If you’re thinking about spicing up your next meal with hot peppers, you could be in for more than just some extra flavor on the Scoville scale.
Sure, a little cayenne pepper tastes great, but it’s also good for you. In fact, there are 10 healthy reasons why you may want to consider putting cayenne pepper in your diet.
1. Vitamins & minerals
To begin with, cayenne pepper is a good way to get more vitamins and minerals that your body needs. The pepper primarily contains vitamin A, but it also has potassium, manganese and riboflavin.
2. Appetite control
Not only is it nutritious, but the pepper can aid in appetite control. When you eat a cayenne pepper, you feel fuller longer.
3. Weight loss
When you’re able to keep your portions under control, you may start losing weight. Cayenne pepper works as a metabolism booster too, which is known to help burn excess fat.
4. Metabolism booster
Speaking of your metabolism, spicy food can actually increase your body’s temperature. That helps your body burn more calories.
5. Digestion
That’s just part of it. Spicy food, like the cayenne pepper, also helps aid in digestion. When you eat one, it triggers saliva production and stimulates enzyme production, which helps metabolize food.
6. Blood pressure
Studies have also shown promise with lowering your blood pressure. Capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers so hot, is said to help relax your blood vessels.
7. Pain relief
Topical capsaicin ointments and cremes are sometimes used to help with pain. When used successfully, they can give at least some temporary relief.
8. Inflammatory relief
Along the same lines, capsaicin is sometimes used to treat inflammatory diseases. This includes things like shingles.
9. Detox
If you’re looking for a natural detox, cayenne peppers can help cleanse the body. It’s said that cayenne helps remove bacteria and toxins, plus it reportedly helps stimulate circulation.
10. Cancer protection?
Researchers are also looking at whether capsaicin can help protect against cancer cell growth.
