain, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Likewise, capsaicin help reduce pain after mastectomy or amputation, rheumatoid arthritis, pain associated with shingles, lower back injuries, and fibromyalgia.

The suggested treatment for chronic pain is to apply the cayenne salve or ointment four times daily to the affected area. Bear in mind that any capsaicin treatment, whether it is homemade salve or an over-the-counter drug, should never be applied to broken skin for risk of severe burns and inflammation occurring.

2. Cayenne Aids In Diabetes Management

Cayenne is very helpful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Consuming nutritious foods, such as the cayenne pepper, has been proven to enhance the insulin response to blood sugar fluctuations, especially in pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy, which is a condition associated with diabetes, may also be alleviated with capsaicin cream or ointment to minimize pain and nerve tingling that may occur.

3. Cayenne Pepper Increases Metabolic Rate

Capsaicin present in cayenne pepper possesses properties that helps increase your metabolism. Researchers from Purdue University discovered that capsaicin encourages thermogenesis, a process in which your body produces more heat. As a result, increased core body temperature makes you burn more calories.

Certain tests show that food containing at least a gram of cayenne pepper can help you burn an additional 10 calories.

However, it is important to note that cayenne should not be used as a weight loss supplement. There are numerous products containing cayenne that claims to have weight loss effects, but more research is needed before cayenne alone can be used as a weight-loss supplement.

Cayenne may help boost your metabolism, but its weight loss effect is still minor. What is more, your body has a tendency to build up a tolerance in the long run.

4. Can Help Boost Immunity

Cayenne pepper is a good source of beta-carotene and antioxidants including vitamin C that strengthen your immune system. It fights off cold and flu, and can treat associated symptoms such as nasal congestions and excessive mucus secretion. Likewise, cayenne raises your body temperature and causes you to sweat. Thermogenesis also enhances the activity of your immune system as well.

5. Can Boost Sexual Prowess

Cayenne pepper may be the last thing you think of, especially if you’re a man, when it comes to sexual enhancers. However, cayenne pepper extract (standardized for capsaicin) is proven to enhance blood flow by stimulating the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is arguably the most important mediator of potent erections in men, and almost certainly coincides with an improvement in sexual ability.

6. Helps Manage Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis occurs when cells build up rapidly on the skin surface, which results in scaly, inflamed patches. It is an autoimmune disease, which has no cure thus far. Cayenne can significantly relieve itchiness, inflammation, and other symptoms associated with this disease.

7. May Offer An Alternative Cancer Therapy

The active compound in cayenne shows promise in cancer prevention. Capsaicin has the ability to decelerate the growth of cancer cells and encourage apoptosis for various types of cancer such as skin, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.

However, further human studies are required before any conclusion is reached.

8. Helps Control Blood Pressure

Hot chilies such as the cayenne pepper can help lower blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and inhibit the formation of blood clots.

Capsaicin lowers cholesterol levels and blocks a gene that causes constriction of arteries, according to researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Capsaicin helps prevent harmful blockages of blood flow to prevent heart attacks or strokes, and also exerts a vasodilatory action on arteries, allowing enhanced blood flow.

9. Modulates The Activity Of Histamine

The cayenne pepper is an anti-inflammatory agent. It has the ability to prevent allergies as well as its related symptoms, by reducing histamine response to allergens.

Likewise, it has anti-irritant properties, which ease symptoms of rhinitis or seasonal allergies.

10. Has Anti-Fungal Properties

Cayenne pepper fights fungi and inhibits the growth of fungal spores. Its anti-fungal properties were further investigated to determine the bounds of its efficacy- The results proved that cayenne is potent against 16 kinds of fungal strains, which includes Candida Albicans.

Adding cayenne to your diet is ideal for your immune system and helps strengthen your body’s response against Candida, which are opportunistic and take every opportunity to spread their infection.

11. Cayenne Is Rich In Vitamins

Cayenne is abundant in vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E. Vitamin E is crucial in decelerating the aging process and promotes healthy body functions. It fights off free radicals, which are the main cause of premature aging. Vitamin E enhances skin quality, strengthens hair, and regulates hormones.

Likewise, vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy eyesight and neurological functions. It also improves skin quality.

Conclusion

While cayenne pepper may not be your thing, it would do your body endless favors by adding a little of it to the foods you eat. No one is advocating that you chomp down on the entire peppers, as that is a tough task to undertake, but make an effort to include it in more foods you eat. Cayenne is one of those things that is not only good for you, but which can also make your food taste better.