An article by the Oregon State University stated that some of the most important nutrients for skin health include Vitamin A, C, D and E, minerals like zinc and selenium, essential fatty acids, as well as flavonoids Collagen is a protein that serves as one of the main building blocks for your bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

It plays a huge role in the strengthening, elasticity and hydration of your skin which helps with the smoothing and youthful look of skin. Read More: The Top 3 Versatile Delicious Stuffed Pepper With Egg Recipes. If you were to look up benefits of cayenne pepper and lemon you are very likely to see multiple articles and videos promising unbelievable detoxifying and weight loss results from simply starting your day with a glass of water and cayenne.

This is as unrealistic as it sounds. While lemon and cayenne do have incredible health benefits, they will not lead to miraculous weight loss just because you start your day with them. The only realistic lemon and cayenne pepper powder benefits you are likely to see include. The potential cayenne pepper benefits for skin are listed above, but how does this spice help with your hair?

Cayenne pepper benefits for skin, hair and overall health show that this simple spice does more for our bodies than simply adding some heat and kick to meals. If you have been skipping it, we suggest you start adding it to more of your meals. If you do not have a good tolerance to spice and spicy foods in general, start with a pinch and work your way up from there.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

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SOURCES: Administration of capsaicin and isoflavone promotes hair growth by increasing insulin-like growth factor-I production in mice and in humans with alopecia , pubmed.

gov A Hot New Twist to Hair Biology , ncbi. gov Antimicrobial and Anti-Virulence Activity of Capsaicin Against Erythromycin-Resistant, Cell-Invasive Group A Streptococci , ncbi.

gov Capsaicin for Rhinitis , ncbi. gov Capsaicinoids supplementation decreases percent body fat and fat mass: adjustment using covariates in a post hoc analysis , ncbi. gov Cayenne , encyclopedia. com cayenne pepper n. com Chili Pepper Consumption and Mortality in Italian Adults , pubmed.

gov Collagen , hsph. edu Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging , ncbi. gov Do the Obese Have Lower Body Temperatures? A New Look at a Forgotten Variable in Energy Balance , ncbi.

gov Double-blinded randomized prospective trial of intranasal capsaicin treatment for nonallergic rhinitis , pubmed. gov Effects of dietary antioxidants on the immune function of middle-aged adults , pubmed.

gov Meta-analysis evaluating the impact of chili-pepper intake on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: A systematic review , pubmed. This increases surface blood flow when applied to the skin.

Cayenne pepper may help the circulatory system. It may help control blood flow, and ease symptoms of Raynaud disease helping blood flow. It may also strengthen the heart, arteries, capillaries, and nerves. It may act as a tonic. This may help your digestive system work better. It may also stop bleeding from ulcers and help flatulent dyspepsia.

It's also claimed to aid in weight loss. In the respiratory system, cayenne may help break up congestion due to bronchitis. Cayenne may also help to prevent infections. These include colds and chills, sinus infections, and sore throats.

As a gargle, cayenne can be used for laryngitis. It works well with myrrh. When you apply it externally, it may help with toothache, lumbago, arthritis, and rheumatism. Cayenne is available in many forms.

It comes as an ointment, oil or entire plant, in dried fruits, and crushed or powdered. It should be harvested when fully ripe, removed from the calyx, and then dried in the shade. For external use, follow the instructions on the package as dosage and frequency may vary based on age and reason for use.

Scientific evidence does not support all of the uses above. However, some researchers have found that compounds in cayenne pepper may help in the following ways.

The antioxidants in cayenne pepper include:. Cryptoxanthin is also a type of pigment called a carotenoid, and it gives the pepper its red color. Antioxidants offer a wide range of health benefits by helping the body remove free radicals — toxic substances that can cause harm if too many build up.

Which foods are good sources of antioxidants? Authors of a review found that capsaicin may relieve symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, postnasal drip, and congestion when allergies or smoking are not the cause.

The improvement started as soon as 10 minutes after using the spray. Meanwhile, a study suggested that cayenne pepper may have antibacterial properties.

In laboratory tests, scientists found that it combatted group A Streptococci , the type of bacteria responsible for strep throat and other diseases. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to suggest that these home remedies are effective.

What are some other natural cold remedies? One review published in looked at the potential for capsaicin in a cream to reduce pain.

The authors concluded that there may be benefits to long-term use. Capsaicin may help alleviate pain by reducing the amount of substance P — a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain.

Creams or ointments containing 0. Participants benefitted from applying the cream three times daily to the sites of their pain.

However, some people who try this treatment experience an unpleasant burning sensation as a side effect. Other research has suggested that taking oral capsaicin supplements may help relieve pain and discomfort in athletes. However, scientists are still investigating how this might work and what dosage might be effective.

It is important to note that the findings above refer to medicinal rather than dietary uses of capsaicin. How can the diet impact osteoarthritis knee pain? Capsaicin appears to have antibacterial properties that help protect the body from Streptococcus pyogenes , or group A Streptococcus.

These bacteria can cause skin and soft tissue infections, such as impetigo and cellulitis. Authors of a review concluded that capsaicin patches may reduce itching caused by various skin conditions, including psoriasis , as well as itching resulting from dialysis, a process of purifying the blood in people with kidney damage.

Here, learn about foods that can boost skin health. Many products that contain cayenne pepper claim to boost metabolism and promote weight loss, but not all the evidence has been conclusive. One study found that consuming 1 gram g of cayenne pepper in a meal increased core body temperature slightly.

This, in turn, would burn additional calories. In some cases, participants also had less desire to eat fatty, sweet, or salty foods after consuming capsaicin. In , scientists gave healthy volunteers a placebo , a 2-milligram mg dosage, or a 4-mg dosage of capsaicin for 12 weeks.

However, many other studies have looked at cayenne or capsaicin combined with other ingredients, so it is not possible to identify the exact role of the pepper compound.

If further research indicates that cayenne or capsaicin helps the body burn calories, the pepper could become a healthful part of a weight management plan.

Which drinks are good for losing weight? Learn more here.

Ahuja KD, Robertson IK, Geraghty DP, Ball MJ. Effects of chilli consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and energy metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr. Ahuja KD, Ball MJ. Effects of daily ingestion of chilli on serum lipoprotein oxidation in adult men and women.

Br J Nutr. The effect of 4-week chilli supplementation on metabolic and arterial function in humans. Eur J Clin Nutr. Allison DB, Fontaine KR, Heshka S, Mentore JL, Heymsfield SB.

Alternative treatments for weight loss: a critical review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. Attal N. Chronic neuropathic pain: mechanisms and treatment [Review]. Clin J Pain. Bouraoui A, Toumi A, Mustapha HB, et al. Effects of capsicum fruit on theophylline absorption and bioavailability in rabbits.

Drug-Nutrient Interact. Chrubasik S, Weiser T, Beime B. Effectiveness and safety of topical capsaicin cream in the treatment of chronic soft tissue pain. Phytother Res. D'Alonzo AJ, Grover GJ, Darbenzio RB, et al. In vitro effects of capsaicin: antiarrhythmic and antiischemic activity.

Eur J Pharmacol. Deal CL, Schnitzer TJ, Lipstein E, et al. Treatment of arthritis with topical capsaicin: a double-blind trial. Clin Ther. Ellison N, Loprinzi CL, Kugler J, et al. Phase III placebo-controlled trial of capsaicin cream in the management of surgical neuropathic pain in cancer patients.

J Clin Oncol. Friese KH. Acute otitis media in children: a comparison of conventional and homeopathic treatment. Biomedical Therapy. Fusco BM, Marabini S, Maggi CA, Fiore G, Geppetti P. Preventative effect of repeated nasal applications of capsaicin in cluster headache. Gagnier JJ, van Tulder M, Berman B, Bombardier C.

Herbal medicine for low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Hakas JF Jr. Topical capsaicin induces cough in patient receiving ACE inhibitor. Ann Allergy. Hautkappe M, Roizen MF, Toledano A, Roth S, Jeffries JA, Ostermeier AM. Review of the effectiveness of capsaicin for painful cutaneous disorders and neural dysfunction.

Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm. Jensen PG, Larson JR. Management of painful diabetic neuropathy [Review]. Drugs Aging. Jin J, Lin G, Huang H, et al.

Capsaicin mediates cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells via stabilizing and activating p Int J Biol Sci. Kang JH, Goto T, Han IS, Kawada T, Kim YM, Yu R.

Dietary capsaicin reduces obesity-induced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Obesity Silver Spring. Kenney JK, Jamjian C, Wheeler MM. Prevention and management of pain associated with Herpes zoster.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Care in Pain and Symptom Control. Mozsik G. Capsaicin as new orally applicable gastroprotective and therapeutic drug alone or in combination with nosteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in healthy human subjects and in patients.

Prog Drug Res. Nicholas JJ. Physical modalities in rheumatological rehabilitation. Archives of Physical and Medical Rehabilitation. Paice JA, Ferrens CE, Lashley FR, Shott S, Vizgirda V, Pitrak D. Topical capsaicin in the management of HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy.

J Pain Symtom Manage. Petersen KL, Fields HL, Brennum J, Sandroni P, Rowbotham MC. Capsaicin evoked pain and allodynia in post-herpetic neuralgia. Rains C, Bryson HM. Topical Capsaicin.

A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential in post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and osteoarthritis. Drugs and Aging. Reinbach HC, Smeets A, Martinussen T, Møller P, Westerterp-Plantenga MS.

Effects of capsaicin, green tea and CH sweet pepper on appetite and energy intake in humans in negative and positive energy balance. Clin Nutr. Robbins W.

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Using cayenne pepper for toothache is an old-fashioned remedy, but one that works. The pepper acts as a counter-irritant and decreases the deeper tooth pain. It also increases local blood flow.

Though we have limited research on this, some reports promote cayenne pepper for its skin and hair benefits. The capsaicin in the pepper can soothe skin redness its anti-inflammatory properties and also treats acne-induced skin discoloration, thus promoting skin health. Mix one spoon of the pepper with some cocoa powder and half a ripe avocado till you get a paste.

Apply it to your face and rinse after 15 minutes. The vitamin in cayenne pepper can improve hair health too. Mix some of the pepper with honey and apply to your scalp.

Cover your hair with a cellophane cover. Wash after 30 minutes. You can also add three eggs and olive oil to this mixture and follow the same procedure for stronger hair. This remedy can also add volume and shine to your hair. You need to select totally ripe cayenne peppers with a bright and even color.

The ripe peppers are usually green or red. There is no specific recommended daily intake of cayenne pepper. Some people may be more sensitive to the spicy taste of cayenne pepper than others, so it is important to start with small amounts and gradually increase the amount as tolerated.

You can buy cayenne pepper from your nearest supermarket store or online. You may also go for cayenne pepper pills after checking with your doctor. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper can cause irritation in certain people This can include skin irritation, irritation of the eyes, stomach, throat, and nose.

Taking excess of cayenne pepper orally can lead to kidney or liver damage. However, limited data is available in this regard. Using cayenne pepper on the skin is safe. But taking it orally can be harmful.

Avoid use. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper might increase bleeding during and after surgery. Also, cayenne pepper is not recommended to be consumed by those on blood thinners or with bleeding disorders. Hence, avoid using it at least two weeks before your scheduled surgery.

In addition, some believe that cayenne pepper may cause heartburn and an upset stomach. Although you may be wary of cayenne pepper because of its hot nature, its different health benefits may help you to put your concerns to rest for good.

This pepper is packed with capsaicin that offers a range of advantages to your body, and especially to your gut. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of cayenne pepper for your body. Save Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper is responsible for the health benefits that comes with it.

Apart from being known for its pain-relieving properties, it is used in cooking as it may also boost metabolism, improve digestion, lower blood pressure, reduce cancer risk, and enhance skin and hair health.

However, cayenne pepper may also cause irritation in some, and lead to kidney or liver damage if consumed in excess.

An increased risk of bleeding during and after surgery is another adverse effect to be wary about. Hence, include it in moderation to reap its benefits safely. It is generally safe to consume cayenne pepper at any time of day, including at night.

You can put a little bit in case the skin around your eyes has inflamed as cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties , but your eyes would burn very badly. If cayenne pepper feels too spicy, you can go with capsicum. It also contains capsaicin. I have started taking cayenne pepper for blood pressure, but it has actually increased.

Why does this happen? That is a common experience. And this is what Dr. When the venous structure becomes loaded with sticky mucus, the blood has a harder time circulating; therefore, higher pressure forces the liquid through.

Cayenne regulates the flow of blood from the head to the feet so that it is equalized; it influences the heart immediately, then gradually extends its effects to the arteries, capillaries, and nerves.

The capsaicin and potassium in cayenne pepper may maintain electrolyte balance and potentially help reduce kidney stone risk. Also, as per animal studies, cayenne pepper might benefit those with chronic kidney disease by functioning as a diuretic However, more human studies are needed in this regard.

Yes, capsaicin has hepatoprotective properties that reduce the risk of liver inflammation. Animal studies show that it may also help reduce the risk of alcohol-induced liver injury Cayenne pepper improves circulation by promoting cholesterol export and reducing plaque buildup in the arteries StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content.

Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article. Image: Shutterstock. Know Your Ingredient: Cayenne Pepper. What Is It? It is a moderately spicy, long red chili pepper rated between to scoville units. In This Article. Related: 14 Home Remedies For Body Pain And Prevention Tips.

Quick Tip. Since cayenne does not dissolve in water easily, you can use vinegar to get it off the skin. Infographic: Top 4 Reasons To Have Cayenne Pepper Although you may be wary of cayenne pepper because of its hot nature, its different health benefits may help you to put your concerns to rest for good.

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now. Download Infographic. Key Takeaways Capsaicin in cayenne pepper can help boost metabolism as it helps burn fat and calories by producing extra heat in the body. This pepper may help stimulate the sinuses and offer relief during sinus congestion.

Cayenne pepper can be added to spice mixtures and marinades to enrich the flavor. Always use it in moderate amounts as excess cayenne pepper can lead to severe liver damage.

Personal Experience: Source StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Purdue University, USA. US National Library of Medicine. CFTRI, Mysore, India. Chicago Tribune. University of Maryland Medical Center. University of California, USA. Marshall University, Huntington, USA. Explore, Integrative Medicine. Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

University of Rochester Medical Center. Arthritis Foundation. Bastyr University. Effects of Chronic Administration of Capsaicin on Biomarkers of Kidney Injury in Male Wistar Rats with Experimental Diabetes, US National Library of Medicine. Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below. Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact-checker. Merlin Annie Raj Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Merlin Annie Raj is a Registered Dietitian based out of Hyderabad, India. She has 14 years of experience in Clinical Nutrition as well as teaching Nutrition and Dietetics to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Merlin has conducted various weight management programs, prepared Pallini Winnifred, RDN, serves over clients in the NYC area. She has a bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science from Stony Brook University and two years of experience in nutrition counseling.

Ravi Teja Tadimalla Senior Editor. Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He has written over articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health.

Arshiya Syeda Senior Editor. Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing.

She aims to use her knowledge of Related Articles. Habanero Peppers: Health Benefits And Possible Side Effects Understand how this flavorful pepper can enhance your dishes and your physical health. Cayenne Pepper For Hair: Benefits, How To Use It And Side Effects Understand how this flavorful pepper can enhance your dishes and your physical health.

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