Why You Need to Add Cayenne Pepper to Your Food

  • Category: Food
  • February 22, 2018

Adding cayenne pepper to your diet can boost your wellbeing with a host of health benefits. A moderately hot chili pepper used to flavor dishes; cayenne pepper is both a spicy food additive and natural medicinal supplement derived from the red pepper– capsicum annuum. The active ingredient in cayenne is capsaicin, which may be used as an herbal treatment to alleviate pain and inflammation.

Vitamin Dose
One tablespoon of cayenne pepper provides 44 percent of the daily value (DV) for vitamin A, which you need for a healthy immune system and sharp vision. It also contains 8 percent of the DV for vitamin E and 7 percent of the DV for vitamin C. Cayenne is also rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants that help protect cells from free-radical damage. Although more research is needed, evidence shows that flavonoid intake is linked to reduced risk of heart disease, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. 

Weight-Loss Aid
Although it’s no substitute for a healthy diet, the capsaicin in cayenne water could help you lose weight. In a study published in the journal “Appetite” in 2012, researchers reviewed existing trials and found that people who took capsaicinoids burned an extra 50 calories per day, had reduced belly fat, and ate fewer calories. Although study authors weren’t sure exactly how capsaicin works, they noted that it may aid in weight loss by increasing energy expenditure and fat burning while reducing appetite. 

Healthy Hydration
Drinking cayenne water contributes to proper hydration, helping your body run at peak performance. Your body is about 60 percent water, and you need a constant supply of liquids to regulate body temperature, lubricate your joints, nourish your cells, and aid in digestion. According to the Institute of Medicine Guidelines, most men should drink about 13 cups of total fluids per day, while women should drink about 9 cups per day. With exercise or hot weather, you may need even more. 

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