Since a celebrity shared last week her recipe for a drink that helped her lose and maintain weight, the internet has been buzzing, and everyone wants to get their hands on the “miracle elixir.”In case you missed it, the drink is made of water with lemon, ginger, and cayenne pepper, consumed daily.
According to her, it not only provides a feeling of fullness but also makes the skin glow.
A few days after the video was posted on her social media account, followers reported that cayenne pepper was sold out from stores.Cayenne pepper is not just popular among this celebrity: searching “Cayenne Pepper” online shows over 125 million views on videos, with hundreds of users explaining its benefits and offering upgraded recipes for the drink.
So what is this pepper featured in the popular drink among celebrities like Beyoncé?
Here are some interesting facts about this new star in your kitchen.
Cayenne pepper is a type of hot red pepper originating from South America.
It is used in cooking spicy dishes in its natural form, as powder, flakes, or in extracted oil.
The pepper is rich in iron, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and several B vitamins.
Cayenne pepper rates between 30,000 and 50,000 Scoville units, a scale that measures pepper spiciness based on the content of active compounds like capsaicin (also used in pepper spray) and piperine. Its heat ranges from mild like paprika to very high, depending on the capsaicin content. The higher the capsaicin, the hotter the pepper.
Used as a medicinal plant
Historically, cayenne was believed to save lives, and herbalists used it to assist the injured.
Studies published in journals such as Open Heart (2015) and FEMS Microbiology Letters (1997) highlight capsaicin’s role in accelerating metabolism and aiding in stomach tissue regeneration, helping heal ulcers.
Capsaicin also promotes fat burning, making it a popular ingredient in weight loss drinks.
Research in Nutrients (2017) found that capsaicin can reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
It enhances fibrin breakdown and may help prevent blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
The compound is also available in capsule form in health stores.
Consuming spicy foods stimulates and improves digestion.
Research in the New England Journal of Medicine found that about 2.5 grams of red pepper before meals significantly reduced irritable bowel symptoms.
Cayenne also has anti-cancer properties.
Studies, including one in Molecules (2016), found that the pepper induces cancer cell death (apoptosis) while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
It also has anti-fungal properties and can help regulate blood pressure.
A homemade remedy of warm water with lemon and a teaspoon of cayenne can relieve sore throat or cold symptoms.
Creams and gels containing capsaicin are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve arthritis pain and conditions such as shingles or diabetic neuropathy.