Cayenne pepper is a staple in many kitchens it adds that spicy kick to your food and now is in the spotlight for the list of benefits it can provide. In today’s post, we will go over 7 health benefits of cayenne pepper and how you can incorporate it into your diet.
What is cayenne pepper?
Cayenne peppers are a type of pepper known as Capsicum annuum. These hot-but-not-to-hot peppers are a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. Right along with tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes.
Cayenne pepper has become a staple in most kitchens but that is nothing new it was also prominent thousands of years ago when Native Americans used it for food as well as medicine.1 Many ancient cultures relied on cayenne pepper for pain relief, circulatory issues, stomach aches, and gas.
Health benefits of cayenne pepper?
Cayenne peppers are rich in vitamins and nutrients like most other colorful fruits and vegetables. Particularly vitamins A, C, B6, and K. Which play roles in immune system health, vision, proper functioning of vital organs, etc. But the health benefits of cayenne pepper are not limited to the vitamins it contains. The natural compound that gives cayenne peppers their spice – capsaicin is responsible for a great deal of the benefits cayenne peppers have to offer. Let’s look into the benefits of cayenne peppers and how capsaicin plays a large role.
Reduce inflammation
Capsaicin – found in cayenne peppers contains anti-inflammatory properties. Making it a great natural alternative to reducing and managing inflammation. Possibly aiding in inflammatory diseases like fibromyalgia, Lupus SLE, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. To control inflammation in the body.
Aid in weight loss
Cayenne peppers and other capsaicin-containing foods have been found to speed up the metabolism and aid in sascation. Keeping you feeling full longer.2 Which can result in or aid in weight loss.
It definitely isn’t a magic pill to lose weight but eating foods that keep you feeling full longer and you enjoy eating can help you get to your goal comfortably!
Pain relief
Again the active ingredient responsible for the spice of cayenne peppers- capsaicin provides benefits like pain relief. You can find lotions, creams, and other forms of topical products that contain capsaicin to reduce and spot treat pain. I linked one of the best creams I’ve found to reduce pain and inflammation topically so you can check it out.
Lower blood pressure
Cayenne peppers lower blood pressure in a couple of different ways. Cayenne contains vitamin C and beta-carotenoids. Which are both powerful antioxidants that are associated with low blood pressure. Capsaicin has also been linked to reducing blood pressure. The mix of vitamins and capsaicin makes cayenne a powerful pepper in lowering blood pressure.
Blood circulation
The capsaicin in cayenne peppers acts as a circulatory stimulant. It makes your heart not have to work as hard to move blood throughout your body by dilating blood vessels.
Congestion
Cayenne pepper is a powerful decongestant. It aids in reducing congestion by breaking up mucus. According to UCLA Health, the active ingredient capsaicin can thin out mucus in the body and reduce overall congestion. It doesn’t take much Cayenne to get the job done.
How to incorporate cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is one of the easiest spices to include in your diet. You can add it straight into a dish, into a smoothie, or juice. Below I will share one of my favorite smoothies to drink that has cayenne pepper in it. Forewarning, it is a little spicy. Not to worry if a spicy smoothie isn’t up your alley just add it to your rice or chicken next time you’re cooking!
Leave a comment with the benefit of cayenne pepper that shocked you most! If you haven’t followed us on tik tok yet click here and check it out. We post smoothie recipes weekly and try to respond to all the comments!
Citations:
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Rogers J, Urbina SL, Taylor LW, Wilborn CD, Purpura M, Jäger R, Juturu V. Capsaicinoids supplementation decreases percent body fat and fat mass: adjustment using covariates in a post hoc analysis. BMC Obes. 2018 Aug 13;5:22. doi: 10.1186/s40608-018-0197-1. PMID: 30123516; PMCID: PMC6088424.
