Red Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits, How It Works & Adverse Reactions

Red cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum) are a moderately hot type of chili used to flavor spicy foods.

Consumption of these peppers is linked to several health benefits including normal blood clotting function, reducing appetite, alleviating pain, promoting digestive function and supporting healthy blood lipid levels.

Cayenne peppers and other members of the (Capsicum) genus contain different amounts of the active constituent capsaicin, as measured by Scoville Heat Units.

The more capsaicin in a chili pepper, the more pungent it tastes. For instance, a mild red paprika pepper will score between 100 and 1000 on the Scoville scale.

Some of the hottest peppers, like Bhut Jolokia (ghost pepper) score more than 2 million on the Scoville scale. Red cayenne peppers score between 30,000 and 50,000 Scoville units.

Red cayenne extract supplements can be purchased online in the form of oral capsules, bulk powders or liquid tinctures. A popular option is Solaray Cool Cayenne brand which is enterically coated to protect sensitive stomachs.

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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Red Cayenne Peppers

Red chili peppers can refer to any type of pepper in the Capsicum genus that is red in color. Other examples include red poblanos (anchos) and bell peppers.

Red cayenne peppers are a unique type of chili (C. minimum), generally long and skinny with a slightly curved end.

This pepper contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium and manganese. Thee are different varieties of cayenne and they vary significantly in their capsaicin content.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, (UMM), red cayenne peppers have been used for thousands of years for a variety of therapeutic and culinary purposes.

Cayenne is a culinary staple in many world regions including China, Mexico, southern Italy and southeast Asia.

Native American, Chinese, Ayurvedic, Korean and Japanese healers have used these peppers for various digestive disorders and for supporting heart health. Cayenne has also been used topically in a cream for alleviating pain.

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD), cayenne extract is also used for:

• Digestive issues like heartburn, trouble swallowing, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach cramps and colic (obstructed intestines);
• Cardiovascular conditions like poor circulation and excessive blood clotting;
• A condition marked by imbalanced blood lipids (fats) called hyperlipidemia;

Red cayenne peppers are also used orally for toothache, malaria, sea sickness, fever and alcoholism.

Applied topically, extracts of red chilli peppers are used to alleviate pain associated with shingles, back injuries, osteoarthritis, RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and fibromyalgia.

It is also used topically for diabetic neuropathy (nerve dysfunction), post-surgery recovery, neuropathy associated with HIV/AIDS and post-herpetic neuralgia.

Capsaicin in red cayenne is also used topically for muscle spasms, to deter thumb-sucking/nail biting and as a gargle for treating laryngitis.

Extract of Capsicum peppers are also used intranasally via a spray for migraine and cluster headache, perennial and allergic rhinitis (nasal inflammation) and sinusitis (sinus inflammation.

While there are many traditional uses for capsaicin extracts, the FDA has only approved this product as a topical cream for pain relief. Many of its other purported uses require more research to evaluate efficacy.

Red Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits

Red cayenne is used in folk medicine to stimulate circulation, reduce stomach acid and to promote detoxification.

In traditional medicine practices, it has been used to reduce cramping, alleviate digestive ailments, and as a remedy for migraine headaches

Many of the folk uses of this pepper require further research to determine clinical efficacy. However, some of the medicinal uses have been well-studied and are supported by research.

Cayenne peppers appear to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They have also been shown to exert analgesic, antibacterial, anti-cancer, androgenic, antidiabetic, antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral effects.

Cayenne Supplements for Pain

Capsaicin is associated with analgesic or pain-relieving effects. While most research studies have focused on topical use of capsaicinoid creams, there are some clinical trials that have investigated its use as a dieter supplement.

Like all peppers that contain capsaicin, red cayenne is believed to reduce production of Substance P; a neurotransmitter that communicates pain signals to the brain.

Using capsaicin creams or supplements for pain causes a period of decreased sensitivity, temporarily inhibiting the brain’s recognition of pain.

Applied topically, capsaicin extract binds to the skin’s thermoreceptors and nociceptors. This excites neurons and causes heightened sensitivity at the application site. Over time, the receptors are down-regulated and become less responsive.

The capsaicin also causes cutaneous blood vessels to dilate, allowing them to displace more blood without elevating blood pressure.

NMCD states that, “Several clinical studies show that applying 0.25% to 0.75% capsaicin cream topically temporarily relieves chronic pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, and neuralgias including shingles and diabetic neuropathy.” [1]

In animal studies, capsaicin has been found to reduce pain when taken topically, orally or by injection.

Red Cayenne for Weight Loss

There are more than 1700 dietary supplement products available that contain capsaicin. Some of them are marketed for weight loss and weight management purposes.

User reviews of these products online are generally favorable with positive results reported for appetite control and body fat mass. Some users claim that cayenne extract helped them lose weight by boosting metabolism and circulation.

Does clinical research support the use of red cayenne pepper for weight loss? Preliminary evidence seems positive, but more studies are necessary to make a conclusive determination.

A 2012 meta analysis reviewed data from 20 high-quality weight loss studies involving more than 500 subjects. The research results showed that cayenne supplementation:

• Increased fat oxidation relative to carbohydrate oxidation;
• Increased calories metabolized;
• Decreased appetite;

In one human study, capsaicin was shown to increase the number of calories burned daily by 50 kcals. There are 3,500 calories in a pound of fat, meaning that it would take 70 days to lose one additional pound of body fat. [3]

Additional Benefits

A 2016 research review of Capsicum annuum peppers reported analgesic, thermogenic, anti-inflammatory, prodigestive and heart-protective effects. [2]

In one animal study, rats eating a diet high in cayenne pepper experienced “favourable effects on atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver, cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension and stroke risk.” [4]

NMCD rates capsaicin as Likely Effective for pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, and neuralgias such as shingles and diabetic neuropathy.

NMCD rates this extract as Possibly Effective for back pain, cluster headache, fibromyalgia, perennial rhinitis and prurigo nodularis.

More research is needed to determine the health benefits of this plant extract for other uses. The FDA has approved topical capsaicin creams as a treatment for chronic pain but has not approved other medicinal uses of this supplement.

Capsaicin-containing chili peppers are rated Likely Safe when taken appropriately in amounts common found in foods. However, some people are more sensitive to hot peppers and may experience side effects like allergic reactions.

Red cayenne pepper supplements can cause nausea, indigestion, mouth and throat irritation, flatulence, diarrhea, ulcer aggravation and gastrointestinal discomfort.

If you experience any of these negative effects, taking a product like Solaray Cool Cayenne may help. This product is formulated with modified guar gum vegetable fiber and annatto to protect the stomach against burning sensations.

Large doses of this pepper could cause liver and kidney problems. Capsaicin may interact with certain health conditions, medications and herbal supplements.

Before using a red cayenne extract supplement or increasing your dietary intake of this pepper, consult with a doctor to determine whether it is safe and appropriate for your needs.

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