Is Capsaicin an Alkaloid?

Capsaicin, a naturally found alkaloid, is what makes chili peppers taste hot. Alkaloids are complex nitrogen-containing compounds found mostly in plants. More than 4,000 species of plants contain alkaloids, and more than 3,000 types of alkaloids have so far been identified. Not only does capsaicin have wide use as a culinary herb, its versatility and potency has led to its use in other areas, such as pharmacology.

Features

Like other alkaloids that include nicotine, morphine and ephedrine, capsaicin has physiological effects. It is metabolized throughout your body, especially in your liver, kidneys and lungs. These organs contain large amounts of the needed enzymes that process these compounds, which would otherwise be toxic. Not only does capsaicin occur in nature, it can also by synthesized in the laboratory, like many other alkaloids. The pungency of capsaicin is measured by the Scoville scale.

Scoville Scale

In 1912, pharmacologist Wilbur Scoville established a scale to measure the hotness of different hot peppers, which can vary considerably. A method of comparison was necessary to standardize extracts of the alkaloid used to make capsaicin liniments for arthritic pain. Initially, Scoville employed a panel of tasters to rate peppers according to his scale, but machines are used now. Humans can detect capsaicin in concentrations as low as 1 part per 11 million.

Hotness

The higher the Scoville number, the higher the level of capsaicin and the hotter the pepper. For example, a jalapeno pepper contains 3,000 to 5,000 Scoville units, while a habanero, which is much hotter, has 200,000 to 300,000. The concentration of capsaicin varies by species and growing conditions. Like other alkaloids, capsaicin has a number of effects on your body, some of which are potent. While the most common use is as a topical application for pain, it has long been regarded as a digestive aid.

Effects

Capsaicin is thought to stimulate your appetite. There is data to suggest that it may help decrease cholesterol and slow clot formation. Furthermore, capsaicin has been attracting the attention of many researchers because it appears to have merit for treating obesity and metabolic conditions that involve obesity, such as liver disease and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a symptom of syndrome X or metabolic syndrome, which often leads to type 2 diabetes.