Apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper is a popular weight loss combination. It is thought to cleanse the body, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system.
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What is cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper is a form of chili pepper that is commonly used for culinary purposes. It belongs to the nightshade family of plants and is closely related to jalapeños and bell peppers.
Cayenne pepper was originally grown in South and Central America. The Europeans were introduced to this wonderful spice by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century.
Cayenne pepper has a unique taste and texture. Today, it is used across the world in a variety of ways in several different cuisines.
Recent years have witnessed a growth in the research studies aimed at assessing the medicinal powers of this spice. The findings of these studies have revealed that Cayenne peppers can support weight loss and also offer other potential health benefits such as improved control of diabetes and hypertension.
Cayenne pepper also boasts of an impressive nutritional profile. It possesses many essential vitamins, minerals as well as antioxidants that could be beneficial for health.
The low-calorie content of Cayenne peppers coupled with the high amount of nutrients it possesses make it one of the best spices you can add to your diet to lose weight and stay healthy.
Does apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper help weight loss?
One of the main benefits of cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar (ACV) is that these foods can help to promote the weight loss processes.
The primary mechanism by which cayenne peppers can help you lose weight is by curbing your hunger. Research studies have shown that this spice has the potential to control your appetite by making you feel full for longer. This should prevent you from overeating and thus, control your calorie intake.
This benefit of cayenne peppers can be attributed to the presence of a compound called capsaicin in it. Capsaicin works by reducing the production of a hormone that plays a key role in increasing hunger.
ACV, on the other hand, supports the action of cayenne pepper to help you lose more pounds easily. Acetic acid, one of the active components of ACV, is believed to be responsible for the weight loss-promoting action of ACV.
Acetic acid, also called ethanoic acid, is a type of short-chain fatty acid, which has the ability to dissolve into hydrogen and acetate in your body.
Some research studies have suggested that acetic acid can improve carbohydrate metabolism. It can enhance the ability of the muscles and liver to utilize sugar present in the blood. This can allow the body to burn calories faster and thus, support weight loss.
At the same time, it also helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels thereby preventing the urge to eat carbohydrate-rich foods like cakes, pastries, and chocolates. That is how acetic acid in ACV could help you control the number of calories you consume.
ACV can also reduce the insulin to glucagon ratio, and thus, favor fat burning while increasing the production of an enzyme called AMPK, which can boost fat burning processes.
Another unique benefit of ACV is it can increase the expression of certain genes that play a role in accumulation of belly fat. It can prevent the storage of fats in the body and thus, help you lose belly fat and get into a perfect shape.
The combined use of cayenne pepper and ACV can help you derive the medicinal benefits of both these foods including fat burning, control of appetite and craving and reduced fat storage and thus, support faster weight loss.
Other potential benefits
Boost the metabolism
Have you ever noticed that some people do not gain weight even though they eat whatever they like? If yes, then you can say they are blessed with a faster metabolic rate. It is the rate at which your body can breakdown and burn calories from carbohydrates and fats.
You can improve your metabolic rate by consuming cayenne pepper and ACV. Capsaicin in cayenne peppers possesses a strong medicinal potential that can help to boost your metabolism. It can increase the speed at which your body can burn fats thereby enhancing weight loss results.
It is believed to work through a process called thermogenesis, which results in a rise in body temperature. One research study has revealed that eating a breakfast containing capsaicin and MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) can help you burn 51% more calories by boosting the fat burning processes of the body.
Similarly, ACV also helps to increase the metabolic functions of the body and thus, speed up the weight loss mechanisms.
Controls blood pressure
Increased blood pressure is a common precursor to several life-threatening disorders including heart attacks, retinopathy, and stroke. Hence, it is important to take steps to control your blood pressure to avoid developing these complications.
Regular consumption of cayenne peppers and ACV may be able to help you control hypertension in a safe and effective way. Capsaicin in cayenne pepper can produce a vasodilatory effect, which means it can cause relaxation of the walls of the blood vessels due to which the pressure within them is reduced.
This action of capsaicin may assist in controlling hypertension and also ensure a smooth and uninterrupted supply of blood to the vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys.
Improves digestive health
Most people believe that they must avoid acidic and spicy foods as they can cause stomach upsets. Well… This is true to some extent. However, it is the excessive consumption of spices and acidic foods that could cause irritation in the stomach.
If you drink ACV or take ACV pills, which have an acidic pH, and cayenne pepper, which is spicy, in smaller quantities, it can actually help relieve several digestive complaints.
Cayenne pepper may protect the stomach and intestine against infections, thereby restoring their ability to breakdown, assimilate and digest foods.
ACV and cayenne pepper can also improve the production of enzymes secreted by the stomach and intestine thus improving the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Additionally, the antioxidant action of ACV could be beneficial for patients who are at risk of cancers of the stomach and esophagus. ACV may protect the digestive organs against the damage caused by free radicals and prevent abnormal changes that can lead to cancer.
Relieves pain
Patients who suffer from chronic painful conditions such as osteoarthritis are advised to include cayenne pepper and ACV in their regular diet. These foods possess natural anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent wear and tear of the joints and thus, reduce pain, stiffness, and restriction of movements.
Potential side effects
ACV and cayenne pepper may cause a few mild to moderate side effects, though these effects far outweigh the benefits you can achieve by using them.
Apple cider vinegar has an acidic pH. The acidic nature of ACV makes it undesirable for your teeth. It may cause weakening or corrosion of the enamel of your tooth. As a result, the tooth enamel may wear off resulting in decay or caries. Once the enamel of the teeth is lost, it may expose the inner delicate structures such as the nerves due to which you can develop sharp pain and increased sensitivity while eating cold and hot foods.
However, you can prevent this side effect by avoiding a direct consumption of ACV. You can add it to your foods or dilute it in a small quantity of water to neutralize its acidic nature. Another option is to use apple cider vinegar capsules.
Cayenne pepper, just like bell peppers, can cause a mild burning sensation in your stomach, when consumed in excess quantities. Capsaicin in it can cause irritation in your digestive system. Hence, it may not be suitable for patients who suffer from digestive ailments such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Conclusion
The weight loss journey of every person is riddled with a number of obstacles like increased appetite, inability to control the urge to eat sugars, a hereditary tendency to gain belly fat, and a slow metabolic rate.
If you have tried losing those excess pounds several times without any results, you can try including cayenne pepper and ACV in your diet.
This combination of a spice and vinegar could work around your body’s internal processes in such a way that losing weight can become easier for you. And with this, you may be able to turn your weight loss journey into a story of success.
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