Cayenne for Sports & Fitness

Botanical names: Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens

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© Steven Foster

Why do athletes use it?*

Some athletes say that cayenne

What do the advocates say?*

Topical preparations (containing the active ingredient capsaicin) have been reported to be mildly to moderately effective in clinical settings. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved capsaicin for use as a topical pain reliever in 1995. The Commission E (an expert committee established by the German government to evaluate the safety and efficacy of herbs and herb combinations sold in Germany) has also approved topical capsaicin use in adults and children for painful muscle spasms of the shoulder arm and spine.

How much is usually taken by athletes?

Capsaicin ointment, applied four times daily over painful joints in the upper or lower limbs, reduces pain caused by osteoarthritis,1 and a plaster containing capsaicin applied to the low back for several hours per day provided relief from chronic low back pain in one study.2 Other uses of cayenne or capsaicin for sports and fitness have not been studied.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

Besides causing a mild burning during the first few applications (or severe burning if accidentally placed in sensitive areas, such as the eyes), side effects are few with the use of capsaicin cream.3 As with anything applied to the skin, some people may have an allergic reaction to the cream, so the first application should be to a very small area of skin. Do not attempt to use capsaicin cream intra-nasally for headache treatment without professional guidance.

When consumed as food—one pepper per day for many years—cayenne may increase the risk of stomach cancer, according to one study.4 A different human study found that people who ate the most cayenne actually had lower rates of stomach cancer.5 Overall, the current scientific evidence is contradictory. Thus, the relationship between cayenne consumption and increased risk of stomach cancer remains unclear.6 Oral intake of even 1 ml of tincture three times per day can cause burning in the mouth and throat, and can cause the nose to run and eyes to water. People with ulcers, heartburn, or gastritis should use any cayenne-containing product cautiously as it may worsen their condition.

Are there any drug interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with cayenne. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

Parts used and where grown

Originally from South America, the cayenne plant is now used worldwide as a food and spice. Cayenne is very closely related to bell peppers, jalapeños, paprika, and other similar peppers. The fruit is used medicinally.

Resources

See a list of books, periodicals, and other resources for this and related topics.

*Athletes and fitness advocates may claim benefits for cayenne based on their personal or professional experience. These are individual opinions and testimonials that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or published scientific articles on cayenne. For more complete and detailed information, including references and safety information, see Cayenne as an herbal remedy.

References

1. Fusco BM, Giacovazzo M. Peppers and pain. The promise of capsaicin. Drugs 1997;53:909–14 [review].

2. Keitel W, Frerick H, Kuhn U, et al. Capsicum plaster in chronic non-specific low back pain. Arzneimittelforshung 2001;51:896–903.

3. Siften DW (ed). Physicians’ Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1998, 790–1.

4. Lopez-Carrillo L, Avila M, Dubrow R. Chili pepper consumption and gastric cancer in Mexico: A case-control study. Amer J Epidem 1994;139:263–71.

5. Buiatti E, Palli D, Decarli A, et al. A case-control study of gastric cancer and diet in Italy. Int J Cancer 1989;44:611–6.

6. Surh YJ, Lee SS. Capsaicin in hot chili pepper: Carcinogen, co-carcinogen or anticarcinogen? Food Chem Toxic 1996;34:313–6.