Best Cayenne Pepper Supplements – Uses, Safety & Reviews

Cayenne pepper extract supplements can be used to increase your dietary intake of capsaicin without eating spicy chili peppers.

Cayenne supplements are purported to support healthy digestion, metabolism, blood vessels, appetite control, pain relief and more. In traditional medicine, it is considered to be a warming herb with an invigorating effect.

According to Now Foods, “Cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) has been used as a food and by traditional herbalists for thousands of years… Modern scientific studies have indicated that consumption of Cayenne may help to support cardiovascular and digestive functions.”

Cayenne extract contains capsaicin, which is what makes these peppers taste hot. The more capsaicin in a pepper, the spicier it will taste and the higher it will rate on the Scoville Heat Unit scale.

Cayenne pepper supplements are typically formulated to provide 0.25% capsaicin per serving, yielding a potency of potency of 40,000 H.U. (Heat Units). Some higher-potency products exist with ratings of 90,000 – 100,000 H.U.

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

Top Capsaicin Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Cayenne Pepper Supplements

Cayenne pepper supplements are available in powder, pill, liquid tincture, resin and whole food forms.

Cayenne has been used medicinally for thousands of years around the world. Healers from Korea, Japan, China, India and North America have long used chili peppers for a variety of therapeutic purposes.

Some of the most common folk uses include treating digestive disorders, reducing pain and improving poor circulation. Many of these traditional uses are supported by available research studies.

According to an article published in 2013 in the European Journal of Pharmacology, “A beneficial role of capsaicin has been reported in obesity, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal conditions, various cancers, neurogenic bladder, and dermatologic conditions.” [1]

However, most of the research available is from animal studies and not human research trials. The FDA has approved topical formulations of capsaicin for pain relief, but has not approved oral forms as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.

Cayenne peppers contain a number of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that may exhibit physiological effects. However, most effects are attributed to a bioactive plant alkaloid called capsaicin.

Capsaicin works by activating TRPV1 receptors, sometimes referred to as the capsaicin receptors. These receptors are located throughout the body including the brain, spinal cord, blood vessel, bladder, muscle and fat cells.

Cayenne Supplement for Weight Loss

Many people add cayenne peppers to their diets or use supplements to help them lose weight. Research suggests that capsaicin can increase metabolism, suppress the appetite and support body fat reduction.

While this supplement may support a weight loss diet, it is only likely to promote modest fat loss if taken on its own. More research is needed to determine its efficacy for long-term weight management.

A 2014 research review on the effects of capsaicin as an anti-obesity agent reported that this alkaloid:

• Increases the amount of stored fat burned for fuel relative to the amount of carbohydrates like glucose;
• Induces natural cell death (apoptosis) in preadipocytes and adipocytes (cells that store fat molecules);
• Increases heat production (thermogenesis) in white adipose (fat) tissue;
• Reduces metabolic dysregulation in obese and/or diabetic mice;
• Prevents the maturation of new fat storage cells (adipogenesis);
• Reduces caloric intake by reducing the appetite;
• Increases satiety after meals;

Research shows that cayenne extract promotes lipolysis, which is the breakdown of lipids (fats) into fatty acids which can then be burned for fuel.

Cayenne has also demonstrated positive effects on conditions including hyperlipidemia (high blood lipids), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and heart disease.

However, it has not been evaluated by the FDA for the prevention or treatment of obesity or cardiovascular disease. More research is required to determine how capsaicin supplements influence weight loss in overweight or obese individuals.

Cayenne Capsules for Pain Management

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, (NMCD), cayenne pepper is rated Likely Effective for improving pain.

This includes pain associated with conditions like diabetic neuropathy (peripheral nerve dysfunction), rheumatoid arthritis, shingles, back injury and osteoarthritis.

Capsaicin creams and ointments are used topically to treat pain and are FDA-approved for this use. However, research in animals suggests that oral supplements can also help to reduce pain symptoms.

User reviews cite benefits including reduced inflammation, better joint comfort, and alleviation of minor aches and pains. Based on anecdotal evidence, some individuals are able to reduce their use of OTC pain medications by taking this supplement.

Heart Health and Blood Pressure

Research suggests beneficial effects on cardiovascular function from eating cayenne peppers or using dietary supplements. These effects are believed to be due to the activation of TRPV1, which enhances intracellular calcium signaling.

TRPV1 activation is associated with changes in blood pressure regulation, oxidative stress and inflammation. [3] These receptors may also influence cardiometabolic risk, which refers to risk factors for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

In one human research study, consumption of cayenne chili peppers for four weeks resulted in a decrease rate of lipoprotein oxidation. Oxidation of blood lipids is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

In animal research studies, oral administration of capsaicin has been shown to increase blood flow and improve contractile function of the heart.

Capsaicin has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation (blood coagulation) and to increase fibrinolytic activity.

More research is needed to understand the effects of taking cayenne pepper supplementsfor heart health. The FDA has not approved this supplement as a drug for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Cancer Research

Extracts from the cayenne pepper have been studied for their anti-cancer effects, but research is too preliminary to determine any conclusive benefits.

In in vitro cell culture studies, capsaicinoids have been shown to promote apoptosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and to have antiproliferative effects in other types of cancer cells.

A 2016 research review of capsaicin’s anti-cancer effects reported that this alkaloid:

• Alters the expression of genes that control cell survival, growth arrest and metastasis in cancer cells;
• Selectively targets multiple genes, oncogenes and signaling pathways which suppress tumors;
• Inhibits the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) in cancer cells;

The authors of this meta-review stated that the “preponderance of the data strongly indicates significant anticancer benefits of capsaicin.”

However, there have not been any clinical research studies conducted to determine whether this pepper supplement can influence cancer risk or progression in human subjects. More research is needed to evaluate therapeutic efficacy.

Cayenne Pepper Supplement Reviews

According to NMCD, there are over 1789 nutritional products available that contain capsaicin or some form of cayenne pepper extract.

Some of the popular brands sold on Amazon include:

• NOW Foods Cayenne 500 mg Capsules
• Pure Mountain Botanicals Organic Cayenne Pepper Fruit Powder Capsules
• Nature’s Way Cayenne Pepper 40,000 HU Potency
• Solaray Cool Cayenne 600 mg
• Nature’s Way Cayenne Extra Hot
• Solaray Extra Hot Cool Cayenne Capsules 100,000

In addition to oral capsules, there are also liquid supplements and bulk powders available.

Some brands sell complexes of several ingredients combined together, such as a Cayenne and Garlic product, a Circulation Support supplement and a Vein Health Support Supplement.

Consumer reviews posted online are generally favorable for most cayenne pepper supplements. Some users report benefits including improved circulation, pain management, detoxification, weight loss, digestion and headaches.

However, some users do cite side effects including heart burn, stomach discomfort, indigestion, mouth or throat irritation or nausea. If you experience gastrointestinal upset, switching to a “Cool Cayenne” product may alleviate your symptoms.

Before taking cayenne pepper supplements to address a specific health goal, consult with your healthcare provider to determine whether this product is appropriate for you. Capsaicin may cause interactions with certain prescription medications, health conditions or herbal supplements.

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