Cayenne is one of the most widely consumed culinary spices in the world. The active ingredient attributed to both the medicinal property and heat of cayenne is capsaicin -- it has a content ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units. The hotter the pepper is, the more capsaicin it contains. Whether cayenne can cure diabetes, however, is up for debate -- promising evidence exists, but further research is necessary. Always follow the dietary guidelines set forth by your physician and do not use cayenne in place of your regular medication.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic health condition characterized by an excessive amount of sugar in the bloodstream. This is due to the body's inability to efficiently create or use insulin -- the component necessary for regulating blood sugar. The most common form of this disease is Type 2 diabetes, which primarily develops in overweight and obese people with a diet high in sugar and fat, according to PubMed Health. Type 2 diabetics are typically able to eliminate the condition by making dietary and lifestyle changes. However, consuming capsaicin-containing cayenne may prove beneficial. An April 2010 article published in "Obesity" found that consuming capsaicin lowered obesity-induced insulin resistance in obese mice. Researchers administered a 0.15 percent capsaicin supplement for 10 weeks.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes usually emerges in early childhood and is considered an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own immune system; it does not have a cure and requires strict adherence to a dietary and insulin program set forth by a physician. However, an article published in "Cell" in December 2006 found that injecting capsaicin in mice with Type 1 diabetes effectively killed nerves in the pancreas, thereby stimulating the production of insulin, essentially "curing" the mice.
Metabolic Syndrome and Gestational Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance syndrome, is an associated condition of diabetes; in many cases, it is a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. Many signs and symptoms present in Type 2 diabetes are applicable in this condition as well, including high blood glucose and excess weight -- particularly around the midsection. Although making the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes can effectively eliminate this condition, cayenne may aid in recovery as well. According to a September 2007 article published in "FEBS Letters," the anti-inflammatory properties of capsaicin helped to reduce obesity-induced inflammation that facilitates insulin resistance.
Gestational diabetes, which appears only during pregnancy, requires the supervision and guidance of a physician due to the delicate nature of the growing baby. Although eating a sensible and balanced diet is necessary, you may also require medication. Eating cayenne is typically safe for pregnant women, but the University of Maryland Medical Center advises to avoid cayenne supplements.
Bottom Line
Although studies suggest that the capsaicin content of cayenne can treat and possibly cure diabetes, further research is required to establish the long-term efficacy this compound has on diabetic humans. Instead, eating a varied diet low in sugar and fat, and regularly exercising is an effective means of controlling the disease. Supplementing with cayenne may help to improve your condition, but check with your doctor first, and continue to take any prescribed medicines.
References
- PubMed Health: Diabetes
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Cayenne; Steven Ehrlich, NMD
- "Cell"; TRPV1+ Sensory Neurons Control β Cell Stress and Islet Inflammation in Autoimmune Diabetes; Rozita Razavi, et al; December 2006
- "The Chemical Languages of the Nervous System"; Josef Donnerer and Fred Lembeck; 2006
- "Obesity"; Dietary Capsaicin Reduces Obesity-induced Insulin Resistance...; J.H. Kang, et al.; April 2010
- "FEBS Letters"; Capsaicin, a Spicy Component of Hot Peppers, Modulates Adipokine...; Ji-Hye Kang, et al.; September 2007
