Cayenne Pepper Side Effects, Stomach Pain Warning & Dangers

Cayenne pepper dietary supplements are considered safe with a low risk of serious side effects when used appropriately.

Cayenne pepper is labelled a GRAS food according to the US FDA, which means it “generally regarded as safe”.

The University of Maryland Medical Center asserts that cayenne peppers have been consumed as food, and used for improving health, for more than 9 thousand years.

Today, cayenne extracts are used to make dietary supplements; available in tablets, capsules, creams, ointments, inhalers, hot sauces, powders, swabs, suspensions and whole pepper forms.

The side effects of cayenne pepper products depend on the way that it is administered. Cayenne supplements and medicines containing the active ingredient capsaicin are used orally, topically and intranasally (through the nose).

Some of the most common cayenne pepper side effects include nausea, headache and burning/stinging skin.

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 Safety Ratings

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states that cayenne peppers are Likely Safe when used orally in amounts commonly found in the average diet.

Topical, appropriate use is also rated as Likely Safe.

Used orally/topically/intranasally, and properly, in medicinal amounts in the short term, capsaicin-containing peppers and their extracts are rated as Possibly Safe.

In inhalers, nasal sprays, suspensions and swabs, this chili pepper extract is rated as Possibly Safe. This applies to daily or every-other-day usage for up to 14 consecutive days.

Multiple studies have shown that there are no serious side effects of cayenne pepper products when used for short periods of time at safe dosages.

However, it is noted that intranasal application of capsaicin-containing products can be quite painful for some. Capsaicin is a strong irritant to mucous membrane tissues.

If you use cayenne extract products in doses that are too high, or use them for too long of a time period, then this is Possibly Unsafe.

Excessive or otherwise inappropriate use of these supplements is associated with hepatic (liver) and renal (kidney) damage. [4]

According to NMCD, it is not recommended for children under 2 years of age to use capsaicin-containing creams. There is currently insufficient data concerning usage in young children.

Topical, appropriate use of cayenne extract supplements seems Likely Safe for pregnant and nursing women. However, infant contact dermatitis has resulted from breastfeeding when mothers ate high-capsaicin diets. [5]

Cayenne Pepper Side Effects

Oral cayenne pepper side effects can cause discomfort in the upper abdomen. Some people experience fullness, bloating, flatulence, burping, nausea and/or diarrhea.

Others have reported sweating, flushing, tearing, headache and runny nose after using these supplements.

In most individuals, consuming oral capsules that contain cayenne extract will avoid the side effects linked to consuming foods that contain this ingredient.

This is because many of the side effects and adverse reactions linked to chili peppers are caused by interaction of this ingredient with taste receptors on the tongue.

When using this supplement in an enteric coated tablet or encapsulated formulation, the active ingredients will not come in contact with taste buds thereby preventing potential negative responses.

When used topically, cayenne pepper creams are known to cause burning, stinging and/or redness at application sites in about 10% of users. These effects are purported to dissipate with continued use. Contact dermatitis is also possible with topical use.

NMCD states that intranasal use of cayenne pepper extract products causes nasal burning and pain in “most patients”. Excessive nasal secretions, sneezing and lacrimation (excessive tearing) are also possible.

If inhaled, cayenne pepper extract can also cause congestion of nasal passages, eye irritation, coughing and/or dyspnea (difficult breathing). Allergic alveolitis is also possible with intranasal use.

Note that cayenne extract can be extremely irritating to mucous membrane tissues in the eyes, mouth, lips, nose, etc. Blurred vision, redness, inflammation, intense pain and shortness of breath are all possibilities if contact occurs in these tissues.

Cayennes can interact with certain health conditions, medications and herbal supplements as well. You should talk to a health professional about cayenne pepper side effects and safety before beginning to supplement your diet.

Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits

Capsicum annuum is a species in the botanical genus, Capsicum. There are numerous cultivars of chili peppers from this species grown worldwide. Some of the most known include jalapenos, habaneros, cayennes, serranos and Mexican bells.

All members of Capsicum annuum contain bioactive molecules called capsaicinoids. The most studied of these is called capsaicin. Some chili peppers contain more capsaicin than others. That is what determines how hot one pepper tastes compared to another.

For instance, Mexican bell peppers have almost no capsaicin, while an habanero has much more. The health benefits of cayennes and other chilis are believed to be mainly due to capsaicin.

According to 2016 research from Korea, “Previous records suggest pleiotropic pharmacological activities of capsaicin such as an analgesic, anti-obesity, anti-pruritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and neuroprotective functions.” [1]

Capsaicin activates the TRPV1 cation channel. TRPV1 receptors are found in many cell types throughout the body. Activating TRPV1 is believed to cause a diverse range of biological and neurological effects. [2]

The health benefits associated with cayenne peppers are believed to be mainly due to TRPV1 activation.

However, the precise mechanisms of action are not yet well understood. Research continues to explore how capsaicin activation of TRPV1 may affect human health.

In a 2016 review [3] of the biological activities of Capsicum annuum, it was asserted that capsaicin in hot chili peppers “may have potential clinical value for pain relief, cancer prevention and weight loss”.

Other data from this review asserts that, by activating TRPV1, capsaicinoids in chili peppers:

• Help to prevent gastric ulcers by increasing mucosal blood flow and mucus secretion;
• Alleviate pain in diabetic neuropathy, psoriasis, arthritis and postoperative neuralgia;
• Possess potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties;
• Demonstrate anticancer effects in cell line studies;
• Prevent the formation cholesterol gallstones;
• Protect the structure of erythrocytes;

Capsaicinoids also regulate the ultrastructure of the intestines to increase micronutrient permeability. That enhances nutrient uptake into the bloodstream; possibly benefitting various health areas. [3]

Research on cayenne pepper and other chili pepper extracts continues widely. More large-scale randomized human studies are needed to develop a better understanding of how capsaicinoids may improve health.

Make sure to use cayenne pepper dietary supplements according to the directions provided by the manufacturer or your doctor to reduce the likelihood of experiencing negative side effects.

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