Nutritional Facts About Master Cleanse or Lemon Diet - Cayenne Pepper

All About Cayenne Pepper

Your Cayenne Pepper Guide

Nutrient Profile of Cayenne Pepper

An In-Depth Nutrient Analysis of Cayenne Pepper

Brief History of Cayenne

Cayenne (Capsicum frutenscens) is a chili pepper native to Central and South America, and it was named after the capital city of French Guinea, South America. Christopher Columbus introduced these peppers to Europe after finding them in the Caribbean. Cayenne peppers were soon taken to Africa and Asia where they became an essential ingredient in the cuisine. 

Cayenne pepper has been used in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, asthma, digestive ailments, cancers, fevers and sore throats.

The healing properties of cayenne pepper are primarily due to the substance capsicum, which is also responsible for its hot and spicy flavor.

The health benefits of cayenne pepper are known to many and that knowledge is increasing. Western medicine, while a great benefit and blessing to mankind for its emergency care and modern-day anesthesia, is not the panacea to all health issues, though.

And western medicine's lack of accomplishment in the curing of diseases speaks for itself.

This page's purpose is to show you the nutrient profile of cayenne pepper, not to dwell on the problems with modern-day health care.

Cayenne pepper is literally one the greatest health secrets in the world. It is almost unparalled in its remarkable array of health benefits known the world over. But just what's in it?

Below is an in-depth nutrient analysis of cayenne pepper or capsicum.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Amounts per 1 tsp (2g)
of Cayenne Pepper

Calorie Information Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calories 5.6 (23.4 kJ) 0%   From Carbohydrate 2.3 (9.6 kJ)   From Fat 2.5 (10.5 kJ)   From Protein 0.7 (2.9 kJ)   From Alcohol 0.0 (0.0 kJ) Carbohydrates Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Carbohydrate 1.0 g 0% Dietary Fiber 0.5 g 2% Starch ~ Sugars 0.2 g Fats & Fatty Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Fat 0.3 g 0% Saturated Fat 0.1 g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g Total trans fatty acids ~ Total trans-monoenoic fatty acids ~ Total trans-polyenoic fatty acids ~ Total Omega-3 fatty acids 11.5 mg Total Omega-6 fatty acids 135 mg Learn more about these fatty acids and their equivalent names

Protein & Amino Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Protein 0.2 g 0% Vitamins Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Vitamin A 728 IU 15% Vitamin C 1.3 mg 2% Vitamin D ~ ~ Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) 0.5 mg 3% Vitamin K 1.4 mcg 2% Thiamin 0.0 mg 0% Riboflavin 0.0 mg 1% Niacin 0.2 mg 1% Vitamin B6 0.0 mg 2% Folate 1.9 mcg 0% Vitamin B12 0.0 mcg 0% Pantothenic Acid ~ ~ Choline 0.9 mg Betaine ~ Minerals Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calcium 2.6 mg 0% Iron 0.1 mg 1% Magnesium 2.7 mg 1% Phosphorus 5.1 mg 1% Potassium 35.2 mg 1% Sodium 0.5 mg 0% Zinc 0.0 mg 0% Copper 0.0 mg 0% Manganese 0.0 mg 2% Selenium 0.2 mcg 0% Fluoride ~ Sterols Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0% Phytosterols 1.5 mg Other Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Alcohol 0.0 g Water 0.1 g Ash 0.1 g Caffeine 0.0 mg Theobromine 0.0 mg

Footnotes for Spices, pepper, red or cayenne

Source: Nutrient data for this listing was provided by USDA SR-21. Each "~" indicates a missing or incomplete value.

Percent Daily Values (%DV) are for adults or children aged 4 or older, and are based on a 2,000 calorie reference diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower based on your individual needs.

Nutrition Data's Opinion, Completeness Score™, Fullness Factor™, Rating, Estimated Glycemic Load (eGL), and Better Choices Substitutions™ are editorial opinions of NutritionData.com, given without warranty, and are not intended to replace the advice of a nutritionist or health-care professional. Nutrition Data's opinions and ratings are based on weighted averages of the nutrient densities of those nutrients for which the FDA has established Daily Values, and do not consider other nutrients that may be important to your health or take into account your individual needs. Consequently, Nutrition Data's higher-rated foods may not necessarily be healthier for you than lower-rated ones. All foods, regardless of their rating, have the potential to play an important role in your diet.

Just for clarity, here are what the various acronyms mean:

• g - grams
• mg - milligrams
• mcg - micrograms
• %DV - percentage of daily value
• International Unit (IU)

For more information on what those standards mean, I suggest searching online in Google or your search engine of choice and getting more information there. However, here is a question that comes up often.

Question: 1 mcg is how many mg?

Answer: 1000 mcg = 1 mg. Thus 1 mcg = 0.001 mg.

For International Units, let me quote directly from Wikipedia for ultimate clarity.

"An International Unit is a standardized measure of the biological activity (biological effect) of manufactured medicinal drugs and vitamins. For every substance to which this unit is assigned, there is an internationally accepted biological effect expected with a dose of 1 IU. Other quantities of the standard preparation of the substance are expressed in multiples of this dose and may be converted into mass units. For example, 1IU is equivalent to 45.5 microgram (0.0455 milligram) of insulin, 0.6 microgram (0.0006 milligram) of penicillin, 0.3 microgram (0.0003 milligram) of vitamin-A, 50 micrograms (0.050 milligram) of vitamin-C, or 25 nanograms (0.000025 milligram) of vitamin-D."

The important thing to see here is that cayenne is teeming with Vitamin A and Beta Carotene. That said, it is unique combination of nutrients that exist in a delicate balance that form, along with capsacin, an herb that has a rightful claim to being the king of the herbs.

At first glance, the nutrient profile of cayenne pepper seems unremarkable and perhaps it is.

Just what makes it such a unique and powerful herb? The capsacin, the secondary metabolite in cayenne and hot peppers that makes them hot to the taste, is a very powerful nutrient that has been shown in three separate studies to kill prostate, leukemic, pancretic and prostate cancer cells.

The capsacin is not the only ingredient in cayenne that is potent. The "secret sauce" is its total combination (although the capsacin is certainly a key to its therapeutic benefits).

Whether you believe Almighty God or evolution or both created this remarkable medicinal herb or spice, what's important to note here is that the specific combination of nutrients and trace elements and metabolites are what form a particular powerful valence. It is that delicate and unique balance or valence that makes up this remarkable herb or spice.

Genetically speaking, we are very close to the ape family but there is a stark difference needless to say between the two species. In molecular biology, the adding or subtracting of one molecule can dramatically affect something's form and existence.

Cayenne and other herbs are no exception. Cayenne pepper is truly one of the greatest health secrets of the world.

Hot and spicy, cayenne pepper is available year round adding zest to flavorful dishes around the world and health to those brave enough to risk its fiery heat.


The cayenne pepper is a member of the Capsicum family of vegetables, which are more commonly known as chili peppers. It is known botanically as Capsicum annuum. The common name "cayenne" was actually given to this pepper because of its cultivation in a town that bears the same name in French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America.  

This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Cayenne pepper provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Cayenne pepper can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Cayenne pepper, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart.

Health Benefits

Hot and spicy, cayenne pepper adds zest to flavorful dishes around the world and health to those brave enough to risk its fiery heat. The hotness produced by cayenne is caused by its high concentration of a substance called capsaicin. Technically referred to as 8-methyul-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide, capsaicin has been widely studied for its pain-reducing effects, its cardiovascular benefits, and its ability to help prevent ulcers. Capsaicin also effectively opens and drains congested nasal passages.

In addition to their high capsaicin content, cayenne peppers are also an excellent source of vitamin A, through its concentration of pro-vitamin A carotenoids including beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is not only a potent antioxidant in its own right, but can be converted in the body to vitamin A, a nutrient essential for the health of all epithelial tissues (the tissues that line all body cavities including the respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts). Beta-carotene may therefore be helpful in reducing the symptoms of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, its antioxidant activity make it useful in preventing the free radical damage that can lead to atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetic complications, like nerve damage and heart disease.

Arthritis

Cayenne Pepper helps in reducing the pain and inflammation caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis. It will also boost your metabolism which helps in burning fat better.

Pain Relief

Capsaicin from cayenne peppers is used effectively in many areas of pain relief.

Capsaicin extracted from hot peppers and applied to the skin as the active ingredient in a cream or ointment is an effective over-the-counter pain remedy. In addition, in a 1991 study at the University of Florence (Italy), 39 men and women suffering from cluster headaches (a form of migraine) obtained relief by squirting a capsaicin-containing solution into the nostril on the headache side of the face.

It has been shown to be effective in acute pain relief following surgical procedures such as inguinal hernia repair, mastectomy and other cancer surgery

There have been several preliminary studies, and a large double blind study supporting evidence of the effectiveness of capsaicin for pain relief in individuals with post-herpetic neuralgia, the pain following an outbreak of herpes zoster, or shingles.

Results of studies also suggest that topical capsaicin cream is a safe and effective treatment for diabetic neuropathy, the pain that is thought to result from injury to the micro blood vessels supplying nerves.

In one study topically applied capsaicin was equally effective as amitriptyline (antidepressant drug with side effects sometimes prescribed for pain relief) for relief of the pain of diabetic neuropathy.

A preliminary study has suggested that topically applied capsaicin cream may decrease neck pain, but a double blind, placebo controlled trial is needed to substantiate this result.

The capsaicin used to relieve pain is a purified, medical-grade product extracted from peppers. Hot peppers themselves do not relieve pain and should never be applied to skin or mucous membranes.

Cayenne for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Cayenne pepper reduces atherosclerosis by inhibiting platelet aggregation (blood clots), and increasing fibrinolytic activity, which is the ability to prevent blood clots that can be the cause of heart attack, pulmonary embolism and stroke.

Weight Loss

Epidemiological data (data hatgered from population studies) indicates the consumption of capsaicin rich foods such as cayenne and other peppers is associated with a lower prevalence of obesity.

In a human study conducted at the Division of Kinesiology, in Québec, Canada, the addition of red pepper to meals significantly increased diet-induced thermogenesis (heat production) and lipid oxidation (the burning of fat for energy). In a second study, results show that the intake of red pepper decreases appetite.

In recent research there is evidence that capsaicin from cayenne and other chili peppers may inhibit the growth of fat cells by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is found in muscle and other human tissue. AMPK has been found to regulate eating behavior and energy expenditure, and AMPK activation also stimulates hepatic and skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation.

Sore Throats

For sore throats, add a pinch of cayenne powder to 25 ml lemon juice. Dilute With hot water, add honey, and use as a gargle. Do not exceed the stated dose.

Adverse Reactions from Cayenne

In certain individuals Capsicum may affect the lining of the gut; care should be taken with the drug during pregnancy and lactation.

Fight Inflammation

All chili peppers, including cayenne, contain capsaicin, which in addition to giving cayenne its characteristic heat, is a potent inhibitor of substance P, a neuropeptide associated with inflammatory processes. The hotter the chili pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. The hottest varieties include habañero and Scotch bonnet as well as cayenne peppers. Jalapeños are next in their heat and capsaicin content, followed by the milder varieties, including Spanish pimentos, and Anaheim and Hungarian cherry peppers.


Capsaicin is being studied as an effective treatment for sensory nerve fiber disorders, including pain associated with arthritis, psoriasis, and diabetic neuropathy. When animals injected with a substance that causes inflammatory arthritis were fed a diet that contained capsaicin, they had delayed onset of arthritis, and also significantly reduced paw inflammation.

Natural Pain Relief

Topical capsaicin has been shown in studies to be an effective treatment for cluster headaches and osteoarthritis pain. Several review studies of pain management for diabetic neuropathy have listed the benefits of topical capsaicin to alleviate disabling pain associated with this condition.


In a double-blind placebo controlled trial, nearly 200 patients with psoriasis were given topical preparations containing either capsaicin or placebo. Patients who were given capsaicin reported significant improvement based on a severity score which traced symptoms associated with psoriasis. The side effect reported with topical capsaicin cream is a burning sensation at the area of application.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Cayenne and other red chili peppers have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and platelet aggregation, while increasing the body's ability to dissolve fibrin, a substance integral to the formation of blood clots. Cultures where hot peppers like cayenne are used liberally have a much lower rate of heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.

Clear Congestion

Capsaicin not only reduces pain, but its peppery heat also stimulates secretions that help clear mucus from your stuffed up nose or congested lungs. Capsaicin is similar to a compound found in many cold remedies for breaking up congestion, except that capsaicin works much faster. A tea made with hot cayenne pepper very quickly stimulates the mucus membranes lining the nasal passages to drain, helping to relieve congestion and stuffiness. Next cold and flu season, give it a try.

Boost Immunity

Cayenne peppers' bright red color signals its high content of beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A. Just two teaspoons of cayenne pepper provide 29.4% of the daily value for vitamin A. Often called the anti-infection vitamin, vitamin A is essential for healthy epithelial tissues including the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages, lungs, intestinal tract and urinary tract and serve as the body's first line of defense against invading pathogens.

Prevent Stomach Ulcers

Chili peppers like cayenne have a bad--and undeserved--reputation for contributing to stomach ulcers. Not only do they not cause ulcers, these hot peppers may help prevent them by killing bacteria you may have ingested, while powerfully stimulating the cells lining the stomach to secrete protective buffering juices that prevent ulcer formation. The use of cayenne pepper is actually associated with a reduced risk of stomach ulcers.

Lose Weight

All that heat you feel after eating hot chili peppers takes energy--and calories to produce. Even sweet red peppers have been found to contain substances that significantly increase thermogenesis (heat production) and oxygen consumption for more than 20 minutes after they are eaten.

Description

The cayenne pepper is a member of the Capsicum family of vegetables, which are more commonly known as chili peppers. It is known botanically as Capsicum annuum. The common name "cayenne" was actually given to this pepper because of its cultivation in a town that bears the same name in French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America.

History

It is not surprising that cayenne peppers as well as other chili peppers can trace their seven thousand year history to Central and South America, regions whose cuisines are renowned for their hot and spicy flavors. They have been cultivated in these regions for more than seven thousand years, first as a decorative item and later as a foodstuff and medicine.


It was not until the 15th and 16th centuries that cayenne and other chili peppers were introduced to the rest of the world. Christopher Columbus encountered them on his explorations of the Caribbean Islands and brought them back to Europe where they were used as a substitute for black pepper, which was very expensive at that time since it had to be imported from Asia. Ferdinand Magellan is credited with introducing them into Africa and Asia, continents that since have incorporated them not only into their cuisines but their pharmacopeias. While cayenne and chili peppers are now grown on all continents, today China, Turkey, Nigeria, Spain and Mexico are among the largest commercial producers.

How to Select and Store

Even through dried herbs and spices are widely available in supermarkets, explore the local spice stores or ethnic markets in your area. Oftentimes, these stores feature an expansive selection of dried herbs and spices that are of superior quality and freshness than those offered in regular markets. Just like with other dried spices, try to select organically grown dried cayenne pepper since this will give you more assurance that it has not been irradiated.
Cayenne pepper should be kept in a tightly sealed glass jar, away from direct sunlight.

How to Enjoy

For some of our favorite recipes, click Recipes.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas:

Cayenne is sure to heat up any vegetable healthy sauté.
Keep a container of cayenne on the table right next to the pepper mill, so you and your family can add a pinch of extra spice to any of your meals.
Give your hot cocoa a traditional Mexican flair by adding a tiny bit of cayenne pepper.
Canned beans take on a whole new dimension when cayenne is added to them.
Cayenne and lemon juice make great complements to cooked bitter greens such as collards, kale and mustard greens.

Individual Concerns

Cayenne Pepper Belongs to the Nightshade Family

Cayenne pepper comes from chili peppers, one of the vegetables in the nightshade (Solanaceae) family, which also includes eggplant, tomatoes, bell peppers and white potatoes. Anecdotal case histories link improvement in arthritis symptoms with removal of these foods; however, there are no scientific studies to date that confirm this information.

Nutritional Profile

Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and dietary fiber.

In-Depth Nutritional Profile

In addition to the nutrients highlighted in our ratings chart, an in-depth nutritional profile for Cayenne pepper is also available. This profile includes information on a full array of nutrients, including carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more.

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