Cayenne Pepper Extract Effects, Research Results & How to Use Safely

Cayenne pepper extracts are advertised to promote digestive health, heart health, detoxification, fat loss, skin health and immune function.

Chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) have been used as foods and natural medicines in various traditional medicine systems going back more than 9000 years.

Traditional herbalists recommend cayenne peppers as invigorating agents that support longevity and well-being. They are seen as a red blood-warning herb that supports the healing power of nature.

Like all chili peppers, cayenne is a source of many vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients as well as a class of active compounds called capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is the most studied of these bioactive compounds and is responsible for producing the pungent, hot taste when these peppers are consumed.

Cayenne extract supplements are commonly used for appetite control, to boost the metabolism, increase circulation, reduce inflammation and support healthy blood pressure. Users report benefits for energy levels, nasal congestion, skin health, and stomach comfort.

Capsaicin

Pepper Extract

Joints

Appetite Control

Vitality

How It Works:

• Supports healthy digestion & blood flow
• Promotes joint function & pain relief
• Promotes appetite control & weight loss

Dosage:

Between 1000 - 2000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Cayenne Pepper Extract Benefits

Cayenne peppers can be used to add zestful flavors to culinary dishes and liven up your food recipes.

They are also reported to invigorate the body, promoting a wide range of physiological responses that may contribute to health and well-being.

In ancient medicine practices, cayenne extracts were used as a blood tonic and hemostat. They were believed to promote blood flow and circulation throughout the body.

Chili peppers were also taken to alleviate stomach disruptions and quell pain caused by ulcers. Research shows they can improve digestive function and reduce stomach acid that can lead to dyspepsia.

Many – but not all – of the ancient uses of these peppers are now supported by available research data. There is significant on-going research directed at understanding possible capsaicin effects on weight loss, cardiovascular health, blood pressure and cancer risk.

According to a 2016 research review, the biological effects of Caspicum annuum extracts include heart-protective, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, heat-producing and appetite-suppressing influences. [1]

Cayenne supplements also demonstrate antilithogenic effects, which means they slow down or suppress the formation of calculi (otherwise known as kidney stones)

In medicine, calculi refers to abnormal concentrations of mineral salts which commonly develop into stones. Calculi stones primarily affect hollow organs and their passagways, like kidneys and the urinary tract.

Capsaicin in cayenne pepper extracts also possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can help to protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce chronic swelling.

Cayenne is also used in the Master Cleanse (sometimes called the lemonade diet) to promote detoxification and weight loss.

Mechanism of Action

Cayenne extracts are a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, iron, manganese, Vitamin K and a number of other vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and nutrients.

However, most of the health benefits of Capsicum peppers are attributed to the capsacinoid content found in the inner white pith or rib of the pepper. Capsaicinoids include:

• Capsaicin (N-Vanillyl-8-methyl-6-(E)-noneamide)
• Dihydrocapsaicin
• Nordihydrocapsaicin
• Homocapsaicin
• Homodihydrocapsaicin

Capsaicin exhibits a number of different effects in the body, but one of the ways it works is by binding to TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1), also known as the capsaicin receptor.

TRPV1 is a protein-based ion channel that detects and modulates body temperature. TRPV1 is one member of the transient receptor potential TRP superfamily.

When these receptors are activated, they produce a sensation of burning heat and pain. These receptors typically become activated when temperatures are greater than 43 °C (109 °F), but they can also be activated by certain acids, capsaicin and by allyl isothiocyanate found in wasabi mustard.

TRPV1 receptors are found throughout pain-sensing neurons in the peripheral nervous system, but they have also been found in other tissues and organs.

According to researchers fromm Tulane University, “TRPV1 and TRPA1 have been associated with control of weight, pancreatic function, hormone secretion, thermogenesis, and neuronal function, which suggest a potential therapeutic value of these channels.”.[2]

Significant research shows that TRPV1 activation can influence “whole body metabolism including glucose homeostasis.” [2]

Ongoing research continues to address the effects of TRPV1 activation by capsaicin, especially with regards to conditions associated with diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Cayenne Pepper Extract for Obesity

Cayenne pepper extracts are frequently used to lose weight, increase energy metabolism and make it easier to adhere to a calorie-restricted diet.

There is animal and some human research that supports this use, but more studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy as a long-term weight management aid.

According to 2015 research from the University of Laval in Canada, capsaicinoids like those in cayenne pepper extracts can enhance the efficacy of restricting calories to induce weight loss.

In some studies, capsaicin supplementation has been found to supress the appetite, promote fullness and prevent hunger in people on calorie restriction.

It also inhibits or prevents the decrease in fat metabolism and energy expenditure that commonly occurs during periods of calorie restriction. [3]

One study found that capsaicin prolongs feelings of satiety after eating, reduces caloric intake and alters the macronutrient profile of foods consumed. Eating a soup made with high dosages of cayenne before a meal resulted in participants consuming less fat at mealtime.

Numerous weight loss supplements contain capsaicin as a sole ingredient or in combination with other herbal extracts designed to control appetite cravings and increase resting energy expenditure.

Research is ongoing to determine how effective hot chili pepper extracts are for supporting long-term weight management. More extensive human studies are needed.

Acne, Skin Health & Psoriasis

Another common use of cayenne extract is to promote skin health and wound healing. It is used both as a topical cream and as a liquid extract applied directly to the skin.

Cayenne is presumed to support skin health by boosting circulation throughout the body. Users who eat large amounts of these peppers often experience redness and a skin-flushing reaction, which is a sign of greater blood delivery to the region.

Capsaicin is believed to have wound-healing properties and was used in Native American medicine as a poultice applied directly to cuts and scars.

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database also reports that capsaicin reduces histamine-induced itching in healthy skin and may inhibit cutaneous allergy reactions.

There are reports of cayenne reducing acne flare-ups and promoting healing of skin lesions as well as reducing inflammation. It has anti-microbial properties and may combat the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that can cause acne to form.

Studies have also found topical capsaicin to improve symptoms of psoriasis vulgaris. There was a greater overall improvement in scaling and erythema compared to no treatment as well as reductions in burning, stinging, itching, and redness of the skin. [19]

Cayenne for Hair Growth

There are anecdotal reports of people using cayenne pepper powder mixed in coconut oil to support healthy hair growth, but no research available to evaluate efficacy.

This is a method reportedly introduced in the 1800s by Samuel Thompson, a botanist commonly referred to as the “Father of American Herbalism”.

Many online sources claim that capsaicin can stimulate hair growth and promote shiny, soft and manageable hair. Capsaicin is purported to stimulate dormant hair follicle and increase volume and thickness.

Capsaicin does exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and circulation-increasing properties which could promote hair growth. However, research studies are necessary to determine whether this folk remedy works or not.

Immune Function and Cancer

Cayenne is believed to have immunomodulatory properties and to exhibit antibacterial effects. It has long been used in herbal medicine to promote resistance to infection.

One of the areas of significant research activity is understanding how capsaicin influences risk for cancer. According to the University of Maryland, capsaicin “targets multiple signaling pathways, oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes in various types of cancer models.” [4]

A research review of anticancer properties suggests that this extract alters the expression of various genes which control cancer cell life cycles. Some factors affected include the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), natural death (apoptosis), growth arrest, survival and metastasis in cancerous cells.

Research has largely involved in vitro cell cultures to this point, although there have been some studies involving animal subjects.

While preliminary studies show some anticancer effects, extensive human research is required to determine if and how capsaicin can affect cancer in humans.

How to Use Cayenne Pepper Extracts

Cayenne pepper extracts are commonly taken in the form of an oral dietary supplement at a dosage of between 500 mg to 2,000 mg per day.

Depending on the brand of product you decide to buy, most supplements contain 300 – 500 mg of Capsicum frutescens per capsule, standardized to provide 0.25% capsaicin concentration.

Different products may contain higher-potency chili pepper extracts rated between 35,000 and 100,000 Heat Units per dosage. Generally, it is advised to start with the lower-rated products to determine your individual tolerance.

Different dosage recommendations exist depending on your reason for taking this supplement. If you are using to promote digestive comfort or weight loss, it is advised to take this product approximately 30 minutes prior to eating a meal.

Some people experience irritation of the digestive tract when beginning to use capsaicin supplements. There are cool-formulated supplements like Solaray Cool Cayenne that can minimize gastrointestinal upset.

Some of the other possible side effects associated with chili peppers include excessive perspiration, diuretic effects, teary eyes and runny nose. When used topically, capsaicin can cause temporary itching, stinging and/or burning on the skin.

This supplement can interact with certain medications and health conditions. If you are considering using a cayenne pepper extract to address a specific health goal, then it is best to seek medical advice first.

Your doctor can help you decide whether cayenne supplements are appropriate for you or whether you need to avoid this product due to potential health risks.

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