Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper does not look like pepper and is not related to pepper. It got its name, which the capital of French Guiana also bears, from the Indian language. Like the potato, cayenne pepper originated in the New World and still has its main distribution area in Central and South America. Columbus mistook cayenne pepper for the coveted and expensive pepper because of its pungency, which is how it found its way to Europe.

Cayenne is also known by the following names:

African Pepper, Bird Pepper, Capsicum annuum, Chili Pepper, Goat's Pod, Grains of Paradise, Mexican Chillies, Paprika, Red Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Tabasco Pepper, Zanzibar Pepper.

Botany

Cayenne pepper is a member of the Solanaceae (nightshade) plant family, which includes peppers (Capsicum annuum) as well as potatoes and tomatoes.

Chillies are the ripe, very hot and partially dried fruits, cayenne pepper is the powder that is always dried and ground from them and chili peppers are the unripe, green or ripe red, always fresh fruits of Capsicum frutescens, the spicy bell pepper. These fruits are berries, which are usually incorrectly referred to as pods. The fruits owe their pungency to capsaicin. Capsaicin compounds are now precisely determined by chromatography and the chilies are then rated on the Scoville scale from 0 to over 300,000 units. The strong differences in taste of the confusing variety of species, varieties and origins are due to the different composition of the capsaicin compounds and the complex other ingredients. Even if fruits are harvested from the same plant at the same time, it is possible to find some devilishly hot specimens of a rather mild variety.

Nutritional value and ingredients

Cayenne pepper has an impressive nutritional profile, which includes a range of antioxidants that can have a positive effect on health:

One tablespoon (5 grams) of cayenne pepper contains (1):

Calories: 17 kcal
Fat: 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 3 grams
Dietary fiber: 1.4 grams
Protein: 0.6 grams
Vitamin A: 44% of the daily requirement
Vitamin E: 8% of the daily requirement
Vitamin C: 7% of the daily requirement
Vitamin B6: 6% of the daily requirement
Vitamin K: 5% of the daily requirement
Manganese: 5% of the daily requirement
Potassium: 3% of the daily requirement
Riboflavin: 3% of the daily requirement

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, which is responsible for many of its medicinal properties. It is also responsible for the pungent taste of cayenne pepper. How hot cayenne pepper is actually depends on its capsaicin content. The more capsaicin it contains, the hotter it is.

Use

Capsaicin compounds are also used medicinally. They are used externally in heat plasters and ointments for rheumatism and muscle tension. When used internally, i.e. also during normal eating, they stimulate blood circulation, gastric juice production and intestinal peristalsis and thus digestion. However, they also irritate the mucous membranes and should therefore be used with caution in the case of certain illnesses. Paprika, chili and co. are definitely healthy, with or without heat, because they contain a lot of vitamin C, carotenoids and minerals. In local Central and South American cuisine, but also in South East Asia and Africa, the numerous varieties are very important and indispensable ingredients for many recipes and are as important as pepper.

Possible health benefits of cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper can stimulate the metabolism

The capsaicin contained in cayenne pepper has metabolism-stimulating properties. It helps to increase the amount of heat the body produces, which results in the body burning more calories each day (2). This increase in metabolism is due to so-called food-induced thermogenesis, which causes an increase in the metabolic rate. A study showed that subjects who ate a breakfast containing capsaicin and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) burned 51% more calories during this meal compared to people who ate a normal breakfast (3). However, even though capsaicin helps to stimulate the metabolism, the overall effect is quite small. In another study, subjects who consumed 1 gram of red cayenne pepper burned only 10 extra kcal over the course of four and a half hours compared to the control group (4). It is also important to note that people who regularly consume cayenne pepper will not continue to reap the same benefits, as the body adapts to these effects over time (4).

Summary: The capsaicin contained in cayenne pepper helps to increase metabolic rate, but the overall effect is quite small and there may be a habituation effect.

Cayenne pepper can help reduce hunger

Interestingly, cayenne pepper can reduce hunger, which can help you eat less and feel fuller for longer.

Many studies have shown that cayenne pepper can help reduce hunger (5, 6, 7, 8). How it does this is not yet fully understood, but one study showed that it reduces the production of the hunger hormone ghrelin (9). Another study showed that people who took capsaicin ate less food over the course of the day than people who did not take capsaicin. Those who took capsaicin ate 10% less, while those who drank a capsaicin-containing drink ate 16% less (10). The subjects in the capsaicin group also felt fuller, even though they consumed fewer calories (10).

Summary: The capsaicin in cayenne pepper may help reduce hunger, which may help you eat less throughout the day.

Cayenne pepper could lower blood pressure

High blood pressure is a major health risk that is widespread. Worldwide, over 40% of adults over 25 suffer from high blood pressure (11). Interestingly, studies conducted on animals have shown that cayenne pepper could lower high blood pressure. A study conducted on mice with high blood pressure showed that long-term consumption of spices containing capsaicin helped to lower blood pressure (12). Another study showed that capsaicin helped relax blood vessels in pigs, resulting in lower blood pressure (13). It is important to note that all of these results are from animal studies and the effects of capsaicin in humans may be different. Summary: Capsaicin has been shown to lower blood pressure in animal studies, but this has yet to be confirmed in human studies.

Cayenne pepper could promote healthy digestion

Spices and their active ingredients could have benefits for the stomach. For example, cayenne pepper may help support the stomach's defense mechanisms against infection and increased stomach acid production, and may help provide the stomach with enzymes that aid digestion (14). Cayenne pepper does this by stimulating the nerves of the stomach that send the signal for protection against injury (15). Although some believe that spicy foods may cause stomach ulcers, a review paper has shown that the capsaicin contained in cayenne pepper may actually help to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers (15).

Summary: Cayenne pepper may help improve digestive health and reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.

Cayenne pepper could reduce the risk of cancer

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. The capsaicin contained in cayenne pepper has shown promise when it comes to reducing the risk of cancer. It may do this by attacking different pathways in the cancer cell growth process (24, 25). In fact, studies have shown that capsaicin can slow the growth of cancer cells and induce cell death in many different types of cancer cells including prostate cancer cells, pancreatic cancer cells and skin cancer cells (26). However, while the effects of capsaicin on cancer appear to be promising, it is important to note that the current study results are limited to cell studies and animal studies and the effects in humans have yet to be investigated.

Summary: The capsaicin contained in cayenne pepper has shown promise in the field of cancer research, but further human studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Safety and side effects

Medicated lotions and creams containing Capsicum extracts are likely to be safe and harmless for most adults when applied to the skin. Possible side effects include skin irritation, burning and itching. Capsicum can be extremely irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. Capsicum should not be used on sensitive skin or near the eyes.

Capsicum extracts are probably safe and harmless for most adults when taken orally for short periods of time in normal food quantities. Side effects may include stomach irritation, stomach upset, sweating, flushing and runny nose. It may not be safe to take capsicum orally in large quantities or over a long period of time, as more serious side effects such as liver or kidney damage may occur with this type of use.

Capsicum extracts are potentially safe and harmless when used in the nose. There are no reports of serious side effects, but application to the nose can be very painful. Application to the nose can cause burning pain, sneezing, wet eyes and runny nose. These side effects tend to diminish or disappear after 5 or more days of repeated use.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Capsicum applied to the skin is probably safe and harmless during pregnancy. However, not enough is known about the safety and safety of oral ingestion during pregnancy, so pregnant women should not take Capsicum to be on the safe side.Capsicum applied to the skin is probably safe and safe during breastfeeding, but oral ingestion of Capsicum by breastfeeding women may not be safe and safe for the breastfed child. There have been reports of skin problems (dermatitis) in breastfed infants whose mothers had consumed foods strongly flavored with Capsicum-containing spices.
Children: Applying capsicum to the skin of children under two years of age may not be safe and harmless. Not enough is known about the safety and harmlessness of oral administration of Capsicum to children.
Damaged or fragile skin: Capsicum should not be used on damaged or fragile skin.
Surgeries: Capsicum could increase bleeding during and after surgery. For this reason, Capsicum should be discontinued 2 weeks before an operation.

Interactions

Care should be taken when using Capsicum in combination with the following medications:

Cocaine

Cocaine has many dangerous side effects. Using Capsicum in combination with cocaine could increase the side effects of cocaine, including heart attack and death.

Drugs that slow down blood clotting

Capsicum could slow down blood clotting. Taking capsicum in conjunction with medications that also slow blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise.

Some medications that can slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Theophylline

Capsicum may increase the amount of theophylline that the body can absorb. Taking capsicum in combination with theophylline could increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.

Care should be taken when using capsicum in combination with the following medications:

Medications for high blood pressure

Some medicines for high blood pressure can cause coughing. There is one report of a person whose cough worsened after using a cream containing capsicum in combination with high blood pressure medication. However, it is not clear whether this interaction is a major cause for concern.

Conclusion

Cayenne pepper may have many health benefits, mainly as a result of the active ingredient capsaicin. Among other things, cayenne pepper may help reduce appetite and lower blood pressure.

If you are taking medications that may interact with cayenne pepper, it is best to discuss the use of cayenne pepper in higher or therapeutic doses with your doctor in advance.

For most people, cayenne pepper is also a good way to add an extra kick to their diet.

References

Further sources

Yoshioka M, St-Pierre S, Suzuki M, Tremblay A. Effects of red pepper added to high-fat and high-carbohydrate meals on energy metabolism and substrate utilization in Japanese women. Br J Nutr 1998;80:503"10.
Yoshioka M, St-Pierre S, Drapeau V, et al. Effects of red pepper on appetite and energy intake. Br J Nutr 1999;82:115â€"23.
Jensen PG, Curtis PD, Dunn JA, Austic RE, Richmond ME.Field evaluation of capsaicin as a rodent aversion agent for poultry feed. Pest Manag Sci.
Agarwal MK, Bhatia SJ, Desai SA, Bhure U, Melgiri S. Effect of red chillies on small bowel and colonic transit and rectal sensitivity in men with irritable bowel syndrome. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2002 Sep-Oct;21(5):179-82.