A substance called capsaicin, contained in the seeds of some peppers, is what gives many dishes their spicy character. The legendarily hot cayenne pepper contains a large amount of capsaicin, which is also believed to have medicinal properties. As with many other spicy foods, cayenne has been used for centuries as a natural healer. Some of these uses -- such as cholesterol reduction -- are supported by modern medical science.
Cholesterol Basics
Your cholesterol, as measured by a doctor's tests, looks at the relationship between two kinds of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. Both are waxy substances produced by your liver and vital to your tissue health. LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is important to your tissue health, but it tends to clump up in your bloodstream and increase your risk for circulatory problems. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is a cholesterol that actually cleans LDL out of your blood. Your body produces LDL when you eat saturated fats and HDL when you eat unsaturated fats.
Cayenne Fruit Basics
Cayenne fruit is native to Central America, but now grown in tropical areas throughout the Americas. You can incorporate cayenne fruit into your diet by using the fruit or seeds in cooking, or by taking the powdered and ground fruit as a dietary supplement.
Reducing Cholesterol
The Nutritional Supplement Educational Center reports claims that cayenne pepper can reduce cholesterol levels. However, the claims it reports are made by some distributors and proponents of cayenne pepper as a dietary supplement. They further note that these claims have yet to be proven by clinical studies.
Related Benefits
The fiery acids in peppers like cayenne fruit can increase your body's ability to dissolve fibrin -- a substance that helps your body create blood clots. Although this does not directly affect cholesterol, it can improve cardiovascular health and mitigate the effects of high cholesterol. As with the cholesterol-reducing effects, these claims have not been subjected to rigorous clinical testing.
Bottom Line
Cayenne fruit won't stimulate your body to produce more harmful cholesterol. It may even have some dietary characteristics that can reduce your cholesterol level or otherwise improve your circulatory health.
References
- CDC: Cholesterol Basics
- "Chile's Angels"; Good Eats; Season 4, Episode 13
- Nutritional Supplement Educational Center: Cayenne Pepper
