Helps to reduce inflammation
From the chilli pepper family, Cayenne contains high level of ‘capsaicin’, which gives it the heat we associate with Chilli Peppers. Capsaicin has been studied in laboratories and tested on animals to see how it works and the results have shown that it’s an effective treatment for nerve pain, including pain associated with arthritis. In tests, animals that were injected with a substance to cause inflammatory arthritis were then given a diet of capsaicin.
The results showed they had delayed onset of arthritis and significantly reduced inflammation in their limbs. The exact mechanism of action takes place when capsaicin helps to block something called substance 'P', basically a chemical signaller in the brain that plays a major role in the inflammatory and pain response in our bodies. As well as being effective in treating arthritis, capsaicin is excellent in relieving pain from diabetic neuropathy, rheumatic pains, fibromyalgia, pain in the joints and other swellings.
Helps to prevent migraines
Migraine is usually caused by a restriction in the blood vessels in the head. Cayenne pepper can help because it's thought to equalise the blood pressure across the whole body and therefore relieve pressure in the head. Capsaicin also releases endorphins in our bodies. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter produced by the body and used internally as a pain killer.
They're a strong analgesic that induces a sense of happiness and pleasurable feelings because they react with our opiate receptors in the brain. This can lead to feelings of euphoria but, when the receptors are triggered by natural processes as opposed to taking opium and/or morphine, it's not addictive. Instead, you'll have a sense of well-being with a natural come-down that can be easily pepped-up again when you have your next capsaicin intake. The release of endorphins also lowers blood pressure and is thought to be an important factor in the fight against cancer.
Increases metabolic rate
The metabolic rate is the speed at which chemical reactions in the body take place and can vary according to age, body mass, weight, height and gender. A person's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), also known as metabolism, is the number of calories required to keep the body functioning while at rest and men need at least 500 calories more each day than women.
Exercise, stress, fear and illness will all increase a person's metabolic rate. Studies show that the capsaicin in cayenne pepper speeds up the metabolism by up to 20% for up to 2 hours, causing the body to produce extra heat and so burn more calories for fuel. It also increases fat oxidisation and so enables the body to better use fat as fuel. Another significant benefit is the suppression of appetite, thereby cutting cravings for the fatty, salty and sweet foods that we all know are bad for us
Improves circulation
Traditional Asian medicine and the Indian practice of Ayurvedic medicine have both used Cayenne to treat poor circulation. Poor circulation occurs when fatty compounds called plaque accumulate inside our blood vessels which limits blood flow. When capsaicin touches the tongue, signals are sent to the brain, which in turn signals to nerve endings throughout the body to increase blood flow.
As waves of fresh blood pump through our veins, symptoms such as cold hands and feet are relieved. The increased blood flow is also a benefit to vital organs, aiding the healing of muscle and tissue, which receive additional nutrients through increased blood flow. Toxins are also carried away, including from damaged or wounded areas. Capsaicin is used in the treatment of various circulatory diseases including varicose vein prevention and haemorrhoids. Interestingly, if a capsule is swallowed as opposed to touching the tongue, the beneficial effect isn't anywhere near the same.
Helps the heart
Cayenne has become a popular alternative treatment for high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels. Both can lead to angina and other chronic heart conditions, which can prove fatal in later life. Cayenne preparations have the amazing ability to help the body dissolve fibrin, a substance that forms blood clots. By stopping blood platelets from clumping together and forming clots in the first place, Cayenne allows the blood to flow more easily.
Studies show that cultures around the world using this pepper have far lower levels of heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism and there’s also anecdotal evidence to suggest cayenne can be administered during a heart attack to minimize its destructive effects or even stop a heart attack occurring in the first place. In addition, the strong antioxidant properties help to reduce damage from free radicals, which can cause the destruction of blood vessel walls and lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Helps with psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition that causes much distress for sufferers, mentally and emotionally as much as physically. Capsaicin helps to relieve the itching and inflammation from psoriasis by stimulating blood flow and nutrients to the skin, blocking the communication system of sensory nerves and so reducing pain and discomfort in many sufferers and reducing the appearance of unsightly plaques or lesions.
By applying a topical cream, ointment or gel containing capsaicin, studies have shown significant improvements in the condition. The concentration of capsaicin in topical creams can vary however and higher concentrations can cause a burning sensation but this improves the longer it's used and takes about a week to work. The initial burning sensation means that it's not suitable for application on sensitive areas of the body such as the eyes and mucous membranes. In poultice form, cayenne has been used to treat snake bites and general wounds and sores.
Clears mucus, colds and influenza
People with ear, nose and throat conditions usually suffer from various levels of inflammation and congestion caused by a build up of mucous. Cayenne pepper helps because it can break up and move congested mucous. This is also a great remedy for colds and influenza since once mucous begins to leave the body, symptoms are greatly relieved. Capsicum is a good source of vitamin C, helping to boost the immune system to fight off infections in the first place.
The health benefits from the vitamin C content come from the bioflavonoids. These help the body produce white blood cells, especially those that are present in the lymphatic system, which works by cleansing and detoxifying cells and tissues. In addition to the antioxidants already mentioned, Cayenne pepper also contains beta carotene, which further supports the immune system and which is boosted when we sweat and have a rise in body temperature from the spicy peppers.
Promotes weight loss, controls appetite
In the increasing and never-ending battle against obesity and diabetes, Cayenne pepper has been proven in trials to be extremely important by curbing appetite, speeding up metabolism and burning calories. The National Institute of Health revealed more successful weight loss results for people ingesting cayenne pepper.
Capsaicin is a thermogenic chemical, which speeds up metabolism and decrease appetite and this makes it one of the best natural herbs for weight loss. With the rise in body temperature from eating a hot pepper, the body tries to counteract this by cooling down. This process uses up energy and calories are burned because the body is forcing a cool-down process. Research using a control group has identified that by eating just half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper per day with meals, metabolism can be boosted by as much as 25% when compared with people who weren't in the control group.
Fights ulcers and helps digestion
A significant proportion of any population suffers from stomach or digestive problems that are difficult to cure. As the human body goes through the ageing process, hydrochloric acid levels present in our stomachs tend to decline and this can cause poor digestion. Cayenne pepper helps the body to create hydrochloric acid which is not only important for good digestion but also in absorbing nutrients.
Studies have shown that cayenne pepper, contrary to previous advice from doctors to steer clear of spicy foods, can actually help to rebuild healthy stomach tissues as well as aid the journey of food through our intestines. Cayenne pepper is also thought to play a part in protecting the stomach from ulcers in the first instance. Ulcers have different causes but, if they’re as a result of a bacterial infection, cayenne pepper can help to protect the stomach by stimulating gastric juices which, in turn, fight bacteria. Generally though, Cayenne pepper acts as a local anaesthetic and can also control bleeding.
Contains potential anti-carcinogenic properties
It's been identified that capsaicin has anti-carcinogenic properties by working in the body to promote ‘apoptosis’, which is the natural cycle of cell death and renewal, self-termination or suicide if you like. When cells become cancerous, they try to fight against apoptosis and, if they succeed, they’ll eventually spread and overtake the body with cancer.
Research has shown that, when cancer cells were treated with capsaicin, the compound attacked the mitochondria in the cancerous cells. Mitochondria are have been termed the ‘powerhouses’ of cells as they generate the energy that our cells need to fulfil their functions. This energy comes from a chemical called ATP and, in cancerous cells, both the mitochondria and the ATP are what we seek to destroy when we fight them. The consumption of capsaicin rich cayenne pepper has been shown to strongly influence their decline without harming any healthy cells in the vicinity.
Cayenne pepper is really wonderful in so many ways for our health, that we all really should be taking it as part of our daily diets, to help with our current state of health and set up up for a healthy future too.
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