Our fascination with Cayenne Pepper and all the wonderful things it can do for our bodies is nothing new. Back in 2006, Beyoncé made headlines when she lost 20 pounds in two weeks for her Dreamgirls role. How did she do it? With a detox drink that had Cayenne Pepper in it as the key ingredient. Throughout the cleanse, she didn’t eat any solid food, just this special drink infused with a hot chili.
While we do not recommend going to such lengths to drop the pounds, we can’t deny how effective Cayenne can be in boosting the metabolism. With a Scoville rating between 30,000 and 50,000, Cayenne is one of the few foods bursting with the chemical compound we call capsaicin. Several studies have established that capsaicin is incredibly effective in speeding up how quickly you burn energy.
That’s not all. Native Americans and many other tribes in Mexico and Peru have been using this slender, red chili as both a food and medicine for more than 9,000 years, indicating they were onto something long before modern science caught up. In this guide, we will explore the health benefits offered by the different nutrients in Cayenne.
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Cayenne Pepper Nutrition Facts
The reason why Cayenne is such a nutritional powerhouse is because it’s a rich source of several vitamins and minerals. Yes, adding a sprinkle or two to your dishes will add a spicy kick to your meals, but it will also help you consume a more balanced diet. Don’t believe us? Let’s take a look at the nutritional profile of these red hot peppers:
Vitamin A
One tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper contains around 2,205 IU of Vitamin A, which is about 50% of your daily value. In addition to improving your eyesight, this essential vitamin helps in the regeneration of new skin cells which makes your skin look fresh and youthful. If you’re struggling with skin problems caused by inflammation, such as acne or eczema, a good dose of Vitamin A can do wonders for you.
Vitamin B6
You also get 0.11 mg of Vitamin B6 from a tablespoon of Cayenne, which comes down to 5% of the daily recommended intake. Vitamin B6 is quite a multitasker: it helps your body convert food into energy and plays a noteworthy role in brain development and function. It also supports the production of serotonin and melatonin, which regulate your mood and sleep quality.
Vitamin C
With more than 4 mg per tablespoon, Cayenne chili peppers give you about 6% of your daily recommended Vitamin C. We don’t need to tell you how important this one is: it helps your body fight off colds and allergies; it boosts collagen to make your skin look smoother; it helps cuts and scrapes heal faster; and also supports your body in absorbing more iron from foods. If that wasn’t enough, Vitamin C is known to prevent cell damage caused by toxins from cigarette smoke and pollution!
Vitamin E
One tablespoon of Cayenne powder offers 1.58 mg of Vitamin E, which is around 10.53% of your daily value. It may not sound like a lot but with Vitamin E, every bit counts. It protects your skin from aging and sun damage and gives you shiny hair by promoting scalp health. Vitamin E found in Cayenne also helps keep your hormones in balance, which is especially beneficial for women during their menstrual cycle. It’s a powerful antioxidant that prevents the formation of free radicals and keeps your blood flowing smoothly so your heart can do its job.
Manganese
You get 0.1 mg per tablespoon, which is 5% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) per day. If you are pre-diabetic, diabetic, or have irregular blood sugar levels, manganese can help in better insulin regulation. Since it makes your bones stronger, manganese is also poignant if you have low bone density or a family history of osteoporosis; but it should be taken along with other essential minerals like calcium and vitamin D.
Those on plant-based diets or diets that restrict certain food groups often lack manganese, so the addition of Cayenne Hot Pepper in the form of powder or puree to your meals can fill that gap.
Vitamin K
You get about 4.5-5 mcg, or 5% of your daily value, in a tablespoon of Cayenne Peppers. Vitamin K is critical for making sure your blood can clot. Simply put, if you get a cut, this vitamin helps stop the bleeding so you can heal. It also works with other vitamins to help keep your bones strong. Without Vitamin K, your body won’t be able to properly use the calcium it needs to build and repair bones.
Folate
With 5.62 µg (microgram) per tablespoon, Cayenne provides about 2% of your daily value. Folate plays a major role in making red blood cells in the body, which is especially important for pregnant women to help their babies develop properly. It also helps control the level of an amino acid called homocysteine in your blood; high levels of homocysteine are linked to heart problems. So, having enough folate can lower your risk of heart issues.
Potassium
Cayenne contains 107 mg of Potassium per tablespoon, which is about 3% of what you need daily. Again, it’s not a lot, but unless you are taking a bunch of vitamin supplements every day, every bit you get from food helps. Potassium in peppers helps balance the amount of salt in your body, which in turn keeps your high blood pressure in check. This is obviously outstanding and something to smile about pertaining to your heart and can help you avoid heart disease – that’s something to smile out.
Potassium also helps your muscles and nerves function in a better way so you can enjoy better movement, quicker reflexes, and less muscle cramping.
Iron
With 0.4 mg of Iron per tablespoon of Cayenne, you get about 2% of your daily recommended intake. A healthy dose of Iron is non-negotiable for everyone, but especially for pregnant women, people with anemia, vegans and vegetarians, and athletes as high levels of physical activity can deplete iron reserves in the body.
Why, though? Because Iron helps your body make red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your muscles and brain. More oxygen means you feel less tired and more alert. Researchers have found that Iron helps improve focus, memory, and the ability to learn. If you want your brain to work at its best, Iron is an important nutrient for that.
Calcium
Cayenne provides 8 mg per tablespoon, i.e., 1% of your daily value. You probably learned in school that Calcium is the building block for your bones and teeth. It keeps them healthy and sturdy so you are less likely to get fractures or osteoporosis as you age. People with health conditions like celiac disease or Crohn’s – who have trouble absorbing Calcium – can benefit greatly by consuming Cayenne Chili Pepper and other Calcium-rich foods (broccoli, brussels sprouts, collards, kale, bell peppers).
Fiber
You get about 5% of your daily dietary fiber (1.4 grams) from one tablespoon of Cayenne Peppers. If you have been suffering from constipation or other digestive issues, consuming more fiber from the Cayenne – which are full of capsaicin – will keep things moving by adding bulk to your stool. It also slows down how quickly sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream. As a result, it stabilizes your blood sugar levels.
Note: 1 tablespoon = 5.3 grams.
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Magic Plant Farms Cayenne Pepper Products: Heat, Flavor, and Nutrients in One Package
Fresh peppers are great – if you know what you are doing and have a lot of time on your hands to wash, chop, and remove the seeds. With Magic Plant Farms’ wide range of ready-to-eat Cayenne powders, purees, flakes and mashes, all you need to do is open the jar and you are good to go. With each product, you know exactly what level of heat you are getting as well. There is no guesswork involved, such as with fresh peppers that almost always vary in spiciness. Plus, our products have a longer shelf life!
All Magic Plant Farms offerings are made from high-quality, handpicked pepper plants, and not much else. You won’t find any weird chemicals or preservatives; it’s all-natural, just without the hassle. Give us a try today!
