6 Major Health Benefits Of Capsaicin

6 Major Health Benefits Of Capsaicin

 

1. May Be Helpful in Treating Cancer
Of the many benefits consuming capsaicin has to offer, few have been reviewed as much as its powerful effect against cancer.
For example, various studies show capsaicin can effectively fight prostate cancer, including a 2006 study at the UCLA School of Medicine, stating it has a “profound antiproliferative effect” on this type of cancer. Researchers found that taking capsaicin orally significantly stopped the spread of prostate cancer cells as well as caused apoptosis (cell death) in more than one type of prostate cancer cell.
In a gerbil study, scientists also discovered capsaicin to be effective against H. pylori-induced gastritis, an infection of the stomach lining caused by a bacteria penetrating the inner mucous layer. This condition is of particular concern in developing nations where living conditions are also cramped, where the H. pylori bacteria is most common. Capsaicin, along with piperine, in this study acted by decreasing inflammation caused by the virus, and it was determined, therefore, to be a useful way to potentially prevent the next step in this bacterial infection: gastric cancer.
Another type of cancer capsaicin may be useful in fighting is breast cancer, the second most fatal cancer in women. For some time, it’s been clear that capsaicin has the ability to induce apoptosis in specific breast cancer cells, but another breakthrough study was released in South Korea in late 2015 that found capsaicin may also help kill an additional type of cell: breast cancer stem cells.
This discovery is especially important because the stem cells that remain after the other cancer cells have died are the ones responsible for recurrences of the disease.
Capsaicin has been researched at length in conjunction with its impact on primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). This form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a rare one associated with HIV.
There’s also some research suggesting that capsaicin can help decrease the size and frequency of certain lung tumors.
In general, research abounds with the truth that treatment with capsaicin, alongside other useful dietary tools, is an astounding potential treatment for cancers of many kinds. It’s been found to have positive effects on shrinking tumors, preventing metastasis (new tumors found away from the original cancer site), causing apoptosis in various cancer models and even potentially preventing cancer from occurring in the first place.
Interestingly, capsaicin also has a cancer-related benefit outside of cancer cells. It’s also available in cream form that’s used for a variety of ailments, including mouth sores that are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
2. Decreases Incidence of Cluster Headaches
Using capsaicin is a common pain relief technique, which I discuss in more detail below. One specific pain remedy that commonly includes the cream form of this natural pain reliever is the treatment of cluster headaches. Different from migraine or tension headaches, these recurring, specific headaches are described by most as the worst pain they have ever experienced, with some women even comparing it to the pain of childbirth.
While they’re rare, cluster headaches are debilitating and can last for six to 12 weeks. There are many lifestyle and dietary options that are useful in treating them, including the application of capsaicin cream to the inside of a nostril on the side of your head suffering the headache. By repeatedly applying the cream, subjects found the frequency of their headaches decreased for up to 60 days after ending this treatment option in a study conducted by the Institute of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Florence, Italy.
3. Relieves Pain
Capsaicin is a commonly known pain-relief agent. The reasons for this are widely unknown, although scientists are uncovering more about the mechanisms it uses to provide relief. It seems that, in large part, capsaicin provides analgesic relief by activating the TRPV1 receptor, which then causes the brain to release a neurotransmitter called “substance P.”
Especially in cream form, it’s been used for many years to treat pain related to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as certain kinds of joint pain.
More recently, researchers have been investigating a method of injecting highly purified capsaicin into cartilage and tendons connected to a damaged rotator cuff. While this did not speed the healing process as initially expected, it did significantly alter pain responses, making it a good candidate for pain treatment for this condition.
4. Treats Psoriasis
In addition to treating pain, capsaicin has been long known for its ability to treat various skin conditions, including the dry, itchy skin of psoriasis. Substance P seems to be an effective treatment for this condition, as research shows that continued application of capsaicin cream shows a dramatically decreased amount of psoriasis breakout on the skin. However, patients did report that the initial applications of capsaicin cream came with some minor burning, itching and stinging, which went away after the first several applications.
5. Aids in Management of Diabetes
Like many features of healthy foods, capsaicin is very useful when aiming to prevent and treat diabetes. Consistently consuming foods high in this nutrient has been proven to improve the blood sugar and insulin reactions in both men and women, and also in women with gestational diabetes.
A painful condition associated with diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, may also be treated with capsaicin cream to decrease pain responses.
6. Helps in Weight-Loss Efforts
If you’re trying to lose weight, you should probably consider eating capsaicin-rich foods, such as chili peppers. Research has found that eating these spicy foods may lower body weight, speed metabolism, help burn fat and suppress appetite in animals.
This may also be a benefit to those of you who combine exercise with a nutritional approach to weight loss, as capsaicin consumption also improves athletic performance and overall physical endurance.

How to Use Capsaicin

The simplest way to introduce capsaicin into your system is by eating foods that contain it, namely, all pepper varieties except for the bell pepper, which contains no capsaicin due to a recessive gene it contains. If you aren’t used to eating spicy foods, it’s important to take it slowly and begin with very mild varieties before working your way up to that Carolina Reaper.
Looking for helpful ways to introduce capsaicin-rich peppers into your routine? Try this Lamb Burgers Recipe I created that is mild enough for kids, even though it contains a jalapeno. Celebrating a big game with friends? Help them find capsaicin’s benefits, too, by making these gluten-free Buffalo Chicken Tenders with cayenne powder.
You may also purchase capsaicin in supplement form, often referred to as “cayenne powder pills,” or in the form of a cream. In the latter form, specifically, you’ll be able to enjoy its external benefits, such as treating psoriasis, as well as some pain benefits, like treating cluster headaches and relieving joint and muscle pain.