Cayenne Pepper

The antioxidant value of ground Cayenne Pepper in ORAC units are 19,672 trolox equivalents (TE)/100g

Source: USDA Database for the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods, Release 2 - Prepared by Nutrient Data Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - May 2010

Dry peppers can be stored at room temperature in a cool, dark place and in airtight containers. Best if used within 18 months.  Store in a dry location away from sunlight.

Health benefits of cayenne peppers

• Although hot and intolerable, even in small amounts, cayenne are one of the rare spice items packed with highest concentrations of minerals, vitamins and certain phyto-nutrients. It is no wonder this wonderful spice has been found place in modern as well as in traditional medicines for its disease preventing and health promoting properties.

• Cayenne contains health benefiting an alkaloid compound capsaicin, which gives strong spicy pungent character. Early laboratory studies on experimental mammals suggest that capsaicin has anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic and anti-diabetic properties. When used judiciously it also found to reduce triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels in obese individuals.

• Fresh cayenne peppers, red or green, are rich source of vitamin-C. 100 g fresh chilies provide about76.4 mcg or about 127% of RDA. Vitamin-C is a potent water soluble antioxidant. It is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.

• Cayanne chili peppers are probably the richest spicy source of vitamin A. Just 100 g of cayenne has41,610 IU or astonishingly 1387% of vitamin A. In addition this prized spice is also home for anti-oxidant flavonoids such as carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin.  Together, these antioxidant substances in capsicum helps to protect body from injurious effects of free radicals generated during stress, diseases conditions.

• The spice contains very high levels of essential minerals. The spice if even consumed in small quantities regularly would provide sufficient levels of iron, copper, zinc, potassium, manganese, magnesium and selenium. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Selenium is anti-oxidant mineral

• 100 g of cayenne peppers provides 2014 mg or 47% of daily required amount of potassium. Potassium is an important electrolyte inside the cells and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure and counter the effects of sodium.

• Cayenne are also good in B-complex group of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish. B-complex vitamins facilitate cellular metabolism through various enzymatic functions.

Cayenne peppers have amazingly very high levels of vitamins and minerals. Just 100 g provides (in % of Recommended daily allowance)

127% of vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid), 
39% of vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine),
54% of niacin,
71% of riboflavin,
1387% of vitamin A, 
97.5% of iron,
41% of copper, 
43% of potassium,  
but no cholesterol.