If you enjoy spicy food and seek a way to enhance your overall health, consider incorporating cayenne pepper water into your daily routine. This beverage is created by mixing ground cayenne pepper with water, and it can be enjoyed either hot or cold, offering various potential health benefits (via Livestrong). While commonly used as a spice in cooking, cayenne pepper also serves medicinal purposes. The health benefits largely stem from capsaicin, a compound that gives peppers their signature heat. Essentially, the more capsaicin present, the spicier the pepper. Cayenne pepper rates between 30,000 and 50,000 Scoville heat units, making it moderately hot (via Verywell Fit).
Capsaicin, when applied topically, offers therapeutic effects and is often used for pain relief and reducing inflammation. However, when consumed, cayenne pepper provides even more benefits, such as managing weight, reducing cancer risk, and lowering blood pressure, making it a superfood in many respects. Read on to discover how cayenne pepper can positively impact your body when consumed regularly.
You may lose weight
Drinking cayenne pepper water can enhance your health, including your metabolism. As per the Cleveland Clinic, capsaicin can boost metabolism through diet-induced thermogenesis. The heat from cayenne pepper increases body heat production, leading to more calorie burn and a higher metabolic rate. A study in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand found that eating chili pepper increased metabolism in women, lasting at least 30 minutes.
Additionally, cayenne pepper can suppress appetite, preventing extra food intake. A study in Appetite observed that higher capsaicin consumption reduced the desire to eat post-dinner and increased satiety.
Your digestive health may improve
For those with digestive issues, cayenne pepper can be beneficial. Despite its reputation for causing gut trouble, the Cleveland Clinic notes that cayenne pepper aids digestion by boosting gastric juices and enzyme production. Registered dietitian Alexis Supan explains, “Cayenne pepper is really helpful for digestion. It increases gastric juices and enzyme production in the stomach, which helps us break down food.”
Cayenne pepper also contributes to a healthier gut microbiome, a collection of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in your gut. A diverse microbiome is linked to better digestion and overall health. A study in Nutrients shows regular capsaicin treatment enhances gut microbiome diversity, improving health.
You could ward off cancer
Cancer is a daunting prospect, but studies indicate diet can play a role in prevention. A study in Cancer Research found capsaicin from cayenne peppers slows prostate cancer cell growth. Another review in Anticancer Research explains capsaicin acts as a phytochemical with anti-cancer properties, altering gene expression related to cancer survival and metastasis. Capsaicin could complement chemotherapy in treatment.
Cayenne pepper is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and more, which help eliminate free radicals that can lead to cancer (via National Cancer Institute).
Your immunity may increase
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin and other nutrients like vitamin C, offering 72% of the daily recommended intake in just one 45-gram pepper (via Healthline). Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system, helping produce white blood cells and clearing free radicals that can damage them.
Vitamin C also supports skin health, maintaining the protective barrier.
You could relieve pain and inflammation
Chronic pain and inflammation are challenging, but cayenne pepper may offer relief. Inflammation is a natural response to injury, but chronic inflammation can cause health issues (via Harvard Health Publishing). Capsaicinoids in cayenne pepper help combat inflammation (via Healthline).
Cayenne pepper also reduces pain by decreasing substance P, a neuropeptide that signals pain to the brain (via Mount Sinai).
You might be able to clear congestion
To tackle a stuffy nose, try cayenne pepper water. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper can alleviate cold symptoms like sneezing and congestion, according to Medical News Today. A study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found capsaicin nasal spray improved symptoms in people with non-allergic rhinitis.
Capsaicin may shrink blood vessels in the nose, reducing fluid buildup and discomfort (via Lifeblood).
You might experience acid reflux
While cayenne pepper offers many benefits, it can also cause acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation (via Livestrong). Capsaicin can irritate the stomach lining, increasing acid reflux risk. Avoid cayenne pepper if you have GERD or frequent acid reflux.
You might get diarrhea
Cayenne pepper water may cause diarrhea due to capsaicin’s effect on the gut, causing irritation and a defensive response (via Verywell Health). Capsaicin activates vanilloid receptor 1, signaling the brain of a burning sensation, triggering a quick expulsion response, leading to diarrhea.
This usually resolves in a day or two. In the meantime, avoid spicy foods, stay hydrated, and steer clear of caffeine.
You may experience complications with your medication
Cayenne pepper may interfere with certain medications. Livestrong notes that capsaicin may raise blood pressure, affecting blood pressure medications. It may also affect Theophylline absorption, used for lung conditions, and enhance blood thinners’ effects due to its antiplatelet properties. Pregnant or nursing individuals should avoid cayenne pepper due to potential irritation.
Your stomach may become upset
Spicy foods can be irritating, especially for sensitive stomachs, causing inflammation and pain (via Livestrong). While stomach lining is generally robust, excessive spicy food can cause gastritis. Capsaicin may improve or worsen stomach ulcers’ symptoms, depending on the individual. Avoid spicy foods if they cause discomfort.
Your heart health could improve
Cayenne pepper may reduce heart attack risk. A study in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology found regular pepper consumption reduced the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular deaths. Researcher Marialaura Bonaccio noted the protective effect of chili pepper was independent of diet type (via Everyday Health).
Your circulation may improve
Poor circulation can cause numbness, cramps, or cold extremities. Healthline suggests cayenne pepper can help, as capsaicin expands blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. Capsaicin also strengthens blood vessels and prevents plaque buildup.
Topical creams with cayenne pepper can also enhance circulation when applied to affected areas.
Your bone health may improve
Cayenne pepper’s capsaicin and vitamins benefit bone health. Healthline notes it provides 48% of the daily vitamin A value, essential for bone cell function (via American Bone Health). Bone health involves a balance of new bone formation and old bone breakdown, which slows with age (via WebMD).
Your vision may improve
Cayenne pepper’s vitamin A supports eye health (via Healthline). Vitamin A maintains the cornea and is part of rhodopsin, aiding low-light vision. Deficiency can lead to Xerophthalmia, causing dryness, corneal softening, and blindness. Increasing vitamin A-rich foods is recommended over supplements (Healthline).
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