Cayenne pepper is the name for a spicy powder made from dried cayenne peppers. Cayenne pepper has recently become a popular alternative weight loss supplement and pain reliever, and adding it in moderate amounts to your diet may help you be healthier.
Definition
Cayenne peppers are the fruit of the cayenne plant, which originated in South America. The peppers are usually dried and crushed into powder to use as a spice in food. Native Americans have traditionally used cayenne peppers as food and medicine for over 9 millennia, although it is now popular in many cuisines, including Cajun, Chinese, Italian and Mexican cooking. Cayenne has medicinal properties due to its capsaicin content, a substance that has pain relieving properties.
Weight Loss
Cayenne pepper seems to reduce hunger and reduce the calories you consume, while also increasing the amount of calories you burn, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Adding between 6 to 10 g of cayenne to a meal may reduce your feeling of hunger and help you consume fewer calories in following meals. In addition, 10 g of cayenne pepper may increase thermogenesis, or your body's heat production, increasing your body's metabolism. However, scientific evidence is currently insufficient to confirm its long-term weight loss effects.
Pain and Headache Relief
Capsaicin, the substance in cayenne pepper, has pain-relieving effects when consumed or when applied externally. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, capsaicin works by temporarily blocking a chemical called substance P that carries pain messages from your nerves to your brain. Capsaicin is used in several topical creams that relieve arthritis pain and itching from psoriasis, and it is in some medicines for cluster headaches. However, cayenne pepper is most effective at relieving stomach pain due to indigestion when it is consumed in food.
Sample Recipe
Use cayenne pepper in a variety of foods. One good recipe for you to begin incorporating cayenne pepper is a spicy scrambled egg omelet. Take two eggs, 1 tbsp. milk, ¼ cup cheddar cheese, and a dash each of pepper, salt and cayenne pepper. Scramble the ingredients together -- except for the cheese -- and pour into a small heated skillet. Stir continuously and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until moisture is gone. Top it with the cheddar cheese and serve warm.
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