Is Cayenne safe?

Introduction

Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) is widely used for its culinary and medicinal properties. It contains capsaicin, which is known for its pungency and potential health benefits. However, the safety of cayenne pepper, particularly in supplement form, has been a subject of research due to its potent biological effects.

Key Insights

Potential Cardiovascular Risks:
- Cayenne pepper pills containing capsaicin can cause severe cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction and coronary vasospasm, even in healthy individuals without prior risk factors.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties:
- Cayenne pepper has significant antioxidant properties due to its high content of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which contribute to its medicinal benefits .
- It also exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects, which can help in reducing metabolic dysregulation, including lowering triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and C-reactive protein levels, while increasing HDL cholesterol.
Antifungal Activity:
- CAY-1, a saponin derived from cayenne pepper, shows potent antifungal activity against various fungal strains, including Candida spp. and Aspergillus fumigatus, without significant cytotoxicity to mammalian cells.
Nutritional and Physiochemical Properties:
- Cayenne pepper is rich in essential oils and has favorable physiochemical properties, including low free fatty acid and peroxide values, which support its use as a health-promoting condiment.
- The pepper's high content of capsaicinoids and phenolic compounds is associated with its strong antioxidant activity and stability, making it beneficial for long-term use.

Conclusion

Cayenne pepper, particularly in its natural form, offers several health benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. However, caution is advised when using cayenne pepper supplements, as they can pose significant cardiovascular risks. The overall safety of cayenne pepper largely depends on its form and dosage.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Acute myocardial infarction and coronary vasospasm associated with the ingestion of cayenne pepper pills in a 25-year-old male

Cayenne pepper pills, containing capsaicin, can cause acute coronary vasospasm and a myocardial infarction in healthy individuals, highlighting the potential danger of capsaicin.

‘USAJI 5’ Cayenne Pepper

'USAJI 5' cayenne pepper is a unique cultivar with a unique flavor and resistance to tobacco etch and potato Y viruses, making it a valuable addition to gardeners' cayenne pepper collection.

EVALUATION OF SAPONIFICATION VALUE, IODINE VALUE, PEROXIDE VALUE AND FREE FATTY ACID LEVEL OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF CAYENNE PEPPER (Capsicum annuum)

Cayenne pepper essential oil has high flavonoid, phenol, and peroxide contents, with potential health benefits when used as a major condiment in food preparation.

CAY-1, a novel antifungal compound from cayenne pepper.

CAY-1, a novel saponin from cayenne pepper, shows strong antifungal activity against 16 different fungal strains without significant cytotoxicity to mammalian cells.

Effects of cayenne pepper on metabolic dysregulation

Dietary cayenne pepper consumption can reduce metabolic risk factors and improve lipid profile, but does not significantly decrease serum glucose.

Evaluation of the quality and shelf-life of cayenne (Capsicum spp.)

High content of capsaicinoids and phenolic compounds in cayenne is associated with good color stability, pungency, and high antioxidant activity, ensuring desirable technological qualities and longest shelf-life.

‘Carolina Cayenne’ Pepper

'Carolina Cayenne' pepper has a high resistance to southern root knot, reducing the impact of the nematode Meloidogyne incognita on pepper yield.

Cayenne pepper in a meal: Effect of oral heat on feelings of appetite, sensory specific desires and well-being

Cayenne pepper in a meal increases satiation and satisfaction, while decreasing desire for salty and spicy foods and increasing desire for sweet and fatty foods, potentially influencing eating behavior.

Cayenne aspiration: an unusual type of lower airway foreign-body aspiration

Flexible bronchoscopy is a safe and effective method for early diagnosis and effective management of cayenne aspiration in the lower airway.

Physicochemical Properties and Microbial Inhibition on Biofilms Cassava Starch with Green Cayenne Pepper Leaf Extract (Capsicum Frutescens L)

The addition of green cayenne leaf extract significantly improves the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial properties of cassava starch biofilms, making them a promising alternative packaging material for food products.

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