Cayenne pepper tablets and creams have been used in traditional medicine to alleviate chronic pain, improve circulation, enhance metabolism and reduce inflammation.
Like all hot chili peppers, cayenne extract contains a bioactive chemical called capsaicin that makes these fruits taste spicy and produces a burning sensation in the mouth.
Different varieties of pepper from the Capsicum annuum genus contain different concentrations of capsaicin. Cayenne is a medium-hot pepper, with approximately 1,250-2,500mcg capsaicin per gram of raw pepper.
Capsaicin is believed to have pain-relieving effects and cardiovascular benefits. It has been shown to improve stomach ulcers, open congested nasal passages, support the immune system and dilate blood vessels.
You can derive the benefits of red cayenne by adding more of these peppers to your diet. However, some people find it difficult to tolerate spicy foods. Buying cayenne pepper supplements can help you experience the same benefits without adverse reactions.



- Supports healthy digestion & blood flow
- Promotes joint function & pain relief
- Promotes appetite control & weight loss
Where to Buy Cayenne Pepper Tablets
Cayenne supplements are available from a wide range of manufacturers and retailers.
Amazon carries a number of different cayenne extract products, including oral capsules, enteric-coated tablets, liquid tincture and bulk powders.
The most economical way to use hot chili peppers is by adding cayenne powder to your diet, either through incorporation into food recipes or by preparing lemon and cayenne detox drinks.
However, not everyone appreciates the fiery hot taste of capsaicin. Some report adverse reactions from consuming raw cayenne, including stomach pain, skin flushing and excessive perspiration.
Coated tablets with a controlled-release binding technology are purported to deliver capsaicin for absorption into the circulatory system while protecting the stomach lining and without causing gastrointestinal discomfort.
Two brands of supplements that use an enteric-coated formulation include Solaray Cool Cayenne and Nature’s Way Capsicool Capsules.
Dietary supplements for sale with cayenne as the primary ingredient typically provide between 300 – 500 mg of pepper extract per serving. This dosage yields between 40,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units, depending on product formulation.
One product by Nature Restore contains 500 mg of cayenne extract per capsule at a concentration of 0.45% capsaicin, equivalent to 70,000 heat units.
Some supplements combine this ingredient with other herbs purported to have synergistic effects. Cayenne has been stacked with Butcher’s broom extract, garlic, green tea leaf extract, guarana, kola nut, caffeine, policosanol, guggul, beta-sitosterol, kelp and niacin.
Depending on the formulation and potency you choose, you can expect to pay between $0.04 – $0.20 per serving for single-ingredient red cayenne extract supplements.
Effects and Research Review
A 2016 meta-review of capsaicin’s biological activities reports antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiobesity, analgesic and neuroprotective effects. [1]
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states that people use cayenne pepper tablets for the following health conditions:
- Poor circulation, hyperlipidemia, excessive blood clotting and heart disease;
- Dyspepsia (heartburn), flatulence, diarrhea, cramps and colic;
- Seasickness, alcoholism, malaria, toothache and fever;
This list represents the traditional uses of this vegetable extract in natural medicine practices. The FDA has not approved the use of cayenne as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any of these conditions.
Cayenne pepper extract is also available in various creams, ointments, swabs and patches, which are FDA-approved as a topical analgesic.
These products are used to temporarily alleviate chronic pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, shingles, back pain, arthritis and neuralgia after surgery.
Capsaicin works by activating a protein ion channel called the TRPV1 receptor in pain-sensing neurons throughout the body. This receptor is involved in detecting temperature and is normally activated at heats greater than 48°C.
After exposure to capsaicin, TRPV1 receptors become more sensitive and can be activated even at room temperature. This suggests that eating cayenne peppers produces some of the same physiological responses as exposure to hot temperatures in the ambient environment.
The full effects of TRPV1 activation on human health are not well understood, but there is significant research activity investigating the consequences.
According the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, activation of TRPV1 receptors may help to relieve “symptoms of diseases ranging from diabetes and urinary incontinence to arthritis and hearing loss.” [3]
More research is needed to determine clinical significance of capsaicin for human health. While some of the traditional uses of cayenne pepper supplements are supported by research, others lack sufficient data to determine efficacy.
Using Cayenne Tablets to Lose Weight
Weight loss is one of the most popular reasons for taking cayenne supplements, based on user reviews from Amazon. Other common uses include stimulating circulation, improving digestion, detoxification and reducing joint pain linked to arthritis.
Clinical research suggests that cayenne extracts may promote appetite control and boost metabolism, which could contribute to weight loss results as part of a healthy diet and exercise program.
A study published by Laval University in Quebec, Canada found that capsaicin could improve weight loss results among people following a calorie-restricted diet. They showed that this spice could slow down or inhibit resistance to fat loss in those participating in weight loss programs. [2]
Their findings demonstrate that cayenne can supress the reduction in fat oxidation and energy usage that usually results from restricting calories. [2]
Further data from this study shows that cayenne can improve feelings of fullness and reduce sensations of hunger in people who are cutting their caloric intake. The researchers conclude that cayenne pepper tablets could promote healthy weight maintenance in post-obese people. [2]
Other studies have found that resting energy metabolism increases by 6% after a single dose of Capsimax cayenne extract. By raising the number of calories burned while not exercising, it may be possible to promote a calorie deficit and support fat loss.
In another 12-week study, Capsimax was shown to suppress the appetite and improve body composition. After 6 weeks of daily use, participants in this study saw their waist and hip circumference decrease by 2.4%.
Some researchers point out that the analgesic (pain-relieving) effects of capsaicin may indirectly support weight loss. Based on this theory, using capsaicin may cause users to experience less pain and help them sleep better, which has anti-obesity effects and can promote metabolic health.
These results are preliminary and require further study to confirm. Large, controlled and randomized studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of cayenne peppers for weight loss in humans.
If you are overweight and/or obese, it is best to seek medical advice about using a cayenne pepper supplement before you buy this product. Consult with your doctor to determine whether this weight loss program is appropriate for you.
Cayenne Pepper Adverse Reactions
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM), cayenne peppers are safe to consume for most healthy adults. They have received GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) status from the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.
Even though they are considered safe, not everyone tolerates hot peppers well. NMCD states that eating these chilis can cause epigastric pain, diarrhea, nausea, stomach fullness, gas, bloating and belching.
Other possible side effects include excessive sweating, runny nose, tearing, faintness and headache. Some people experience an uncomfortable burning sensation or skin reddening and flushing after eating capsaicin.
To avoid these adverse reactions, some brands of cayenne pepper tablets are formulated with an enteric coating that protects the stomach from the active capsaicin ingredient. These supplements are reported to be easier for some people to ingest.
Some users also find that taking lower dosages reduces the occurrence and severity of side effects. Supplements with a 35,000 HU rating may be better for new users to take.
Inappropriate, excessive or prolonged use of capsaicin supplements may lead to liver damage, kidney problems and/or inflammation in the stomach and/or intestines (gastroenteritis).
Some people are allergic to these peppers and need to avoid all fruits in the Nighshade (Solanaceae) family. There have been reports of dermatitis developing in babies being breastfed by mothers who ate diets high in capsaicin.
Cayenne pepper tablets may decrease blood coagulation by increasing the breakdown of fibrin, which is required to form blood clots. Do not take this supplement if you are already on fibrinolytic therapy.
This extracts can interact with certain prescription medications as well as dietary supplements. Seek medical advice before using this supplement with ACE inhibitors, antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs, cocaine and/or theophylline.
NMCD warns against concomitant use of cayenne with supplements which are known to affect platelet aggregation. Some of these include angelica, ginseng, garlic, dashen, clove and ginger.
Before you buy cayenne pepper tablets online, ask a doctor if they are safe for your needs.
- Basith S1, Cui M2, Hong S3, Choi S4. Harnessing the Therapeutic Potential of Capsaicin and Its Analogues in Pain and Other Diseases. Molecules. 2016 Jul 23;21(8). pii: E966. doi: 10.3390/molecules 21080966.
- Tremblay A1,2, Arguin H1, Panahi S1. Capsaicinoids: a spicy solution to the management of obesity? Int J Obes (Lond). 2016 Aug;40(8):1198-204. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2015.253. Epub 2015 Dec 21.
- Brito, Rafael et al. "TRPV1: A Potential Drug Target for Treating Various Diseases." Cells 3.2 (2014): 517–545. PMC. Web. 7 Sept. 2016.
Article last updated on: July 2nd, 2018 by Nootriment