Did you know that cayenne Pepper has excellent health benefits? In addition, this spice is widely used in diets to lose weight. But does it work? Here you will discover everything about cayenne Pepper and how to use it best!
Due to its culinary and medicinal use, Cayenne pepper ( Capsicum annuum L. var. acuminatum ) is a famous type of Pepper. Its name comes from its place of origin, the city of Cayenne (Cayenne), located in French Guiana.
As we know it, Pepper is just the dried and ground fruit of the pepper tree of the same name. It is widely used in countries with spicy cuisines, such as Mexico, India and other Asian countries.
Among the benefits of cayenne Pepper, one draws attention due to the many questions around it: does cayenne Pepper help you lose weight or make you fat? See the answer in the next topic.
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Cayenne pepper helps you lose weight?
Yes. According to scientific research, cayenne Pepper is an aid in weight loss. In short, it helps with weight loss for several reasons, the main ones being increased satiety and improved metabolism.
Peppers generally have capsaicin, which is responsible for speeding up metabolism. In addition, it is a thermogenic food, which increases body temperature. With this, it is possible to spend more energy and burn more fat, which accelerates (a lot) weight loss.
Cayenne pepper is a source of pectin, an active compound that helps reduce cholesterol levels and increases satiety. Furthermore, this spice is considered by science to be a hypoglycemic food. It decreases glucose levels in the body, promoting satiety and reduced appetite.
International studies and research indicate that increased blood sugar (increase in the glycemic rate) induces hunger and increased appetite. Therefore, regulating this rate is crucial for a healthy and unrestricted diet.
Thus, cayenne Pepper can indeed be associated with the weight loss process. In other words, eating this Pepper in our meals will take us longer to feel hungry again, which helps us organize our diet.
Other benefits of this Pepper
In addition to the unmistakable flavour, capable of improving many recipes, cayenne Pepper is rich in medicinal properties according to science. Medicine confirms that it can even be used to fight and prevent cancer. See below the benefits of cayenne Pepper:
- It’s antioxidant
- Helps control glucose
- Reduces bad cholesterol and increases good
- Fight fungi
- It is an excellent source of vitamin A.
- Relieves (natural pain reliever)
All these listed benefits are proven by science to date and are documented in official scientific productions, as you can see in the references at the end of this article. We selected the top and most recent discoveries about cayenne Pepper. That way, we ensure you find the correct information on our website. Below, you will learn more about each of these benefits.
Medicinal uses: Learn more about the benefits
Now you will see more about each of the benefits listed above.
It’s antioxidant
One of cayenne Pepper’s main benefits is its high antioxidant potential. This benefit results from its complex medicinal composition composed of phenols, capsaicin, carotenoids, flavonoids, dihydrocapsaicin and others.
Antioxidant foods mainly inhibit the action of free radicals, substances in the body that hinder the healthy life cycle of cells. As a result, the risk of various diseases such as cancer and diabetes increases considerably.
Free radicals arise from various sources, such as food, stress and natural body reactions. Thus, fighting them is essential to prevent serious illnesses and maintain good health.
Among the major diseases that can be prevented with the consumption of antioxidant foods, such as cayenne Pepper, are: cancer, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, premature aging and various degenerative diseases.
Helps control glucose
Another great benefit of cayenne Pepper is its ability to regulate glucose. Therefore, it is excellent for feeding people with diabetes. In addition to being a natural and tasty option, medicine defines this spice as a potent hypoglycemic.
Thus, consuming cayenne Pepper prevents glucose peaks, a disease that affects many people with diabetes and brings many symptoms. It is also a preventive food for those people who tend to develop diabetes.
However, it is essential to mention that ingesting cayenne pepper can affect medications for diabetes, causing a significant drop in glucose in patients. So, consult your specialist doctor and get informed before eating cayenne Pepper on your own.
Reduces bad cholesterol and increases good
First, there are two types of cholesterol: the good (known by the acronym HDL) and the bad (known by the abbreviation LDL). According to Japanese research, cayenne Pepper can reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol in the body.
The researchers reached this result after testing and analyzing the medicinal properties of paprika ( Capsicum annuum) and cayenne Pepper. Just in terms of information: paprika and cayenne Pepper are closely related and are considered sister plants.
Fight fungi
Another proven benefit of cayenne Pepper is its antifungal action. An Italian study in 2002 identified the fungal inhibitory effect of saponins and other properties of this Pepper.
It is an excellent source of vitamin A.
Few people know, but cayenne Pepper is a food rich in vitamin A . Nutritional analyzes show that, in just 5 grams of this spice, it is possible to find 44% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin A.
Vitamin A is essential for vision development and growth. In addition, it is a food that prevents diseases that affect the eyes and skin. Studies also indicate that vitamin A is directly linked to fighting infections and cancer.
Relieves (natural pain reliever)
Cayenne pepper is also famous for its analgesic action. Studies show that consuming this spice relieves headaches and even muscle pain. Therefore, you can bet on recipes with cayenne Pepper if you generally feel pain.
Does Cayenne Pepper burn?
Cayenne pepper is not very hot. In some tables on specialized websites, this Pepper occupies scorching level 1 in a list that goes up to level 5. Therefore, this type is considered more flavorful than spicy.
How to include it in the food?
Cayenne Pepper can be consumed as a seasoning in recipes and foods in general, but it can also be consumed in capsule form. Cayenne pepper capsules are engineered to contain the spice’s benefits.
Experts indicate a maximum of between 3 and 5 grams of cayenne Pepper per day. Daily consumption is not recommended, only in treatments through the benefits of this seasoning. When not, you should consume cayenne Pepper 2-3 times a week.
Below are some options on how to include cayenne Pepper in your diet:
- Season the beans with cayenne Pepper
- Prepare green tea with cayenne Pepper
- Use as a seasoning for salads
- Put a dash of cayenne pepper into natural juices
Did you see it? In addition to these options, you can include this spice in your favourite recipes. It can even go well with raw desserts or desserts made with dark chocolate. Cayenne pepper is versatile, and its use depends on your creativity in the kitchen!
Green tea recipe with cayenne Pepper
Among the natural recipes that use cayenne Pepper, one is a potent natural remedy: green tea with cayenne Pepper. With it, you can get the benefits of Pepper and green tea, making it a fully slimming tea. Follow the instructions below:
- Heat 1 cup of filtered water.
- After that, turn off the heat and add one tablespoon of chopped green tea leaves and cover the pot/kettle.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- Then strain to remove the leaves and add one teaspoon of cayenne Pepper and the juice of 1 lemon.
- Stir well and drink without sweetening.
Consuming this tea daily on an empty stomach for 30 minutes before eating is recommended. It is a powerful metabolic stimulant that will give you energy and help you burn fat. However, it is a tea contraindicated for people who have gastric problems.
Care and contraindications
Cayenne pepper is natural and has no contraindications, but care must be taken in some cases. The first one concerns people who have gastric diseases and problems. These patients can only consume peppers under medical advice.
Daily consumption of this Pepper is not recommended for a long time. You can do this for a few months, but it is recommended that you stop for a while after that. The properties of Pepper can cause metabolic changes that can bring symptoms such as fatigue, malaise and a feeling of weakness.
Pregnant women can consume this tea as long as there is no excess. The vitamin A present in the composition of cayenne Pepper is good for pregnancy, but in excess, the other properties can even harm the baby.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.