What Is Capsicum? Other Names: African Bird Pepper, Capsaicin, Cayenne

What is Capsicum?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Capsicum, commonly known as peppers, is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae. This genus is native to the Americas and is widely cultivated for its edible fruits, which are used as vegetables, spices, and medicines. The most well-known species within this genus include Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens, and Capsicum chinense, each with unique characteristics and uses. Other names include: African Bird Pepper, African Chillies, African Pepper, Aji, Bird Pepper, Capsaicin, Capsaïcine, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum Fruit, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum minimum, Capsicum Oleoresin, Capsicum pubescens, Cayenne, Cayenne Fruit, Cayenne Pepper, Chili, Chili Pepper, Chilli, Chillies, Cis-capsaicin, Civamide, Garden Pepper, Goat’s Pod, Grains of Paradise, Green Chili Pepper, Green Pepper, Hot Pepper, Hungarian Pepper, Ici Fructus, Katuvira, Lal Mirchi, Louisiana Long Pepper, Louisiana Sport Pepper, Mexican Chilies, Mirchi, Oleoresin capsicum, Paprika, Paprika de Hongrie, Pili-pili, Piment de Cayenne, Piment Enragé, Piment Fort, Piment-oiseau, Pimento, Poivre de Cayenne, Poivre de Zanzibar, Poivre Rouge, Red Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Tabasco Pepper, Trans-capsaicin, Zanzibar Pepper, Zucapsaicin, Zucapsaïcine.

Genetic Diversity and Breeding

Capsicum species exhibit significant genetic variability, which is crucial for breeding programs aimed at improving various traits such as yield, disease resistance, and fruit quality. Studies have shown that non-additive genetic effects, including epistasis and dominant gene action, play a significant role in the expression of heterosis in Capsicum chinense hybrids1. Additionally, genetic diversity among Capsicum and Solanum genotypes has been assessed using morphoagronomic descriptors, revealing substantial variability that can be harnessed for breeding purposes4.

Nutritional and Medicinal Properties

Capsicum fruits are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and capsaicinoids, the latter being responsible for their pungency. Capsaicinoids, particularly capsaicin, have been studied for their pharmacological effects, including their potential to lower plasma glucose levels and maintain insulin levels, which may have implications for managing type 2 diabetes3. Furthermore, Capsicum annuum has demonstrated hepatoprotective effects against ethanol-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in liver tissues, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent2.

Health Benefits of Capsicum

Capsicum species have been shown to offer various health benefits. For instance, dietary supplementation with Capsicum oleoresin in dairy cows has been found to improve metabolic status and milk production without affecting feed intake or nutrient digestibility6 9. Additionally, Capsicum extracts have exhibited analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in rodent models, supporting their traditional use in pain and inflammation management5.

Weight Management

Capsaicinoids from Capsicum have gained attention for their role in weight management. A novel food-grade formulation of red chili extract has been shown to significantly reduce body weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI) in overweight subjects, along with improving eating behavior and appetite7. This suggests that Capsicum extracts could be a valuable natural supplement for obesity management.

Neurobehavioral Effects

The consumption of Capsicum and capsaicin has also been linked to neurobehavioral changes. Studies on mice have indicated that Capsicum diets can decrease pain perception, increase anxiety, and impair learning and memory, while enhancing social behavior and motor coordination8. These findings suggest that Capsicum’s active compounds may influence neuronal functions and behavior.

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Adverse Effects of Capsicum

Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Consumption of Capsicum can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including burning sensations and digestive issues1 2.

Local Skin Reactions

Topical application of Capsicum can lead to local skin reactions such as redness, irritation, and burning sensations3.

Neurobehavioral Effects

Capsicum consumption has been associated with increased anxiety, impaired learning and memory, and altered pain perception in animal studies4.

No Significant Systemic Adverse Effects

Several studies have found no significant systemic adverse effects, such as changes in blood chemistry, liver function, or kidney function, when Capsicum is consumed in controlled doses1 2 6 7 8.

Potential for Increased Anxiety and Impaired Cognitive Function

Capsicum consumption may increase anxiety and impair cognitive functions such as learning and memory4.

No Serious Adverse Events in Short-Term Use

Short-term use of Capsicum in various forms (e.g., beadlet form, sustained-release formulation) has not been associated with serious adverse events1 2.

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How has Capsicum Improved Patient Outcomes?

Reduction in Chronic Pain

Capsicum plasters significantly reduced pain in patients with chronic low back pain and chronic soft tissue pain, showing greater efficacy compared to placebo treatments1 2 3.

Topical capsaicin was effective in reducing pain in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, with improvements in pain intensity and overall pain relief6.

Postoperative Pain Management

Capsicum plasters applied at specific acupuncture points reduced postoperative pain and the need for analgesics in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery and knee replacement surgery4 5.

The use of capsicum plasters at acupuncture points also decreased the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, enhancing patient satisfaction4 5 7 10.

Menopausal Symptom Relief

A homeopathic remedy made from Capsicum frutescens (Malagueta) was found to be effective in reducing the intensity of hot flashes in menopausal women, outperforming placebo treatments8.

Postoperative Sore Throat Prevention

Capsicum plasters applied at Korean hand acupuncture points significantly reduced the prevalence and severity of postoperative sore throat in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy9.

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Capsicum Mechanisms of Action

Enhancement of Nutrient Digestibility and Growth Performance

Capsaicin improves nutrient digestibility and growth performance in broiler chickens by enhancing digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant response1 6.

In dairy cows, capsicum oleoresin supplementation increased energy-corrected milk yield and improved immune responses without affecting feed intake or nutrient digestibility5.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Capsicum exhibits significant antioxidant properties, reducing oxidative stress markers and inflammation in various animal models1 4 6.

Capsicum extract has been shown to alleviate ethanol-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver tissue, suggesting a hepatoprotective effect4.

Glucose and Insulin Regulation

Capsaicin in capsicum can lower plasma glucose levels and maintain insulin levels, indicating potential benefits for managing type 2 diabetes2.

Gastrointestinal Effects

Capsicum increases gastric acid secretion initially but shows a decline due to tachyphylaxis, indicating a complex interaction with gastric functions3.

Capsicum enhances gut health by improving volatile fatty acid composition and microbiota community in weaned pigs6.

Pain Management

Topical application of capsaicin induces the release and subsequent depletion of substance P, leading to desensitization to pain and increased pain threshold, making it effective for treating chronic pain conditions like non-specific low back pain8.

Capsicum extracts from different varieties of bell pepper exhibit analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, potentially mediated through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis7.

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Common Complaints Associated with Capsicum Use

Metabolic Effects and Insulin Response

Capsicum oleoresin can alter insulin responses and glucose metabolism, which are critical during early lactation in dairy cows1.

Supplementation with rumen-protected capsicum increased serum insulin and decreased β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations precalving, indicating a decrease in lipolysis1.

Subclinical Ketosis

All cows developed subclinical ketosis during the ketosis challenge, and this was not affected by the treatment with capsicum1.

Supplementation with rumen-protected capsicum did not decrease susceptibility to subclinical ketosis1.

Lactational Performance

There was a trend for increased milk production and feed efficiency following the ketosis challenge with capsicum supplementation1.

The combination of capsicum with artificial sweetener appeared to negate the positive response to rumen-protected capsicum1.

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The content presented in this blog is generated by Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine, and is based on publicly available scientific literature. While every effort is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched information, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medical conditions, treatments, or medications. The AI system’s analysis may not cover all perspectives, emerging research, or individual cases, and it is not a substitute for professional expertise. Neither the blog publisher nor the developers of the AI-powered search engine are responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this content. Use of this information is at your own risk. Citations to the original scientific studies are included for reference, but these studies should be reviewed in full and interpreted with the guidance of a healthcare or research professional.

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