The Fat Burning Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is claimed to be very powerful natural ingredient for weight loss. It stimulates metabolic rate, suppresses your appetite, and helps to melt fat. In this post we will try to explain the science (real mechanism of action) behind cayenne pepper’s weight loss property, how to consume it, other health benefits, and much more.
However, do take all this “fat-burning” talk with a grain of salt. It sure would be nice to be able to simply pop a pill and lose weight. It’s difficult to pinpoint if any food is fat-burning as there could be many other variables. For example, you may be exercising more, generally eating more healthily, sleeping enough and so on. Using these supplements alone is not enough. Diet and exercise are mandatory if you want to burn fat faster and get a tight body.
What is it?
Capsaicin is the most active compound found in cayenne. It is cayenne’s “heat” that we sense in the taste and also by touch. In other words, capsaicin is the compound that produces the “hot” in hot peppers. That is why Asian and Mexican chefs wear rubber gloves when handling certain superhot chili peppers.
Cayenne peppers have been used for centuries to relieve many ailments, including digestive problems and pain. Its heat is what makes cayenne a pain reliever to the body, and it is an ingredient in numerous over-the-counter products and ointments.
What does it do and how does it work?
Cayenne has unique metabolic and thermogenic properties based on its capsaicin (the active ingredient) content. Cayenne pepper has been noted for hundreds of years to increase perspiration and influence body temperature. Its effects on thermogenesis are mainly attributed to capsaicin’s activation of the sympathetic nervous system (stimulation of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine). This results in enhanced energy metabolism, more calories being used, and a feeling of warmth.
What does the science say about it?
According to research, cayenne pepper can help decrease appetite and lowers food intake. Newer research from Australia suggests that it can help stabilize insulin levels after a meal. This may mean less fat storage and better energy levels.
You might be amazed to learn that, when placed under the tongue as a tincture or powder, cayenne can even stop a heart attack. It will halt internal bleeding, and it can even be applied directly as first aid to external areas of the body that are bleeding.
Like lemon, cayenne breaks up and loosens mucus in the body. This benefits the sinuses, the bronchial tubes and lungs, and it allows clearer and easier breathing. Cayenne is high in both vitamins A and C, and contains some B vitamins as well. It also contains potassium and calcium, both of which make it highly alkalizing to the body.
Where to purchase cayenne pepper?
You can purchase cayenne in most supermarkets, usually in the spice section, as well as at organic food stores and health food stores. Purchase cayenne pepper that is deep red or orange. Cayenne fades in color with age and should be stored in a cool, dark place.
How hot is cayenne?
Capsaicin is an irritant that produces a burning sensation when in contact with mucus membranes such as those in the mouth. The hotter the pepper, the higher its capsaicin content. The hotness of chilli peppers is measured according to the Scoville Scale, in which a sweet bell pepper has a Scoville rating of zero (no capsaicin) while the honest chilli, Carolina Reaper, has a rating of 1,400,000 plus. This means its juice must be diluted more than 1,400,000 times before its capsaicin becomes undetectable.
Dosage
When looking for a cayenne pepper product, make sure it contains a standardized amount of capsaicin. A good dose is 30 mg three times daily. (Just sprinkle cayenne pepper on each of your food meals to really fire things up.)
Closing thoughts
Cayenne pepper lowers blood cholesterol and prevents the rise in cholesterol levels that usually follows the ingestion of foods high in cholesterol. Used as a stimulant, cayenne has been recommended in weight-loss programs with a thermogenic tilt. It stimulates the production of ATP (fuel), thus increasing thermogenesis and stimulating the cells so more calories are burned. It also increases glucose metabolism, lowers blood serum triglyceride concentration, and stimulates the release of adrenaline from the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nervous system. Capsaicin, the pungent element in cayenne, elevates the mitochondria’s ability to efficiently use oxygen, and raises the metabolic resting rate.
