Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) is a type of chili pepper known for its spicy flavor and numerous health benefits.
 |
| Cayenne peppers Medicinal Benefits |
Cayenne has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. Most prominent is its proven ability to reduce pain. It is also known for its spicy flavor and its ability to stimulate immunity and reduce the risk of heart disease.
What is Cayenne Pepper?
Cayenne pepper plants are bushy and can grow up to 2 to three feet (about 1 meter) tall. They have glossy green leaves and produce long, skinny, red or green fruits (peppers) that taper to a point.
Native to Central and South America, cayenne pepper is now cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. Major producers include India, East Africa, Mexico, and the United States.
Primary Compounds in Cayenne
The primary compounds in cayenne pepper include:
Capsaicin: The active component responsible for its spicy flavor and most of its health benefits, including pain relief and metabolism boost.
Carotenoids: Antioxidants like beta carotene that support immune health and reduce oxidative stress.
Flavonoids: Compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Vitamins: It is particularly rich in vitamins A, C, and E.
Minerals: Cayenne contains potassium, manganese, and magnesium.
Traditional Uses of Cayenne
South America
Indigenous peoples have used cayenne for its stimulating and digestive properties for thousands of years.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM has also used Cayenne for thousands of years, to improve circulation and treat digestive problems.
Ayurvedic medicine
Cayenne has been incorporated in Ayurveda to aid digestion and as a circulatory stimulant.
North American Indigenous Peoples
Native Americans have used cayenne as a food preservative and for medicinal purposes, including pain relief and respiratory conditions.
Health Benefits of Cayenne
Most of these traditional uses of Cayenne have been confirmed by modern research. Here is a summary of Cayenne’s indicated benefits.
Pain Relief
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which has analgesic properties. It can be used topically in creams and ointments to relieve pain from conditions such as arthritis, muscle pain, and nerve pain.
Digestive Health
Cayenne pepper stimulates the digestive tract, increasing the flow of enzyme production and gastric juices, aiding in digestion. It also helps to relieve intestinal gas and acts as a detoxifier.
Cardiovascular Health
Capsaicin can help improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels. It is also known to prevent blood clots, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Boosting Metabolism
Consuming cayenne pepper can boost metabolism, aiding in weight loss. Capsaicin increases the body's heat production and energy expenditure.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant
Cayenne pepper has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
Immune System Support
The high levels of beta-carotene and antioxidants in cayenne pepper support the immune system and help ward off infections.
Clinical Research on Cayenne
Several studies have investigated the medicinal benefits of cayenne pepper:
Cayenne has been significantly studied for its ability to reduce pain, which we discussed in detail with this article on cayenne and nerve pain. Here is a summary of this research:
The Journal of the American Family Physician released a large review of clinical research on cayenne in 2017. The panel of medical researchers utilized references of clinical studies that have shown that large dose applications of capsaicin significantly reduce pain in postherpetic neuralgia.
A 2017 review of clinical research from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and Oxford University determined that an 8 percent capsaicin significantly reduces neuropathic pain from a number of ailments, including Herpes zoster postherpetic neuralgia, also referred to as shingles.
This study analyzed 200 studies and papers on capsaicin. They also found that skin patches with 8 percent capsaicin significantly reduced localized neuropathic pain. The research included eight clinical studies with 2,488 people, and four studies with 1,272 people suffering from Herpes zoster pain.
The research found that 8 percent capsaicin cream or patches significantly reduces neuropathic pain. Pain intensity reductions ranged from 30 percent after eight weeks to 50 percent after twelve weeks compared to control or placebo groups.
A 2024 study summarized that capsaicin can also reduce osteoarthritis pain when injected locally. Other studies have shown that cayenne pepper and capsaicin have successfully reduced various other types of pain including post-partum pain and diabetic peripheral neuropathy pain.
Research reviews from 2022 and 2017 found that cayenne and notably capsaicin boosts metabolism, increases energy expenditure and increases the burning of fats by fatty tissues.
2018 research from the Adelaide Medical School and the University of South Australia followed 13,670 adults for an average of nine years. They found that those who ate more chillis had a significantly lower rate of high blood pressure compared to those who ate little or no chillis, by as much as 35 percent
A 2019 study from Italy’s IRCCS Neuromed followed 22,811 men and women for eight years. They found that those who ate chili pepper regularly had a significantly lower rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease than those who did not eat cayenne regularly. Regular users of cayenne also had a lower risk of death from strokes and heart attacks compared to those who did not consume cayenne regularly.
A 2021 study that included over 564,000 adults also found that those who consumed spicy food (of which cayenne is prominent) had significantly lower rates of risk of death from any disease.
Scientific References
Zheng J, Zheng S, Feng Q, Zhang Q, Xiao X. Dietary capsaicin and its anti-obesity potency: from mechanism to clinical implications. Biosci Rep. 2017 May 11;37(3):BSR20170286. doi: 10.1042/BSR20170286. PMID: 28424369
Elmas C, Gezer C. Capsaicin and Its Effects on Body Weight. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2022 Nov-Dec;41(8):831-839. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2021.1962771. Epub 2021 Aug 12. PMID: 34383610.
Liang W, Lan Y, Chen C, Song M, Xiao J, Huang Q, Cao Y, Ho CT, Lu M. Modulating effects of capsaicin on glucose homeostasis and the underlying mechanism. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2023;63(19):3634-3652. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1991883.
Arora V, Campbell JN, Chung MK. Fight fire with fire: Neurobiology of capsaicin-induced analgesia for chronic pain. Pharmacol Ther. 2021 Apr;220:107743. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107743.
Koivisto AP, Voets T, Iadarola MJ, Szallasi A. Targeting TRP channels for pain relief: A review of current evidence from bench to bedside. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2024 Apr;75:102447. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2024.102447.
Jang HN, Oh TJ. Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological Treatments for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Diabetes Metab J. 2023 Nov;47(6):743-756. doi: 10.4093/dmj.2023.0018.
Derry S, Rice AS, Cole P, Tan T, Moore RA. Topical capsaicin (high concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jan 13;1(1):CD007393. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007393.pub4.
Street LM, Harris L, Curry RS, Eisenach JC. Capsaicin-induced pain and sensitisation in the postpartum period. Br J Anaesth. 2019 Jan;122(1):103-110. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2018.09.026.