Garlic and cayenne are used as flavor or spice additions to meals, but for thousands of years, these edible additions have also served as healing foods for a variety of ailments. With the numerous potential benefits of using garlic or cayenne as part of a balanced daily diet, you may also decrease your risk for heart disease, digestive disturbance and cancer. Ongoing research evidencing effectiveness of either food is promising, however, before using garlic or cayenne for treating health conditions, consult your physician.
Beneficial Components of Garlic and Cayenne
Garlic is categorized as a vegetable in the Allium class of plants. Cayenne is considered a fruit from the capsicum class of peppers. Both are claimed to contain antioxidant properties, however, the American Cancer Society indicates that this is not fully substantiated in cayenne. Antioxidants are important for keeping your body clean of free radicals, which damage your cells, resulting in diseases like cancer or arteriosclerosis. The primary healing component and active ingredient in garlic is the compound allicin, which is a sulfur derivative, states the National Cancer Institute. The active substance in cayenne is capsaicin, which acts as a sensory nerve pain reliever. Garlic and cayenne are edible in natural form or as supplements.
Cancer Prevention
The National Cancer Institute recognizes garlic as one of many vegetables with anticancer properties, however, all of the exact types of cancer garlic may prevent is part of ongoing clinical research. Large population studies evidence the benefits of garlic in reducing the risk of stomach, breast and colon cancer, when garlic is a consistent staple in daily nutrition. The amount of garlic required in your daily diet as well as the form of garlic consumed for reducing cancer risk is part of ongoing research. According to the American Cancer Society, use of cayenne or the active ingredient capsaicin in preventing cancer is minimally evidenced in clinical studies. Capsaicin shows promise in slowing the growth of prostate cancer cells in lab-conducted animal studies. The benefits to humans, however, remain under investigation.
Cardiovascular Health
The antioxidant properties of garlic show promise as being beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular-related diseases, including high cholesterol, hypertension and circulatory problems. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, daily use of garlic decreases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels while also raising high-density lipoprotein levels, which is important for keeping your arteries free of plaque. Ongoing research continues to determine the benefits of garlic on cardiovascular health. The use of cayenne in cardiovascular health is also promising. Consuming cayenne peppers daily increases blood flow and keeps your blood vessels from narrowing, when added to an existing healthy diet. However, research on the amount of cayenne required daily to maintain cardiovascular health is ongoing and inconclusive.
Additional Benefits
Garlic has use as a common cold preventive or symptom reducer, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Garlic may also serve to kill bacteria that lead to ulcers and skin fungal conditions. To get the most benefit from garlic in preventing colds and strengthening your immune system, consume daily doses or use a standardized supplement. Cayenne is most notably researched for alleviating pain associated with arthritis, inflammation from psoriasis and muscle aches from fibromyalgia, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Topical forms of capsaicin cream or ointments are available over the counter to treat aches and pains. Before using garlic or cayenne supplements, consult your physician.
Standard Doses
Consume fresh garlic or cayenne for the most natural source of active ingredients and to prevent interactions. Add fresh garlic cloves, chopped or minced, to your main entrees. Fresh cayenne pepper is also a spicy addition to meals or you can add a cup of boiling water to a teaspoon of cayenne powder and drink it as a tincture. In choosing supplements, the standardized dose of freeze-dried garlic tablets is 200mg, taken three times daily. Cayenne powder capsules containing varying forms levels of capsaicin are also available, and package labeling should be followed to determine safe dose. Before using supplements, consult your physician for safety.
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