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Red capsicum peppers (sometimes known as red bell peppers) are purported to have a number of health benefits, in addition to being a rich source of vitamins and nutrients.
Red capsicum contains carotenoids such as beta-carotene and other phytochemicals that have demonstrated anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Red cayenne peppers, a specific type of plant in the Capsicum genus, also contain the alkaloid capsaicin which exhibits a wide range of physiological effects and can be used as a dietary supplement.
Extracts from this pepper are believed to support healthy blood lipid levels, eye health, help to alleviate pain, support circulation, improve digestion and promote fat metabolism.
According to a 2016 article in the journal Molecules, capsaicin is currently being studied “in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, airway diseases, itch, gastric, and urological disorders.” [1]
Joints
Appetite Control
Vitality- Supports healthy digestion & blood flow
- Promotes joint function & pain relief
- Promotes appetite control & weight loss
Top Capsaicin Products* ❯Red Capsicum Peppers
There are various types of red capsicum peppers. This name is used to refer both to mild and sweet bell peppers as well as their spicy and pungent cayenne or chili pepper cousins.
There are also various peppers that begin their life cycles green, and then turn red as they fully mature.
Unlike chili peppers, red bell peppers do not contain any of the active ingredient capsaicin. This is the primary health-enhancing compound that has been identified in the capsicum fruit extract.
However, even though bell peppers are not a source of capsaicin, they still promote health benefits and are a nutritious food to add to the diet.
Red bell peppers are a source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2, Vitamin K, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B1, folate, fiber, molybdenum, potassium, manganese, phosphorus and magnesium.
These peppers also contain a range of carotenoids and flavonoids which are associated with anti-oxidant activity Some of the additional phytonutrients identified in this pepper are:
- Flavonoids (apigenin, hesperidin, isoscoparin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, myricetin, quercetin, hesperidin, apigenin, orientin, isoscoparin)
- Carotenoids (alpha-carotene, antheraxanthin, beta-carotene, capsanthin, capsorubin, cryptoflavin, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, vicenin, zeaxanthin)
- Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid)
- Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (gallic acid)
Research has shown that these plant chemicals are associated with positive effects on cardiovascular health, obesity, regulation of blood sugar, vision health, and more.
Red Cayenne Peppers
Red cayenne peppers have been used in traditional medicine practices for thousands of years. Historically, they have been used for stomach conditions and dyspepsia.
Modern research suggests benefits for joint pain, heart health and circulatory function. Adding more chili peppers to your diet or beginning to use a capsaicin supplement may support health in several ways.
Cayenne or chili peppers are purported to promote health benefits because they contain the alkaloid capsaicin. This alkaloid is produced exclusively within plants in the Capsicum botanic genus. [2]
Capsaicin is able to activate a cation channel called TRPV1 on cells, sometimes referred to as the capsaicin receptor. Activation of TRPV1 is known to affect calcium signaling and induce a range of physiological effects throughout the body.
There is a lot of current research directed at better understanding the ways that red capsicum peppers impact health in humans. Studies suggest benefits for obesity, back pain, cluster headaches, rhinitis symptoms, healing of skin lesions, fibromyalgia and more.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that more than 1800 dietary supplements and natural health products are available that contain capsaicin.
These products are formulated as creams, pills, swabs, nasal sprays, patches, capsules, tinctures, sauces and powders. Always use capsicum products according to the manufacturers’ recommended suggestions.
Red Capsicum Cardiovascular Benefits
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) reports that red capsicum chili peppers have been used as food and medicine for over nine thousand years.
UMM says that various species of Capscium annuum have been used to improve circulation by Indian, American Indian, Korean, Japanese and Chinese healers.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that green and red capsicum peppers are used traditionally for elevated levels of blood fats (hyperlipidemia), high LDL-C (hypercholesterolemia), clogged arteries (atherosclerosis) and preventing heart attack.
While capsicum peppers have been used traditionally for these purposes, they are not approved by the FDA as a drug for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Capsaicin and other phytonutrients in red chili peppers are purported to increase vasodilation, thermogenesis and circulation. They may promote blood flow through the body by supporting endothelial function and causing blood vessels to dilate or widen.
By delivering blood more efficiently through the body, arterial plaque deposits are better flushed, tissues are better oxygenated and the heart experiences less stress and wear. [5]
A 2016 research study from China states that “capsaicin and TRPV1 may be potential targets for the management of cardiometabolic vascular diseases and their related target organs dysfunction.” [5]
More studies are underway to determine the ways that green and red capsicum peppers might support the cardiovascular system and protect against oxidative stress.
Does Red Capsicum Work for Cancer?
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, ” Antimutagenic and tumoricidal effects of various Capsicum fruits, as well as capsaicin and other constituents, have been indicated in vitro and in animal research, as well as in various reviews.”
A 2016 research study from the School of Public Health at Sun Yat-Sen University in China stated that the biological effects of red capsicum peppers “might be related to prevention and treatment of several cancers, including lung, liver, breast, stomach, colorectum, cervix, and prostate cancers.” [6]
Preliminary laboratory studies suggest that capsaicin in red capsicum peppers exhibits anticancer and chemopreventive effects. However, there is no research available to evaluate capsicum’s effects on cancer in humans.
Multiple in vitro studies have shown that capsaicin inhibits the development, progression and survival of various types of cancer cells. Anti-cancer effects have been observed in models of liver (hepatic), gastric and pulmonary cancers. [3]
Like other compounds extracted from turmeric, black pepper, garlic, saffron and ginger, capsicum peppers seem to work by:
- Inhibiting the proliferation (rapid multiplication) of cancer cells;
- Inhibiting the invasion of healthy cells/tissues by tumors;
- Slowing down the migration (spreading) of cancer cells;
- Inducing normal cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells;
Capsaicin in red capsicum peppers may also help to sensitize tumor cells and make them more susceptible to the effects of radiation treatments and chemotherapy. [6]
While some early stage evidence indicates anti-cancer effects from constituents found in capsicum peppers, significantly more research is needed before any determinations of therapeutic efficacy can be made.
It is too early to say whether red capsicum extract has any effect on cancer risk in humans.
Conclusion
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, phytochemicals identified in both green and red chili peppers might be helpful for blood sugar regulation, controlling the appetite supporting immune function, supporting joint comfort, skin health, longevity and more.
Capsaicin in chili peppers activates TRPV1 receptors throughout the body, which are believed to induce a wide array of physiological effects in humans. However, the precise mechanisms of action are not yet well understood.
Consumption of chili peppers and/or using capsaicin dietary supplements is generally safe and not likely to cause serious side effects. However, there are some negative effects and possible drug interactions to be aware of.
Individuals may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach discomfort after oral intake of capsaicin-containing peppers.
Not everyone tolerates spicy foods well. Many whole peppers can cause a burning sensation on your mouth, lips, throat, tongue, eyes and other mucosal tissues.
If you want to achieve the positive effects linked to capsaicin supplementation without consuming hot chili peppers, some enteric coated dietary supplements are available that provide the ingredient in a bioavailable form, but do not irritate the mouth or digestive tract.
Ask your doctor about whether red capsicum extract supplements are appropriate for you, especially if you are currently taking blood thinners and medicines for high blood pressure.
- Fattori V1, Hohmann MS2, Rossaneis AC3, Pinho-Ribeiro FA4, Verri WA5. Capsaicin: Current Understanding of Its Mechanisms and Therapy of Pain and Other Pre-Clinical and Clinical Uses. Molecules. 2016 Jun 28;21(7). pii: E844. doi: 10.3390/molecules 21070844.
- Sheila Keating. Chillies: Final edition. The Times. 2007:61.
- Clément Kouassi Kouassi, Zinzendorf Yéssé Nanga, Serge Joseph Lathro, Solange Aka, Rose Koffi-Nevry. Bioactive Compounds and Some Vitamins From Varieties of Pepper (Capsicum) Grown in Cote D’iviore. Pure and Applied Biology. 2012;1:40
- Srinivasan K1. Biological Activities of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and Its Pungent Principle Capsaicin: A Review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016 Jul 3;56(9):1488-500. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2013.772090.
- Sun F1, Xiong S2, Zhu Z3. Dietary Capsaicin Protects Cardiometabolic Organs from Dysfunction. Nutrients. 2016 Apr 25;8(5). pii: E174. doi: 10.3390/nu8050174.
- Zheng J1, Zhou Y2, Li Y3, Xu DP4, Li S5, Li HB6,7.Spices for Prevention and Treatment of Cancers. Nutrients. 2016 Aug 12;8(8). pii: E495. doi: 10.3390/nu8080495.
Article last updated on: July 5th, 2018 by Nootriment