Cayenne Pepper For Weight Loss

Cayenne Pepper is one of the best herbal remedies for weight loss. Different names recognize it in different places. Did you know the famous Red Hot Chili Pepper is nothing but Cayenne Pepper?

Cayenne Pepper has an array of health benefits amongst which, one is weight loss as well.

I understand, losing weight is not so easy! It has also become a major concern to think about because of the lifestyle we are carrying.

You must be wondering how red hot chili pepper will help you lose weight. I will explain that step by step.

But, for that, you will need to know more about this weight loss remedy.

What is Cayenne Pepper?

This pepper belongs to the genus Capsicum and is a cultivar of Capsicum Annuum. Paprika, bell peppers, and Jalapenos are related closely to the Cayenne Pepper.

It is majorly used to cook. People either use the whole of pepper or its powder. Many families in America and China use Cayenne Pepper.

Apart from cooking, the red pepper is also useful for therapeutic purposes. People have been using Cayenne Pepper for 9000 years, per history, for medicinal benefits.

Most cultivated varieties of this pepper require tropical or temperate climatic conditions. It takes some 100 days to mature.

The warm, moist, and nutrient-rich soil is essential for the peppers to grow. Cayenne Pepper plant is a perennial, small shrub that grows to a height of about 25 inches to 39 inches from the ground.

What does Cayenne Pepper look like?

The plant has a woody stem, which is covered by thick green foliage. In the flowering stage, the foliage has small creamy flowers that later grow into fruits.

The fruits are bright red, elongated, and slender pods. They have tiny, disk-shaped, and creamy-white seeds inside.

The pods are, in general, plucked only after they mature fully. They turn bright red in color after maturity.

The spiciness or hotness of the Cayenne Peppers is measured in SHU (Scoville Heat Units). Cayenne Peppers have 30,000 to 50,000 SHU on the Scoville scale, while the bell peppers have 0.

If you want to cultivate this hot pepper in your backyard, make sure you keep a distance of 1 foot at least, between different seeds, during seeding.

It grows in the raised beds or the large pots. If you don’t have a backyard and still want to cultivate Cayenne Pepper, you can use a large pot. It will limit the yields, but still, you will be able to grow them at your home.

Where Does Cayenne Pepper Come From?

Humans have been using Cayenne Pepper for the longest time. The scientists discovered Cayenne Seeds from the ancient human cave dwellings in South America.

The name of this red hot chili pepper is taken after the capital city of French Guiana, Cayenne. You will be excited to know that Christopher Columbus first discovered this chili.

The Mexican and South American regions used Cayenne Pepper extensively. Presumably, Cayenne Pepper is the oldest cultivated plant in the world.

Native Americans used Cayenne Pepper in various ways. One of the delicacies that time was chocolate, mixed with Cayenne Pepper. It was the Aztec Royalty.

Soon after the discovery in the American region, the red hot chili pepper reached eastern Asia as well. India introduced the healing pepper to Britain.

The Indians and Chinese use Cayenne Pepper for long, for cooking and medicinal purposes. Asian cuisines are seldom made without pepper now.

It is now grown extensively in India, East Africa, Mexico, and the United States. Indian food preparations have Cayenne Pepper powder as the main component.

It has many health benefits, which is why; including Cayenne Pepper in your regular diet is beneficial. I will explain its health benefits one by one in the later section.

Do you know how nutritious Cayenne Pepper is? Yes, peppers are highly nutritious, more because they belong to the Capsicum family. Capsicums are effective antioxidants.

What is the Nutritional Value of Cayenne Pepper?

Cayenne Peppers have a lot of nutrients comprising minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients.

• Cayenne chilies have a strong spicy taste from the alkaloid compounds, Capsaicin, Capsanthin, and Capsorubin. Capsaicin gives a hot and pungent character to the chili.
• Capsaicin has demonstrated anti-bacterial, anti-cariogenic, analgesic, and anti-diabetic properties. If you use it regularly, it can reduce the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in obese individuals.
• The fresh red and green chilies have a higher amount of Vitamin C. They are a rich source of this Vitamin. 100 Gram of fresh Cayenne Pepper can provide 76.4 mg of Vitamin C.
• Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant. The body for various functions like collagen production, preventing scurvy, and boosting the immune system needs Vitamin C.
• Among all the spices, Cayenne Peppers are probably the richest source of Vitamin A. A 100 Gram of Cayenne chili has 41610 IU of Vitamin A.
• Apart from the Vitamins, Cayenne Chili has antioxidant flavonoids like carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin. These antioxidants help your body to stay protected from the various harmful free radicals.
• Additional to all of the above, Cayenne chilies also contain essential minerals like Iron, Copper, Potassium, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium, and Magnesium.
• Additional to all of the above, Cayenne chilies also contain essential minerals like Iron, Copper, Potassium, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium, and Magnesium.
• Potassium is an essential mineral that your body needs. It balances the sodium levels in your body and is an important electrolyte to control the heart rate and blood pressure.
• Your body needs the Vitamin B complex, pretty much, for smooth functioning. Cayenne Pepper is a rich source of Vitamin B complexes like Niacin, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, and Thiamine.

Below is the detailed analysis of the nutritional value of Cayenne Pepper per 100 gram:

Nutritional Values

• Energy – 318 Kcal
• Carbohydrates – 56.63 g
• Protein – 12.01 g
• Total Fat – 17.27 g
• Cholesterol – 0
• Dietary Fiber – 27.2 g

Vitamins

• Vitamin A – 41610 IU
• Vitamin C – 76.4 mg
• Vitamin E – 29.83 mg
• Vitamin K – 80.3 mg
• Folates – 106 mcg
• Niacin – 8.701 mg
• Riboflavin – 0.919 mg
• Pyridoxine – 2.450 mg
• Thiamin – 0.328 mg

Minerals and Salt

• Iron – 7.80 mg
• Copper – 0.373 mg
• Potassium – 2014 mg
• Zinc – 2.48 mg
• Manganese – 2.00 mg
• Selenium – 8.8 mcg
• Magnesium – 152 mg
• Calcium – 148 mg
• Sodium – 30 mg

Apart from the above, there are also phytonutrients like Carotene, Cryptoxanthin, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin.

What is Cayenne Pepper Good For?

We use Cayenne Pepper mostly to add spice to our food. But I am sure you would not have known how many health benefits this spice possesses.

Even I was not aware of the essential health benefits that Cayenne Chili demonstrates until I researched about it. Not only for weight loss but also it is useful for other things.

People from ancient America and Asia have been using Cayenne Chili to add spice to their food and health benefits.

Right from improving digestion to helping to reduce pain, it has different health benefits. Check out the below list of the health benefits of Cayenne Pepper.

Relieves Migraine Pain

If you are looking out for a natural remedy to ease a migraine, Cayenne Pepper can help. How it does that is interesting.

You suffer from a severe headache in Migraines. So, when you have Cayenne Pepper, it generates a pain response and sends the signals to your brain. This way, your attention is diverted from the pain you have in your head.

It is similar to pinching yourself somewhere else than the head to ease the pain by diverting your brain. The spice in this chili increases blood circulation and releases your headache.

Helps Improve Digestion

If you face digestion-related problems often, this is to your happiness that Cayenne Chili can help relieve digestive problems. One of the most important processes in digestion is the production of saliva.

When you are hungry, your body produces saliva and prepares itself for food. Cayenne Pepper stimulates the salivary glands and helps in the production of saliva.

In addition to stimulating salivary glands, it also stimulates the digestive enzymes. Enzymes play an important part in the digestion of food in your stomach.

Also, proper salivation during digestion helps avoid bad breath.

Body Detox

Detoxification of your body is highly essential. It helps to reduce weight and also maintain good health.

Cayenne Pepper makes your body heat up and stimulates blood circulation. Also, when your body is heated up, you sweat more. Sweating is a kind of detox mechanism of your body.

Detoxification of the harmful chemicals from your body helps your skin to stay healthy.

Prevents the Blood from Clotting

Cayenne helps in fibrinolytic activity. It prevents atherosclerosis and heart attacks.

Blood clots are the blockages in the arteries. They restrict the blood flow in the body. These are harmful because they can cause serious problems like a heart attack.

The Capsaicin in Cayenne Pepper helps to reduce the lipid depositions in the artery walls. Also, it dilates the arteries and blood vessels for the clots to move.

Reduces Joint and Nerve Pain

The Capsaicin in the Cayenne Pepper can generate the pain response on the skin. It diverts the brain from the pain and thus, reduces it.

The amount of substance P, which carries the pain signals to your brain, reduces. Eventually, the pain also decreases.

Post-surgical pains are also relieved by Cayenne Pepper. Cayenne can reduce cancer pain, joint pains, or even the pain after amputation.

However, avoid using it until you consult your physician.

Helps in Psoriasis

Psoriasis happens when the skin cells are overproduced and form swollen patches on the skin. The patches are the areas of inflammation on the skin.

Capsaicin, present in the Cayenne Pepper, is beneficial to treat this condition. Many of the medical ointments have Capsaicin in them.

Scientists have found out that creams that contain Capsaicin, when applied to the inflamed patches on the skin for 4 – 5 weeks, can reduce Psoriasis.

Some people in Asian countries also use Cayenne leaves for the topical treatment of Psoriasis.

Boosts Metabolism of your Body

Cayenne chili increases the metabolic activities in your body. It reduces LDL cholesterol and helps to burn the excessive fat in your body.

Also, Cayenne chili heats your body. Once the body is heated, the blood circulation increases, and your body burns fatter.

Helps in Weight Loss

For all of you looking to lose weight naturally. Cayenne Pepper can help you shed those extra pounds from your body. It does this in various ways.

One is by curbing your appetite. Another is by increasing your metabolism and also by digesting the extra fat in your body.

I will explain the weight loss mechanism and recipes you can use in the next section.

Anti – Irritant

Cayenne Pepper is good to relieve your upset stomach. If you have a problem with ulcers, Cayenne chili can help.

Scientists have researched that Cayenne chili can increase mucous production and reduce acid production in the stomach. It increases the alkaline secretions, thereby reducing the ulcerations.

Cayenne chili can help in acidity and ulceration, but still, it is subjective. So, before you use it to reduce acidity, please consult your physician.

Rich Source of Vitamin A and E

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin to maintain healthy skin, hair, and eyes. If you don’t want to wear spectacles and keep your eyes healthy, make sure you take enough Vitamin A.

To your surprise, with just two spoons of Cayenne Pepper in a day, you can meet your daily requirement of Vitamin A.

Vitamin E helps in anti-aging. Vitamin E is for you if you want to reverse your age and look younger.

Vitamin E repairs the damaged skin. Vitamin E can help in the skin problems like wrinkles, blemishes, and other skin aging signs. Also, Vitamin E boosts your immune system and overall health.

Fights Cold and Flu

In cold and flu, heavy mucous forms. It irritates and causes further problems.

The Capsaicin in the Cayenne Pepper helps excrete the mucous out of the body. Once the mucous formation decreases, the cold and flu also reduce.

Moreover, having the Cayenne Pepper heats your body. It makes the immune system function better and fights against the bacteria.

Anti – Fungal and Anti – Bacterial

Because red pepper is extremely rich in Vitamins, it is a powerful anti-oxidant. It has a significant amount of Vitamin C apart from the other Vitamins.

Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system and fight free radicals. It neutralizes the free radicals, which, when bound to the cells, destroys them and causes diseases.

Cayenne can kill fungus and prevent the formation of fungal pathogens. In the in-vitro tests of its anti-fungal properties, Cayenne demonstrated an ability to kill 16 variants, including candida.

Candida is one of the most common fungal infections.

Anti – Cancerous

As you must be aware, cancer is caused by uncontrolled cell growth. If there is uncontrolled cell growth in any part of the body, that can lead to cancer.

Capsaicin in the Cayenne chili might be an effective natural remedy for reducing cancer. It is responsible for reducing the growth of cancer cells.

It can stop the formation of tobacco-induced tumors in the lungs and also prevent lung cancer due to smoking. Similar effects were seen in liver cancer as well.

Prevents Food Allergies

One of the most important properties of Cayenne Pepper is to protect the body from food allergies. Food allergies are something that you can measure.

When you have a food allergy, you know it is because you had something indigestible. Food allergies happen mostly due to leaky gut.

A leaky gut is a condition where the proteins and other components of your food, passes the gut and enter the bloodstream of your body. It lets the toxins enter the bloodstream of your body, making you ill.

Why is Cayenne Pepper Good for Weight Loss?

To lose weight is a task in itself. I understand that very well because I have been through the same. But, to lose weight naturally is the best thing to do.

While you might use different herbs to lose weight, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle that involves regular exercise and good food.

There should be a balance between your eating habits and body metabolism. When you eat too much, and your body cannot metabolize the fats, you gain weight.

Some food helps you lose weight. One such food is Cayenne Pepper.

Cayenne chili is one of the best ways to lose weight naturally because it works in different ways. It is thermogenic in nature. Thermogenic means something that causes heat.

Increases Metabolism

Fat metabolism is invariable for you to lose weight. If the fact that you are taking does not dissolve or digest, it will deposit in the adipose tissues.

For it to metabolize, a proper mechanism is needed. Metabolism of the body is disturbed due to various reasons, like hormonal imbalance, bad lifestyle, stress, or anything else.

To keep your body metabolism in sync with the food you intake, Cayenne can help. It heats the body and increases blood circulation.

This way, the metabolism is increased. The higher the metabolism, the lower is the fat deposition in your adipose tissues.

Curbs Appetite

One reason why you keep gaining weight is, eating food every time.

Capsaicin in Cayenne chili helps to curb the appetite. It is something important for you to lose weight.

There is a daily requirement of food in your body. Eating more than that makes you obese. Eating more than required by your body is harmful.

But, only taking Cayenne chili will not help. You need to have a healthy lifestyle. Exercise regularly and eat healthily.

Reduces LDL Cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is one of the major factors that cause obesity. It is the bad cholesterol that causes heart diseases as well.

Cayenne chili reduces the bad cholesterol in your body and helps to keep your heart healthy.

With a healthy heart, you can exercise better and lose weight.

Increases Detoxification

Detoxification is an important process in your body. It is a process where your body excretes out all the toxins.

One way to excrete the toxins out of your body is through the skin. While you sweat, the toxins in your body are expelled out.

Capsaicin increases the temperature of your body and helps the body to sweat. This process takes out the toxins.

When the body is heated, the metabolism increases and the metabolism increases in more fat burn.

Apart from all this, Cayenne Pepper also helps in the digestion of food. It regulates the glucose in your blood.

Having Cayenne Pepper regularly helps a lot to stay healthy and stay fit. I use Cayenne Pepper almost daily in my diet. I will share some of the recipes with you here.

How to Select and Store Cayenne Pepper?

Cayenne Peppers are available in the markets. You can buy the raw form or their powder. But, when you are buying the powder, be sure the store or the brand is reliable.

Many times, the powders are mixed and not pure. You can buy Cayenne chili powder online from amazon.com.

If you are buying fresh Cayenne Pepper from the stores, look for bright red-colored Cayenne Peppers. Make sure their stem is green.

Select the ones that are without any blemishes and molds. Touch it and feel it to confirm it is firm. Do not buy the ones that are soft and moist.

You can also buy the dried whole Cayenne Pepper. If you are unsure of the powder that you are buying, it is better to buy the dried chilies and powder them at home.

To store the fresh whole Cayenne Chili, you can take a plastic bag and keep that in your refrigerator. It can last for about a week.

If you have the whole dried chili, you can store that in an airtight container. Make sure to store it in a dry place. Dried chili lasts for six months and sometimes more. It depends on the climatic conditions.

To store the chili powder, take an airtight container. If there is any amount of moisture, the powder will get spoilt.

Cayenne Pepper Dosage and Best Recipes

By now, you must have got an idea about the importance of Cayenne Chili. But everything is good only when taken in the right quantity.

For that, you need to know the recommended dosage of the Cayenne chili.

Dosage

If you are looking for weight loss with Cayenne Pepper, below is the recommended dose.

In the powder form – It is recommended to take one to two teaspoons. If you are adding it to your stir-fries, you can take a little more quantity. But, if you are not familiar with this chili, it is better to go for the pills.

The recommended dose of Cayenne pills is 1 to 3 pills a day. But it is essential to consult your physician before using pills for weight loss.

Uses

You can use the dried Cayenne powder to spice up your drinks, juices, or stir-fries as well. Many people make sauce and chutney out of it.

In the Asian regions, especially in India, dried chili powder is used for pickling.

You can mix the Cayenne powder in water and add lemon to make a detox drink. It will also help you lose weight. It is somewhat similar to the Cayenne Pepper Diet and Master Cleanse.

Cayenne creams are effective in the case of skin irritations. Rub a little first on your skin and see if that suits you. Then you can use that on the affected areas.

You can use Cayenne chili for cooking in different ways. You can use the power of Cayenne chili or even its dried form. Make sure you wash it properly while using the whole fresh Cayenne chili.

You can use the fresh red Cayenne chili as a vegetable in your food preparation. Add only that much which you can bear. Indian food preparations have round sliced chilies.

In Chinese noodles, bright red Cayenne Pepper is used by slicing the fresh pods vertically. You can also use the powder if it.

Some quick recipes that you can try at home are below:

Cayenne Pepper and Lemon Detox Drink

People use Cayenne Pepper and Lemon detox drinks to lose weight. I have tried it. It is helpful for weight loss. You will be amazed to see the results.

But it is essential to be regular in following this. If you are not used to the Cayenne chili pepper, first try a small amount and if that suits you, then follow the recommended dose.

You can easily make this drink at home. It is also called Cayenne Pepper Tea. For that, have a look at the below details:

​Requirements

• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Powder
• 1 Lemon
• Lemon Squeezer
• Water

Method

• Take one teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper powder.
• If you are accustomed to having this powder regularly, you can take up to 1 tablespoon of powder.
• Add the powder to a glass and add and add hot water.
• Now take a lemon and squeeze it into the Cayenne water.
• Let it cool down a little and have it warm.
• If you wish, you can add fresh peeled ginger into this mixture to increase immunity along with weight loss.
• Have this every morning after you wake up.

People who take this tea in the morning have a day full of energy ahead. But, if this increases acidity in your stomach or makes you feel uncomfortable, avoid its consumption.

Dried Cayenne Pepper as a Side Snack

To make sure you have the Cayenne chili pepper daily, making a side snack is a good idea. It is easy too.

Ingredients:

• Yogurt
• Cayenne Pepper Fresh
• Salt
• Coconut Oil
• Frying Pan

Instructions:

You can have an appetizer with anything like stir-fries, roasted chicken, fish, etc. To make this, follow the steps below:

• Take some yogurt and add salt to it.
• Now take the Cayenne Pepper pods and wash them thoroughly.
• Pat them dry and make an incision in the middle of the pods vertically
• Add them to the salted yogurt and mix well.
• Keep it for a day so that the yogurt is absorbed in the chili.
• Now take the chilies and keep them under the sun to dry.
• Store the sun-dried chilies in an airtight container.
• When you want to use it to eat, fry it in a frying pan using coconut oil.

Some other ways to use Cayenne chili in your regular diet are:

• Use the chili powder to marinate chicken, fish, etc.
• Use the chili powder as a salad dressing or in your cocktails and mocktails.
• Use the dried whole Cayenne chili in your stir-fried.

​Side Effects of Cayenne Pepper

Before you use any of the herbs for weight loss, it is essential to know the side effects and precautions. Some of the side effects of Cayenne Pepper are as below:

• Excessive sweating
• Running nose
• Skin irritation
• Upset stomach
• Acidity
• Heartburn
• Increase in blood pressure

Precautions you must take while using Cayenne chili pepper:

• Pregnant and lactating mothers need to consult their physician before using pepper as a weight loss herb.
• Children might not be able to tolerate the spiciness of Cayenne, be careful.
• Be careful while cutting or using the Cayenne chili for cooking. If you touch your eyes by mistake, it will cause severe irritation.
• For patients with hyperacidity and gastric problems, consult your physician before using Cayenne in your diet.

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Closing Words

Cayenne Pepper is an effective natural herb for weight loss, but if it suits you well. It has many health benefits, including weight loss. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle by including healthy food in your diet and regular exercise.

Exercise is essential to keep you healthy and agile. Before trying any of the weight loss herbs, kindly go through the precautions and side effects. Not every herb suits everyone.

If you include the herbs in your regular diet, it will help you to stay healthy without much effort. Always remember, you have to be regular while following any of the weight-loss diets.

To lose weight is a natural process, which takes time.

If you like this article and find it helpful in your weight loss program, please leave a comment letting me know your thoughts or queries. Help others who are trying to lose weight by sharing this article with them!

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