Penn Herb Wellness Guide

Cayenne for Sports & FitnessFind Products

Chili Peppers
Chili Peppers: Main Image© Steven Foster

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.

Side Effects

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.

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

At the time of writing, there were no well-known supplement or food interactions with this supplement.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

Types of interactions:beneficial= Beneficialadverse= Adversecheck= Check
dnicon_BeneficialReplenish Depleted Nutrients

none

dnicon_BeneficialReduce Side Effects

none

dnicon_BeneficialSupport Medicine
dnicon_AvoidReduces Effectiveness

none

dnicon_AvoidPotential Negative Interaction

none

dnicon_CheckExplanation Required

none

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.