How can cayenne pepper be used

Some of my favorite cooking discoveries are sweet recipes using cayenne pepper, like desserts and breakfast foods. Try something as quick as adding a tiny pinch of cayenne powder to your coffee or hot chocolate and you'll instantly see how versatile this ingredient can be.

Here are a few simple dishes to try that will completely change the way you look at cayenne and heat in cooking. Cayenne and chocolate make a perfect flavor pair. This sweet dessert gives you a little kick while also managing to be pretty healthy thanks to the avocados.

Here's what you'll need:. Mix all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Chill in the fridge for at least thirty minutes and serve. This smoothie is loaded with nutrients, and the addition of cayenne powder gives it just the right kick to satisfy those sweet and savory cravings that hit in the afternoon.

I have a tendency to crave savory foods in the morning, but when I'm trying to eat healthy I stick with oatmeal. Adding a dash of cayenne gives my breakfast a little punch that satisfies those cravings while still helping me eat well. Stir the oats and milk together and mix in the spices. Cook according to the stove or microwave directions from your favorite oatmeal recipe. Cayenne isn't just for chili cook-offs and spicy curries.

There are a lot of versatile ways you can use this red powder in your kitchen. Just remember that less is more when you're experimenting! Do you like pursuing new seasoning adventures?

The spice decreases blood clotting. The cultures where cayenne pepper is heavily consumed heart disease occurs much less. Vitamins A, C and B6 are found in large amounts in the spice. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, pregnant woman can include the spice in their foods, but should not take a cayenne pepper supplement.

However, if you are nursing, cayenne pepper is not recommended as it will pass through the breast milk. Cayenne pepper is too spicy for infants. Nutrition Cooking and Baking Herbs and Spices. Julie Hampton. Julie Hampton has worked as a professional freelance writer since for various newspapers and websites including "The Florida Sun" and "Pensacola News Journal. Army as a combat medic and nurse for over six years and recently worked as the Community Relations Director for a health center.

Hampton studied journalism and communications at the University of West Florida. Many products that contain cayenne pepper claim to boost metabolism and promote weight loss, but not all the evidence has been conclusive.

One study found that consuming 1 gram g of cayenne pepper in a meal increased core body temperature slightly. This, in turn, would burn additional calories. In some cases, participants also had less desire to eat fatty, sweet, or salty foods after consuming capsaicin.

In , scientists gave healthy volunteers a placebo , a 2-milligram mg dosage, or a 4-mg dosage of capsaicin for 12 weeks. However, many other studies have looked at cayenne or capsaicin combined with other ingredients, so it is not possible to identify the exact role of the pepper compound. If further research indicates that cayenne or capsaicin helps the body burn calories, the pepper could become a healthful part of a weight management plan.

Which drinks are good for losing weight? Learn more here. The table below shows the amount of each nutrient in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper weighing around 1. It also shows how much of each nutrient an adult needs per day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans — Cayenne is a versatile spice that goes well with savory dishes. Some people add it to egg or fish dishes, casseroles, tacos, or pasta. Fresh Texas salsa with green hatch chilies.

Some people drink a mixture that includes cayenne pepper and lemon juice as part of a detox diet. However, there is little evidence that any detox diet has specific health benefits. Many foods can trigger an allergic reaction in some people, but research suggests that a cayenne pepper allergy is rare. Still, anyone who experiences hives , swelling, or difficulty breathing after eating cayenne pepper should receive immediate medical attention.

You could also try adding fresh, finely chopped cayenne pepper to recipes like omelets and salad dressings to reduce the need for added salt. When working with cayenne peppers or any other spicy pepper in the kitchen, avoid touching your eyes after handling them. Cayenne peppers may irritate your eyes and skin, so wash your hands thoroughly after chopping or touching them.

Also, if spicy foods tend to upset your stomach or give you heartburn, you may want to avoid cayenne, especially in large doses. Normal serving sizes of both fresh and powdered cayenne pepper are safe. However, taking high-dose cayenne pepper supplements has been linked to dangerous side effects in some people, including irregular heartbeat and elevated blood pressure You can use cayenne pepper in many recipes. Plus, it contains a variety of protective plant compounds, like capsaicin and flavonoids.

Some studies have linked hot pepper consumption in general to a lower risk of mortality, and some researchers have suggested that the plant compounds found in cayenne pepper may benefit heart health. However, research on the specific benefits of cayenne pepper is currently limited, and more studies are needed to assess how consuming cayenne pepper may affect your health.

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