Boosts metabolism, improves digestive health, treats lower blood pressure, can reduce pain, prevent cancer, protects the heart, clears congestion, helps detoxify, relieves joint pains, has antimicrobial properties, improves immunity, heal toothaches, improves skin and hair health, psoriasis and anti-fungal properties are some of the health benefits of cayenne pepper in your child’s diet.

Cayenne pepper has the power to improve your health drastically. It has been used for medicinal purposes for the past 9000 years! It is a spicy little pepper with many health benefits. Cayenne pepper is usually added to food in either its natural or powdered form, and it is used by some people as a cream or capsule in order to take advantage of its detoxifying properties.

Cayenne pepper contains a chemical called capsaicin. This is the most useful part of it. Using capsaicin for different health ailments is very common. Some of its most amazing medicinal benefits are listed below.

15 Must Know Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

Boosts Metabolism

Studies have shown that cayenne pepper can boost metabolism and even suppress hunger. Capsaicin, which is also called a thermogenic chemical, is responsible for this. Capsaicin is known to produce extra heat in our bodies and burn more fat and calories in the process. Research has found that taking foods rich in capsaicin can increase our body’s metabolic rate by 20 percent. A study found that people who took red peppers with every meal experienced fewer cravings and an enhanced feeling of fullness. This can mean adding capsaicin to your diet can suppress your appetite. So this also means cayenne pepper can help you in your weight loss mission.

Improves Digestive Health

The quality of your health depends on the quality of your digestive function. And with cayenne pepper, the latter (and the former) can both be taken care of. Cayenne has the ability to boost heart action and circulation which thereby accelerates the digestive process. It also helps to improve the stomach’s ability to defend infections and increase the production of digestive fluid. The pepper also smoothens the way important enzymes are delivered to the stomach. All of this enhances your digestive health.

Might Lower Blood Pressure

Cayenne pepper can help to reduce blood pressure. The pepper opens up blood vessels and increases blood flow. The rate of blood flowing through your system increases and the blood pressure naturally comes down. Capsaicin also affects the sensory nerves that work with neuro-hormonal systems and this again lowers blood pressure.

Can Reduce Pain

According to studies, capsaicin can reduce pain. The compound has great pain-relieving properties which work amazingly well when applied to the pain area. Capsaicin reduces the amount of substance P which is a chemical that delivers pain messages to the brain. This results in pain relief. This is why many pain ointments have capsaicin as one of their ingredients.

Can Prevent Cancer

In several studies, capsaicin has demonstrated the ability to induce apoptosis which is the death of cancer cells. It also prevents cancer cells from travelling across the body. Some studies talk about how capsaicin can help manage prostate cancer and the anti-tumor activity of capsaicin. It can be beneficial in treating cancers of the lung, breast, colon, and prostate.

Protects the Heart

As cayenne improves the health of blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, it automatically does good to the heart. It prevents blood clots, making it effective in preventing heart attacks. The capsaicin clears the lipid deposits that narrow the arteries. It is also effective in treating blood circulation problems, cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and palpitations.

Clears Congestion

Capsaicin in cayenne pepper helps to clear sinus congestion. Capsaicin might also have a beneficial effect on rhinitis. It can also help clear congestion caused by bronchitis and helps treat sinus infections, sore throats, and laryngitis. It may even help treat cold and flu and other related allergies.

Helps Detoxify

One of the most popular detox diets consists of cayenne pepper and lemon. This diet lowers the calorie intake. However, this diet is not widely recommended. Your body’s natural detoxification system is enough to keep you healthy. But this detox tonic can probably be a healthy alternative to sugary beverages once in a while.

Relieves Joint Pains

Applying creams containing capsaicin on painful joints improves the condition. Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve arthritis and joint pains. Applying capsaicin topically can also be effective for osteoarthritis pain and fibromyalgia.

Has Antimicrobial Properties

Cayenne pepper has antibacterial properties that can prevent infection in the case of an injury. It also has antifungal properties.

Improves Immunity

The antioxidants in cayenne pepper can enhance one’s immunity. The pepper also increases your body heat, and this is in turn strengthens your immune system as well.

Can Heal Toothaches

Using cayenne pepper for toothache is an old but efficient remedy. The pepper acts as a counter-irritant and decreases tooth pain. It increases local blood flow as well.

Improves Skin and Hair Health

The capsaicin in the pepper can soothe skin redness and can also treats acne-induced skin discoloration. The vitamins in cayenne pepper can also improve hair health. It can also add volume and shine to your hair.

Can improve Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disease as patches of red, itchy and scaly skin. Presently, there is no cure for psoriasis. However, capsaicin creams can relieve itching and improve the appearance of psoriasis-affected areas.

Anti-Fungal Properties

Cayenne pepper can kill fungus and prevent the formation of fungal pathogens. Cayenne pepper was examined to determine its in vitro antifungal activity, and the results found that it was active against 16 different fungal strains.

Side Effects of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper can cause irritation in skin, eyes, stomach, throat, and nose in some people. Excess of cayenne pepper can lead to kidney or liver damage. It can also increase bleeding during or after surgery. Also, it is not recommended for children under the age of 2 years.

Cayenne peppers have many health benefits because of their active component, capsaicin. These can help most people and usually is a great way to add a kick to your diet. But if you’re worried that cayenne peppers may interact with your current medication, it’s best to check with your personal physician.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-benefits-of-cayenne-pepper#section11

https://draxe.com/cayenne-pepper-benefits/