Farm fresh cayenne chilli powder 250g

Cayenne pepper is a hot chili in the Capsicum family. Cayenne pepper benefits may include relieving pain, reducing inflammation, treating colds, and more.

Cayenne peppers are closely related to jalapeño and bell peppers. They are a staple in Southwestern American, Mexican, Cajun, and Creole cuisine. Dried and ground, they make a powdered spice for seasoning and also feature whole in Korean, Sichuan, and other Asian cuisines.

Meanwhile, practitioners of traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines use cayenne pepper in several ways, including to help treat circulatory problems.

The spiciness comes from the pepper’s active ingredient, capsaicin, which is present in many topical preparations for aches and pains in muscles and joints.

In this article, we describe the nutritional contents of cayenne pepper. We also explore possible health benefits, how to incorporate more into the diet, and associated risks.
Benefits
The capsaicin in cayenne pepper may help with relieving pain.
Cayenne pepper may have a range of health benefits, and people may experience these by using preparations that contain capsaicin or by eating the peppers.

Capsaicin, an ingredient in cayenne pepper, may help withTrusted Source:
relieving pain
managing weight
easing itching
reducing inflammation
treating colds and congestion
protecting the nervous system
Scientific evidence does not support all of the uses above. However, some researchers have found that compounds in cayenne pepper may help in the following ways.

Boosting antioxidant activity
The antioxidants in cayenne pepper include:

vitamin C, which also supports the immune system
vitamin E
beta carotene
choline
lutein
zeaxanthin
cryptoxanthin, a source of vitamin A
Cryptoxanthin is also a type of pigment called a carotenoid, and it gives the pepper its red color.

Antioxidants offer a wide range of health benefits by helping the body removeTrusted Source free radicals — toxic substances that can cause harm if too many build up.

Removing free radicals may help prevent a range of health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

The body produces some antioxidants, while others come from the diet.

Which foods are good sources of antioxidants? Find out here.

Easing cold symptoms
Some people use cayenne pepper in home remedies for coughs, congestion, and to fight off colds.

may relieve symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, postnasal drip, and congestion when allergies or smoking are not the cause.

Capsaicin may have these effects by shrinking dilated blood vessels in the nose and throat.

Researchers behind a 2019 study involving 46 participants found that capsaicin nasal spray provided “significant rapid and sustainable relief” from the above symptoms — when allergies were not the cause. The improvement started as soon as 10 minutes after using the spray.

Meanwhile, a 2015 studyTrusted Source suggested that cayenne pepper may have antibacterial properties. In laboratory tests, scientists found that it combatted group A Streptococci, the type of bacteria responsible for strep throat and other diseases.

To make a home remedy that includes cayenne pepper, a person could try the following:

Combine 1/4 teaspoon (tsp) of cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp of ground ginger, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) of honey, 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp of water, then taking the mixture by the teaspoon.
Mix cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar into hot water, making a tea, to clear the sinuses.
However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to suggest that these home remedies are effective.
Relieving pain
Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne peppers, may have pain-relieving properties.

One review published in 2016 looked at the potential for capsaicin in a cream to reduce pain. The authors concluded that there may be benefits to long-term use.

Capsaicin may help alleviate pain by reducing the amount of substance P — a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain.

Creams or ointments containing 0.0125% purified capsaicinTrusted Source may reduce pain and tenderness from osteoarthritis, for example, according to one study. Participants benefitted from applying the cream three times daily to the sites of their pain.

However, some people who try this treatment experience an unpleasant burning sensation as a side effect.

Other research has suggested that taking oral capsaicin supplements may help relieve pain and discomfort in athletes. However, scientists are still investigating how this might work and what dosage might be effective.

There are also concerns that it may cause gastrointestinal distress in some people.

It is important to note that the findings above refer to medicinal rather than dietary uses of capsaicin.

How can the diet impact osteoarthritis knee pain? Find out here.

Easing skin issues
Capsaicin appears to have antibacterial propertiesTrusted Source that help protect the body from Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus. These bacteria can cause skin and soft tissue infections, such as impetigo and cellulitis.

Authors of a 2016 reviewTrusted Source concluded that capsaicin patches may reduce itching caused by various skin conditions, including psoriasis, as well as itching resulting from dialysis, a process of purifying the blood in people with kidney damage.

Here, learn about foods that can boost skin health.

Managing weight
Many products that contain cayenne pepper claim to boost metabolism and promote weight loss, but not all the evidence has been conclusive.

One studyTrusted Source found that consuming 1 gram (g) of cayenne pepper in a meal increased core body temperature slightly. This, in turn, would burn additional calories. In some cases, participants also had less desire to eat fatty, sweet, or salty foods after consuming capsaicin.

In 2018, scientists gave healthy volunteers a placebo, a 2-milligram (mg) dosage, or a 4-mg dosage of capsaicin for 12 weeks. Those who took the higher dosage experienced a reduction of nearly 6%Trusted Source in body fat, compared with those who took the placebo.

However, many other studiesTrusted Source have looked at cayenne or capsaicin combined with other ingredients, so it is not possible to identify the exact role of the pepper compound.

If further research indicates that cayenne or capsaicin helps the body burn calories, the pepper could become a healthful part of a weight management plan.