Cayenne pepper, micronutrient components, capsaicin component, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, pain relieving activity, anitimicrobial activity, anti-carcinogenic activity, therapeutic advantages and culinary uses
Description : Cayenne pepper is a very popular spice belongs to Nightshade family. It is closely related to bell
Article Details :
Cayenne pepper is a very popular spice belongs to Nightshade family. It is closely related to bell pepper and jalapeño. It has been traditionally used for various medicinal and culinary purposes.
Nutritional profile
- It contains desirable amount of carbohydrates and fibres
- It contains various important amino acids as well
- It also contains fat, saturated and unsaturated fats both but does not contain cholesterol
- It is packed with several vitamins such as Vitamin A, vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and choline
- It also contains numerous important trace elements like sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, magnesium and manganese
- It contains a number of phytonutrients too
- The most important biological active component present in cayenne pepper is capsaicin that exerts various nutraceutical activities
Biological property
Antioxidant activity
- Cayenne pepper contains numerous imperative substances like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, choline, beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are accountable for exerting antioxidant activity
- In one word it is just filled up with antioxidants and its consumption is extremely beneficial for removing free radicals from body
- It also helps to protect the body from the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation

Anti-inflammatory activity
- Cayenne pepper has been traditionally used as an imperative pain reliever because of its capsaicin component
- It has strong anti-inflammatory activity, which is responsible for decreasing inflammation and pain
- It also helps to prevent joint swelling
- It has seen that capsaicin plays significant role in decreasing the concentration of substance P, which is a neuropeptide synthesized by the body that goes to brain to signal pain. As capsaicin reduces the amount of substance P hence pain signal can no longer reach the brain as a result the feeling of pain is decreased
- It is very effective for decreasing muscle pain, back pain and pain after surgery
Antimicrobial activity
- It helps to inhibit the growth and replication of microbes within host
- It is very effective against bacteria and fungus
Anti-carcinogenic activity
- Its consumption is linked with decreasing the prevalence of carcinoma and all the credit goes to its capsaicin component
- Capsaicin plays vital role in promoting apoptosis, which ultimately helps to suppress the growth of cancerous cells in body
- It also prevents metastasis that decreases the severity of cancer
- It helps to prevent tumor cell growth as well
- It has seen that its consumption is awfully helpful for decreasing the prevalence of prostate, breast, lung, skin, pancreas and colon cancer
Health benefits
Role on immunity
- Antioxidant activity of cayenne pepper is responsible for strengthening one’s immune system
- It helps to enhance the activity of immune cells and also enhances body’s resistance power, which significantly decreases the risk of becoming ill
Role on digestive health
- It plays vital role in protecting the digestive tract from injuries as it is directly linked with boosting the stomach defense against infections
- It is also associated with stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes hence helps in digestion as well
Role on detoxification
- Cayenne pepper has been traditionally used as an important detox substance
- It is closely related with revving up the circulation, which helps to clear toxins from body
- Consumption of cayenne pepper along with lemon significantly boosts up the detoxification process
Role on metabolism
- Capsaicin present in cayenne pepper shows potent metabolism boosting property
- It is associated with increasing the heat production of the body that ultimately makes the body able to burn more calories hence increases metabolism
Role on skin
- Micronutrients present in cayenne pepper play significant role in improving skin health
- Antioxidants present in cayenne pepper significantly decrease the prevalence of skin disorders as they help in protecting the skin from oxidative damages and also delay the ageing process
- It is very effective for treating psoriasis as its capsaicin component is responsible for decreasing the itching as well as red patches on skin and significantly improves skin appearance
- It also helps to prevent acne induced Read more
