What Are Cayenne Peppers? Cayenne peppers are a type of chili pepper. They belong to the nightshade family of flowering plants and are closely related tobell peppersand jalapeos. They were originally grown in Central and South America, but brought to Europe in the 15th century by Christopher Columbus. Cayenne peppers are a popular spice used in many different regional styles of cooking, and they have been used medicinally for thousands of years. These peppers boast an impressive nutrition profile, which includes a variety of antioxidants that are beneficial for your health. One tablespoon (5 grams) of cayenne pepper contains the following Calories:17 Fat:1 gram Carbs:3 grams Fiber:1.4 grams Protein:0.6 grams Vitamin A:44% of the RDI Vitamin E:8% of the RDI Vitamin C:7% of the RDI Vitamin B6:6% of the RDI Vitamin K:5% of the RDI Manganese:5% of the RDI Potassium:3% of the RDI Riboflavin:3% of the RDI Health Benefits

 1. Helps Digestion One of the major cayenne pepper benefits is the positive effect it has on the digestive system. Cayenne pepper helps produce saliva, which is important for excellent digestion as well as preventing bad breath.Research suggeststhat consumingcayenne pepper stimulates our salivary glands, which is needed to begin the digestive process. Cayenne pepper also stimulates the flow of enzyme production, which is essential for our digestive system to work properly. It alsostimulates gastric juicesthat aid the bodys ability to metabolize food and toxins.

2.Relieves Migraine Pain Researchers suggestthat cayenne pepper, due to its spice, is able to stimulate a pain response in adifferent part of the body. Once this happens, the brain puts its attention on that new site and will no longerconcentrate on the pain inthe head, which causes themigraine headache. After this initial pain reaction from the cayenne pepper, the nerve fibers have a depleted substance P, or pain chemical, and the sensation of pain is lessened. With cayenne compounds, youre basically tricking your body to feel pain somewhere else, so that the head is no longer the main focus for pain chemicals.

 3. Prevents Blood Clots Blood clots are blockages in your arteries and blood vessels that limit blood flow through your circulatory system. Cayenne encourages fibrinolytic activity and helps prevent blood clots. This is also the reason why cayenne pepper is effective in preventing heart attacks. Studies indicatethat the capsaicin in cayenne pepper helps to clear away artery-narrowing lipid deposits, and dilates arteries and blood vessels to clear away clots.

 4. Provides Detox Support Cayenne pepper benefits includeits ability to stimulate circulation and eliminate acidity. According toresearchpublished inCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, cayenne pepper restores the circulatory system by opening the capillariesandregulating blood sugar; it also helps the digestive system that moves bacteria and toxins out of the body. Research conducted in the Netherlandssuggests that cayenne pepper alsoincreases body temperature and boosts yourmetabolism.

5. Relieves Joint and Nerve Pain Cayenne powerhas very powerfulpain-relieving propertieswhen applied to the skin. It reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain. When there is less substance P, the pain messages no longer reach the brain and you feel relief. Studies have foundthat cayenne pepper relieves pain after surgery, such as a mastectomy or an amputation. It also alleviates pain from nerve damage in the feet or legs from diabetes, lower back injuries, neuropathy, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well asfibromyalgia symptoms like joint or muscle pain