Cayenne for Metabolism: Does It Work?

Cayenne for Metabolism: Does It Work?

We've all heard of metabolism and how to boost it is always a hot topic. But do we actually understand what it is? In reality, metabolism is a chemical process by which the food and liquids you consume are converted into energy. This allows your body to function properly and you to go about your everyday tasks. When you are at rest, your metabolism assists you with cell repair, blood circulation, and breathing. If you have a slow or low metabolism, it might have an effect on your general health, energy level, and body weight.

For this reason, most people are looking for natural ways to boost metabolism and one thing being used is cayenne. So, does cayenne help with metabolism? Let’s find out. 

What is cayenne?

Cayenne pepper is derived from the fruit of the Capsicum plant and is commonly utilized in cooking. 

Cayenne pepper, which is said to have originated in Central America, contains capsaicin, an alkaloid ingredient that induces neurogenic inflammation and causes sensations of pain and heat. Capsaicin is a chemical that causes your tongue to feel like it is on fire.

Cayenne pepper has a high Scoville heat unit rating. If you are unfamiliar with this scale, it is the degree of heat that each chili is assigned depending on its capsaicin level. For example, bell peppers would receive a score of 0, while jalapenos would receive a score of 2,500, and cayenne would receive a score of 30,000–50,000.

Cayenne for metabolism

Scientists contend that cayenne pepper has always been used due to its medicinal properties. They contend that cayenne’s health and wellness benefits lie mainly in capsaicin, which is the compound in chili peppers that render them hot. But, beyond causing us to sweat more than a hot yoga class, what can cayenne do for us? One of the wellness benefits of cayenne is improved metabolism.

Yes, these peppers are hot, and they enhance the amount of heat produced by your body. This, in turn, causes you to burn extra calories—a process known as diet-induced thermogenesis. Some small investigations have supported this, with subjects' fat oxidation and energy expenditure both improving after eating spicy pepper-infused meals.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you consume cayenne on a regular basis, you can develop a metabolic tolerance to it. The metabolic boost diminishes as you take more cayenne pepper and your body adjusts to the new temperature. 

What does research say about cayenne for metabolism? 

A study from 2003 indicated that eating fresh chili peppers increased metabolism rate for about 30 minutes after consumption (1). Your metabolic rate influences how quickly your body transforms beverages and food into energy. When you have a faster metabolism, your body is highly likely to change nutrients into energy rather than stored fat.

According to a 2010 study, dihydrocapsiate has the ability to boost metabolic rates (2). Chili peppers contain dihydrocapsiate, a capsinoid. It's related to capsaicin. For one month, individuals who took a dihydrocapsiate pill increased their metabolism rate by roughly 50 calories.

Lastly, a large-scale meta-analysis—the most rigorous scientific research initiative—discovered that adding even a modest quantity of the spice to meals made volunteers eat less calories (3). This adds to the cayenne pepper's other metabolism-boosting properties.

Final word

Cayenne pepper is much more than a spice. It's a dependable analgesic and a potent all-natural fat burner.  It can aid in the reduction of cravings and hunger while also increasing energy levels and fat oxidation. But, like anything, there is no “miracle” in boosting metabolism. You can use cayenne, but aware of your diet and activity levels, which make the most impact. 

If you are looking for a performance product with cayenne, we got you! Check out Flow and Flow Pro by Cerus Performance. .

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14649970 
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2954444/ 
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24246368/ 

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