Benefits of cayenne pepper can improve your overall health. See 13 reasons why you should consume it daily!
If you do not tolerate spicy, we recommend that you begin to include cayenne in your recipes little by little in order to take advantage of all its benefits.
Some cultures use hot spices in almost all of their recipes, while others barely know about them.
In addition to enhancing the flavor of food, spices like cayenne have many health properties. Discover in this article 13 surprising reasons to incorporate cayenne pepper into your daily diet.
What is cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper (Capsicum Annuum) is a spice native to the American continent that is dried and pulverized to season and give a spicy touch to any recipe.
However, thanks to its amazing health properties, it is also marketed as a supplement. This superfood hides many nutrients:
- Vitamins (group B, C, E and K).
- Carotenes.
- Minerals (calcium, potassium, manganese).
- The substance responsible for the pungent taste is capsaicin.
Benefits of cayenne pepper and reasons to eat it every day
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Activate the metabolism
Cayenne pepper activates the metabolism. This is the function of the body that is responsible for increasing body temperature and energy expenditure. Thus, it is the one that makes us feel energetic and full of vitality. This property is achieved thanks to capsaicin.
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Cayenne pepper helps with weight loss
Regular consumption of cayenne pepper has been shown to be able to stimulate weight loss, according to a study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. This is due to its capsaicin content, which increases metabolism and increases lipid oxidation.
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Removes mucus
From the first moment we start consuming cayenne pepper we can feel how it helps us eliminate mucus.
This is very beneficial to prevent and treat the annoying symptoms of colds and flu. However, keep in mind that with this objective it is also essential to guarantee a good daily intake of vitamin C.
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Prevents throat conditions
In addition to removing mucus, cayenne increases body temperature, especially in the throat and stomach.
Consuming cayenne pepper is an excellent remedy, therefore, to give local heat to the throat internally. It must be taken into account that capsaicin itself acts as an anti-inflammatory, as confirmed by research published in Molecules. It can even generate a certain analgesic effect.
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Improves digestion
People who usually consume cayenne know that if they add a little of this spice to any dish they will have better digestion.
This spice stimulates the production of enzymes and gastric juices, facilitates the metabolism of food and prevents gas and flatulence.
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Alkalizes the body
Diseases usually appear when the body is acidified for different reasons. Consuming cayenne pepper helps counteract the acidity that we usually suffer, thanks to its alkalinity. In any case, it should be noted that there is no scientific evidence about this phenomenon.
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It is anti-inflammatory and analgesic
These are two of the great virtues of cayenne, its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. So says a study published in Experimental Lung Research.
Both make it perfect for preventing and treating all kinds of discomfort or pain in any part of the body: head, joints, allergies, contractures, teeth, etc.
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Prevents blood clots
Reduces the chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke by reducing arteriosclerosis and preventing the formation of clots.
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Purifies the body
It is a great detoxifier through circulation, lymphatic drainage, the intestine and sweat.
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It has anti-cancer properties
Some studies have shown how capsaicin together with the antioxidant power of vitamin C could prevent some types of cancer, such as lung cancer.
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Fight fungi and bacteria
Cayenne has a high antifungal and antibacterial potential, whether we consume it or apply it to the skin.
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It has laxative properties
Thanks to its calcium, magnesium and cinnamic acid content, cayenne helps regulate intestinal function and combat constipation.
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Take care of the heart
This spice is perfect for regulating blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus improving cardiovascular health. In addition, it helps prevent clots and improves circulation in general.
How to consume cayenne pepper?
Many people complain that they do not tolerate spicy food well, since it causes digestive discomfort.
However, it is important to know that we cannot consume hot spices all at once. Rather, we must gradually incorporate them into our diet.
We will start by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper powder to all our stews or cooked dishes, so that it integrates well with the ingredients. At first we won’t even notice it.
As time goes by, we will feel how the body asks us to increase the quantity, in the same way that happens with salt, but adding benefits for our health.
We recommend avoiding hot sauces and always opting for good quality pure cayenne, if possible organic.
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