Overview
Cayenne pepper is a natural herb that may help you lose weight. This red
pepper may curb your appetite, speed up your metabolism, and help you burn
calories.
Keep reading to learn more about the potential health benefits of cayenne
pepper.
What the research says
The main active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin. Capsaicin is also
found in other types of peppers. Researchers believe that capsaicin is a
thermogenic chemical. A thermogenic chemical may help speed up your
metabolism and decrease your appetite.
Fewer cravings
A 2014 studyTrusted Source showed that people who consumed red pepper
with every meal felt increased feelings of fullness and had fewer cravings. The
study results suggest that adding capsaicin to your diet can suppress your
appetite. This can lead to a decrease in caloric intake and an increase in
weight loss.
Increased metabolism
An older study from 2003Trusted Source found that women who ate fresh chili
pepper raised their metabolic rate for up to 30 minutes after consuming it. Your
metabolic rate affects the speed at which your body converts food and
beverages into energy. When your metabolism is faster, your body is more
likely to convert nutrients into energy instead of stored fat.
Learn more: 5 vitamins to boost your metabolism and promote weight
loss »
A 2010 studyTrusted Source demonstrated the potential of dihydrocapsiate to
increase metabolic rates. Dihydrocapsiate is a capsinoid found in chili peppers.
It’s similar to capsaicin. People who took a dihydrocapsiate supplement for one
month raised their metabolic rates by about 50 calories.
More calories burned
In addition to increasing your metabolism, cayenne pepper is thought to help
you burn calories because it’s spicy.
When you eat a spicy pepper, it causes your body’s temperature to rise. When
your body’s temperature rises, your body goes into a cooldown mode. This
causes your body to burn calories. A 2011 studyTrusted Source found that
people who don’t like spicy food had better weight loss results when they
started taking cayenne capsules.
It’s thought that you can build up a tolerance to the effects of red pepper. As a
result, your weight loss may decrease the longer you take supplements or eat
spicy peppers.
How cayenne peppers are beneficial to overall health
Cayenne peppers may improve your overall health. A 2015 studyTrusted
Source found that cayenne pepper helped inhibit the growth of ulcers in rats.
Another study found that capsaicin has anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective
properties. The researchers gave supplements to 198 healthy participants and
178 participants with gastrointestinal conditions. Both groups experienced
gastrointestinal benefits from the supplements.
Studies in rats suggest that capsaicin may have positive vascular effects. As a
result, it may be beneficial to people with diabetes or people who are obese. It
may also help reduce risk for stroke and high blood pressure.
How to add cayenne pepper to your diet
You can add cayenne pepper to your diet in a few ways. You can cook with the
pepper, but this may be difficult to do each day. You can also buy powdered
cayenne pepper and add it to your water, smoothie, or protein shake. About 28
grams of fresh chili pepper or 1 gram of dried chili pepper can be enough to
provide benefits.
If you aren’t a fan of the taste of cayenne, try adding it to dishes that are
already flavorful. Add small amounts to curries, stews, chili, or Mexican food.
Or include capsaicin as a supplement in your diet. Take either 30-120 milligram
capsules or 0.3-1 milliliter of liquid tincture one to three times per day.
You can also make an infusion using up to 1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne
pepper per cup of water. Take a 1 teaspoon dose of this mixture in a small
amount of water a few times per day.
Both infusion and tincture could cause irritation to your eyes, nose, or throat.
Always start with a small dose to see how your body reacts.
The Master Cleanse and cayenne pepper
The Master Cleanse is a diet that lasts three to 10 days. While on the diet, you
drink primarily a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and
water.
This diet is said to detoxify your body. But there’s little scientific
evidenceTrusted Source to support the use of detox diets like the Master
Cleanse. You may lose weight only to gain it back again. It’s neither safe nor
sustainable as it doesn’t provide sufficient essential nutrients. Participants have
complained of headaches, fatigue, and irritability.
Instead of drinking this mixture for days on end, consider swapping a large
glass of it for a meal every so often.
Who shouldn’t take cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper in supplement form may not be safe for everyone. Don’t take
cayenne pepper supplements if you:
- are on medication that slows blood clotting
- have a scheduled surgery
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- take theophylline (Theochron, Uniphyl)
- take medication for high blood pressure
You should also avoid taking cayenne pepper in large doses or for extended
periods of time. It also shouldn’t be given to children.
Cayenne pepper can cause irritation if it comes in contact with your skin. It may
cause heartburn or stomach irritation, so start with a low dose to see how your
body reacts.