6 Spicy Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper

It's best known for its bite, but the benefits of cayenne pepper may include relieving arthritis, aiding digestion, and more.

Cayenne pepper has some impressive benefits

People with a taste for spicy foods can appreciate the heat of cayenne pepper, but the health benefits of the spice are just as noteworthy as the taste. Various antioxidants along with capsaicin, the substance that gives cayenne its fiery flavor, make this spice extra healthy. Here are some of the possible benefits of cayenne pepper. (You can also read more about other herbs and spices that are beneficial for your health.)

joint pain
9nong / Shutterstock

Relieve achy joints and muscles

Cayenne pepper may be aย natural painkiller for achy joints and muscles. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter treatments for arthritis and muscle pain. A 2014 review in the journalย Progressive Drug Research found that the spicy stuff does dial downย joint pain from osteoarthritisย when applied topically to the skin. And according to the Arthritis Foundation, capsaicin creams alsoย relieve pain from an autoimmune type of arthritisโ€”rheumatoid arthritisโ€”as well as the widespread pain condition fibromyalgia.ย  Over time, these creams may reduce pain by over-activating nerve receptors, which affects their function and spares your pain. Try using one of these creams three times a day, but just be sure to wash your hands after handling them and keep them away from your eyes. (Learn more about taking supplements for joint pain.)

Pepper, Cayenne pepper in a glass.
RATT_ANARACH/Shutterstock

May reduce hunger

Fiery foods may actually dial down your appetite. A small 2014 study published in the journalย Appetite found that when subjects ate spicy red pepper with a meal, they reported feeling fuller and had fewer food cravings afterward. Earlier research has suggestedย that chili peppers are naturalย metabolism boosters.

ground paprika background texture surface top view
Madlen/Shutterstock

Unclog a stuffy nose

Capsaicin is a powerful fix forย clogged up noses and sinuses. “It thins your mucous to allow for better drainage,” says Tania Elliott, MD, a clinical instructor in medicine at NYU Langone in New York. That can help whether you have a cold or allergies. Sprinkle it on food (it pairs surprisingly well with chicken noodle soup) and grab some tissues.

Red chili pepper on slate plate.The view from the top.
Yulia 1971/Shutterstock

Boost circulation

Capsaicin may improve circulation and vascular health, according to a 2015 paper published in Open Heart. The authors cite previous research on capsaicin showing it helps with atherosclerosis, blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and angina. So you can add chili peppers to your list of foods that play a role in improving circulation and possibly helping you to stay healthy longterm.

Cayenne pepper on a wooden spoon with bowl of whole peppers
Thanatip S./Shutterstock

A source of vitamin A

Cayenne pepper isn’t just tastyโ€”it’s nutritious too. A dash contains many nutrients, including a bit ofย vitamin A, according to the USDA. What does vitamin A do? Foods with vitamin A protect your vision, preserve your brain function, and keep your skin healthy. This vitamin is anย antioxidant that works to reduce inflammationย by fighting free radicals. The recommended daily value for vitamin Aย is 5000 IU, according to the National Institutes of Health. One teaspoon of cayenne pepper nets you 749 IU.

Raw red pepper in a frying pan
Alrandir/Shutterstock

Helps digestion

Research from 2016 in theย Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine also suggests that the spice may increase digestive fluid production and deliver enzymes to the stomach, which may help digestion.ย More research is needed, but it suggests that these spicy wonders could play a role in greatย gut health.

Sources
Medically reviewed by Michael Spertus, MD, on February 10, 2020