17 Health Benefits of Crushed Red Peppers
Overview
Crushed red peppers have several potential health benefits with great taste. You will be amazed how this red spice can improve your overall health. It contains several antioxidants that keep you healthy and increase longevity. Crushed red peppers help reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and joint pain. In addition, crushed red peppers may improve heart health, reduce the risk of stroke, and lower blood pressure.
Crushed red peppers are suitable for your eyes, hair, and skin. They improve hair growth and give firmness to the skin as they induce collagen production. So they make you look younger. Although scorching spices can cause heartburn, crushed red peppers can boost your metabolism and improve your gut health, and interestingly, they help you to shed some pounds. Crushed red peppers control hunger and reduce your appetite. They can help you treat migraine headaches and relieve joint pain. Crushed red peppers are a rich source of iron and copper and help treat anemia and fatigue. Also, they contain folic acid, which helps to prevent birth abnormalities in newborn babies.
Cayenne pepper may help you relieve the common cold and flu symptoms. They are excellent antifungal agents and effective against several virus strains. Also, high in vitamin C, a natural antihistamine, and can prevent allergies. They are also effective in treating autoimmune diseases such as Psoriasis. In last, they are a natural remedy for toothache. Crushed red peppers are easy to add to your deal meal, and you easily enjoy their benefits.
1- Boost Your Metabolism
Crushed red peppers may boost your metabolism and improve the rate of fat burn. Red peppers have the compound capsaicin which has metabolism-boosting properties. It accelerates metabolism by thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is a process of heat production in the body stimulated by several factors like food and chemicals. This heat or energy is necessary to perform all metabolic reactions. It includes energy expenditure involved in ingesting, digesting, and processing food.
Capsaicin helps increase the amount of heat produced by the body and burns more calories daily. Thus the consumption of red peppers can aid weight loss and induce diet thermogenesis. In one study, people who ate a breakfast containing capsaicin and medium-chain triglyceride oil burned 51% more calories during the meal compared to those who had neither.
In another study, people who ate 1 gram of red cayenne pepper only burned 10-more calories over four and a half hours compared to those who did not eat cayenne pepper.
2- Improves Digestive Health
Crushed red peppers are rich in antioxidants and other compounds that help with digestive issues like upset stomachs, intestinal gas, diarrhea, and cramps. They stimulate gastric juices and reduce the acidity of the digestive tract. Crushed red pepper may also help boost the stomach's defense against infections by increasing digestive fluid production and helping deliver enzymes to the stomach to aid digestion.
They protect the digestive tract from injury by stimulating nerves in the stomach. Crushed red peppers improve digestive healthy by inducing saliva production. Saliva is essential for digestion and prevents bad breath. The research suggests that consuming cayenne pepper stimulates the salivary glands to produce saliva required to initiate the digestive process.
Some may believe consuming spicy food may cause stomach ulcers. But crushed red peppers can reduce the risk of stomach ulcers. Crushed red peppers contain capsaicin that can inhibit the bacteria H.plyori, the most common cause of ulcers.
3- Reduce Hunger
Crushed red peppers may reduce hunger and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Many studies show that capsaicin in cayenne peppers helps curb cravings and help reduce appetite. Capsaicin may reduce the production of the hormone Ghrelin.
Ghrelin is a hormone responsible for controlling hunger and signals the brain to eat. Ghrelin's primary function is to increase appetite. It makes you consume more food, increase calorie intake and store fat. It also burns excess fat because it accelerates metabolism. Consuming crushed red peppers may aid in weight loss. One study showed that people taking capsaicin ate less food throughout the day than those who did not eat any. Those who take capsaicin supplements ate 10% less. In contrast, those who drank a capsaicin-containing beverage ate 16% less. Also, people in the same study reported feeling fuller and eating fewer calories.
Another study found that consuming 1 gram (g) of cayenne pepper in a meal may slightly increase core body temperature. That results in the burning of additional calories.
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which is a thermogenic compound. In some cases, participants also had less desire to eat fatty, sweet, or salty foods after consuming capsaicin. Similarly, a study published in Plos One found that consuming cayenne pepper for breakfast creates less appetite. Hence, people eat fewer calories during the day.
4- Relieves Migraine Pain
Crushed red peppers may help to relieve migraine pain. Researchers suggest that spices such as cayenne pepper can stimulate a pain response in different body parts. Cayenne peppers contain the substance P, or pain chemical that reduces pain sensation. It distracts the brain to change its attention to the new site. And the brain will not focus on the head where the pain is present, causing the migraine headache.
Capsaicin from chili peppers has also shown beneficial effects in treating headache patients. A study was conducted by the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on 18 patients with headaches. The capsaicin is administered intranasal. The 13 patients feel relief from headaches. The researchers found that capsaicin desensitizes the trigeminal nerve and decreases the CGRP. Both are responsible for treating migraine pain.
5- Relieve Pain
Crushed red chilies have powerful pain-relieving properties when applied to the skin. Capsaicin is an active compound in cayenne pepper responsible for reducing the amount of substance P. The substance P is a neuropeptide produced by the body that carries pain messages to the brain.
When a lesser amount of substance P is produced, pain signals can no longer reach the brain, and feelings of pain decrease. It is also involved in activating inflammatory substances in joints. Creams or ointments containing 0.0125% purified capsaicin may reduce pain and tenderness from osteoarthritis.
For example, in one study, the participants get relief by applying the cream three times daily to the sites of their pain. However, some people experience an unpleasant burning sensation as a side effect of this treatment. Capsaicin is available as a skin cream and is recommended for the following conditions.
- Joint and muscle pain( arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Lower back pain
- Pain after surgery
- Pain from nerve conditions like shingles
The capsaicin cream will not apply to an open wound or broken skin.
6- Treat Psoriasis
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which your body attacks itself. Psoriasis is an example of an autoimmune disease in which skin cells replicate too quickly and result in swollen patches under the skin. Skin appears as patches of red, itchy, and scaly. These scaly patches are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production.
Now, no cure has been found yet for Psoriasis. But somehow, capsaicin creams can help relieve itching and improve the appearance of psoriasis-affected areas. Two trials were conducted that showed the beneficial effects of cayenne pepper. They topically used 0.025 percent capsaicin (cayenne pepper) cream to treat Psoriasis.
The first study showed a significant decrease in scaling and redness during six weeks in 44 patients with moderate and severe Psoriasis. The second was a double-blind study of 197 patients, which found a significant decrease in scaling, thickness, redness, and itching. When Psoriasis was treated with capsaicin cream four times daily for six weeks.
It suggested the effectiveness of capsaicin cream in treating Psoriasis due to the effect on substance P. As mentioned above, capsaicin reduces the amount of substance P produced by your body.
7- Treat Cold and Flu
Cayenne pepper is a natural remedy for the common cold and flu. Cayenne pepper may help relieve the common cold and flu symptoms. Cayenne pepper is a rich vitamin C source that helps kick that nasty cold. It helps in breaking up and moving congested mucus. A capsaicin nasal spray can relieve congestion.
Cayenne pepper also raises your body temperature, making you sweat and relieving high fever. Cayenne pepper is packed with beta-carotene and antioxidants that support your immune system. The characteristic red color of chili peppers is due to the high content of beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A.
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining a healthy respiratory, intestinal, and urinary system. Also, vitamins A and C in chili peppers can stimulate the immune system to fight the virus. They are vital in building up your immunity against infections and illnesses.
8- Improves Cardiovascular Health
Crushed red peppers can improve cardiovascular health in many ways. It naturally supports the cardiovascular system and prevents heart disease. Crushed red peppers contain high content of potassium. A mineral essential for performing human body functions, such as:
- Regulating blood pressure
- Water retention
- Protecting against stroke
- Prevent osteoporosis
- Prevent kidney stone
Potassium combined with folate can reduce the chances of developing heart disease. Potassium can relax the blood vessel and makes it easy to flow blood in the body. Also, crushed red peppers contain riboflavin and niacin. They both are responsible for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of heart disease.
Cayenne encourages fibrinolytic activity and helps prevent blood clots. Blood clots are the main reason for heart disease. The blockages in arteries and blood vessels may limit blood flow in the body. In this way, cayenne pepper is effective in preventing heart attacks.
Studies show that the capsaicin in cayenne pepper may help clear artery-narrowing lipid deposits and dilate arteries and blood vessels to clear away clots. The reason is that capsaicin reduces the oxidation of fats in the blood and protects it against free radicles.
9- Reduce Cancer Risk
Crushed red peppers are a natural remedy for cancer and contain high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Capsaicin and antioxidants can kill cancer cells in leukemia and prostate cancer. It reduces cancer risk by attacking many pathways in the cancer cell growth.
Research shows that capsaicin can slow the growth of cancer cells and even death of cancer cells effective against prostate, pancreatic, and skin cancer. The data from California's Loma Linda University suggests that cayenne peppers may be effective in helping prevent lung cancer in smokers. A high amount of capsaicin can inhibit the formation of tobacco-induced tumors in the lung.
Similar effects observe when they expose liver tumors to cayenne peppers. Capsaicin's effects on cancer cells seem promising, but all studies were conducted in laboratory and animal studies. There are no studies conducted yet on humans to observe capsaicin's effects on cancer.
10- Antifungal Properties
Crushed red peppers are also known for their antifungal properties. They have the ability to kill fungi and prevent the formation of fungal pathogens. Several studies were conducted to determine the antiviral property of cayenne pepper.
The studies show that cayenne pepper has an active compound, CAY-1, effective against 16 fungal strains, including Candida. Candida is part of our natural microflora that lives on the skin and inside the body in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina. Most of the time causes no issues, but overgrowths and infections can happen. Or it may enter into the bloodstream or internal organs like the kidney, heart, or brain. The symptoms are hormone imbalance, joint pain, digestive problems, and a weak immune system.
Also, crushed red peppers can kill food pathogens and bacteria like H. pylori. H.pylori is known for causing ulcers. In addition, cayenne pepper helps form protective juices in the stomach that can prevent bacteria growth. Cayenne peppers are used to cure many inflammatory bowel diseases.
11- Decrease Risks Of Type 2 Diabetes
Crushed red peppers can reduce the risk of high insulin blood levels, a common symptom of Type 2 diabetes. It slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and lipids. It contains anthocyanins that inhibit the activity of two digestive enzymes, alpha-glucosidase and lipase.
The enzyme Alpha-glucosidase aids in breaking down carbohydrates into glucose. And lipase helps in the degradation of fats or lips into fatty acids. It slows down digestion which reduces the concentration of blood sugar and lipids.
Crushed red peppers are high in antioxidants. They exert excellent antioxidant activity. High levels of blood glucose and hyperlipidemia are more prone to oxidative stress. Cayenne peppers contain high levels of phytochemicals which act as powerful antioxidants. The phytochemicals reduce the harmful free radicals released due to oxidative stress and lower the risk of various health complications caused due to diabetes.
In addition, crushed red pepper contains antioxidants, including:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta carotene
- Choline
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Cryptoxanthin(a source of vitamin A)
12- Improve Cognitive Functions
Crushed red peppers can improve cognitive function. The proper amount of oxygen and iron has required to maintain cognitive performance. Chili peppers are rich in iron, and iron helps in the formation of blood.
The iron induces heme synthesis, forming oxygenated blood cells called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells and carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. Crushed red peppers can increase blood flow and hemoglobin production in your brain. Resulting in improved cognitive function.
They can also decrease the risk of developing cognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's. Crushed red peppers contain the chemical substance apigenin, known as flavonoids, which positively affect memory and learning.
Also, crushed red peppers are highly antioxidants and help improve cognitive function. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation. Removing free radicals may help prevent several health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.
13- It May Improve Longevity
Cayenne peppers possess excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress of cells which causes many inflammatory diseases or aging. Consuming crushed red peppers may improve longevity. Also, antioxidants reduce the risk of many chronic diseases such as heart, cancer, respiratory, and many more.
A study by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences discovered that people who consume spicy food have a better chance of having a longer life. The spices increase the potential of having a long healthy life. Over seven years, the researchers found that individuals who ate spicy foods three to seven times a week had fewer chances of experiencing cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
In 2015, an observational study of nearly half a million people in China. It shows that people who ate more spicy foods were less likely to die of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases than those who did not or rarely ate these foods. The authors concluded the effect was due to capsaicin. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
14- Promotes Red Blood Cell Growth
Crushed red peppers benefit heart health and help with new blood cell formation. Cayenne peppers are rich in copper and iron, essential for red blood cell formation. They can treat symptoms of anemia and fatigue. Iron is a crucial factor in producing red blood cells or hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is a protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen to every part of your body. It is also a vital component of myoglobin, similar to hemoglobin found in muscle cells. A low level of iron can reduce red blood cell production.
Additionally, crushed red peppers contain folic acid, which is key to fighting anemia and producing healthy red blood cells.
Folic acid is beneficial for pregnant women because a deficiency in folic acid can cause congenital abnormalities in newborn babies, such as spina bifida. Also, folic acid is used for many other conditions like depression, stroke, a decline in memory and thinking skills, and many others.
15- Improve Ocular Health
Crushed red peppers are a rich source of vitamins A and C, essential for strengthening the immune system. Moreover, it is also vital to maintain healthy and strong eyesight. Vitamin A is necessary for maintaining a clear cornea, the outside covering of your eye. Thus vitamin A can produce clear vision. Also, vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin, a protein in your eyes that allows you to see in low light conditions.
The deficiency of vitamin A causes Xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disease that begins with night blindness. If the insufficiency of vitamin A continues, tear ducts and eyes can dry out. Due to this, the cornea becomes soft, resulting in irreversible blindness. Vitamin A is known for preventing night blindness and ocular degeneration.
Vitamin A may also help protect against other eye diseases. Some studies suggest that diets high in vitamin A may be associated with a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. One tablespoon of chili pepper contains 9% of your daily recommended need for vitamin A. Add some spice to your diet and improve your eye health.
16- Keeps Your Hair and Skin Healthy
Crushed red peppers are high in vitamin C, strengthening the immune system and improving your hair and skin. Vitamin C creates and maintains collagen, a vital protein in healthy hair and skin. The deficiency of vitamin C can cause brittle and dry hair.
Collagen also helps optimum hair growth levels and keeps hair healthy. Thus vitamin c is essential for healthy hair. Also, collagen is the main component of your skin. It is responsible for strengthening skin, elasticity, and hydration. Collagen provides skin firmness that makes it soft and looks younger.
Crushed red peppers are used in a face mask to deal with skin inflammation. It can also treat wrinkles, acne scars, and dark spots. Cayenne pepper essentially stimulates blood flow which leads to flawless skin. Cayenne pepper can also make a great hair mask when mixed with olive oil to give your hair some luster and shine.
17- Relieves Toothache
Cayenne pepper is an old-fashioned remedy used for toothache. The crushed red pepper has anti-irritant properties that decrease deep tooth pain. It also increases local blood flow.
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin that gives a heat sensation to chilies and is commonly used to relieve nerve pain. That familiar burn that makes chili peppers feel so lethal is caused by capsaicin as it interacts with the nerves in your tongue and nasal passages.
It is also effective for the nerves in your teeth. Capsaicin can block pain signals to the brain and create a numbing effect. They are used remedies with salt to soothe toothache. Or use a few drops of cayenne oil, put on a cotton wool ball, and rub it around the tooth.
