There are tons of healthy foods out there but cayenne pepper is one of the absolute healthiest. It has been scientifically proven to be an anti-irritant, an anti-cold and flu agent, an anti-allergen, a detox aid, and a joint-pain reliever. But the big reason that it has exploded in mainstream popularity in the past couple of years is because of its power as a weight loss aid.
Cayenne pepper has incredible weight loss benefits. It helps to speed up the metabolism and suppress the appetite. Studies have shown that consuming cayenne pepper with a meal causes you to eat 60 calories less on average with your next meal. It also helps you burn an extra 10 calories during this time period. Here are some easy ways to eat cayenne pepper to shed weight.
1. Grow at home
When it comes to the weight loss benefits of cayenne pepper, it’s important to understand the difference between store-bought cayenne pepper and that grown at home. Cayenne pepper is cheap and available in the grocery store but it’s even more affordable and healthier when you grow it at home. While it’s easy to grow in small containers, you can do it indoors too. If you are serious about adding cayenne pepper to your diet to lose weight, then you need to consider growing it yourself.
2. Eat whole
Those that are most serious about using cayenne pepper to lose weight eat them whole. Eating a couple of them per day is a great start. Naturally, you will need a relatively high tolerance to spicy food to do this because whole cayenne peppers are rather hot. But, if you have any health issues, consult your doctor first.
3. Sprinkle on eggs
Sprinkling chopped cayenne pepper, cayenne pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper powder on hard boiled eggs is a great way to add the vegetable to your breakfasts. It also tastes particularly good on scrambled eggs. Eggs are an excellent source of protein that helps you shed pounds without losing muscle mass.
4. Sprinkle on veggies
Another way to add cayenne pepper to your daily diet is by sprinkling it on your vegetables. Cayenne pepper flakes go particularly well with grilled or sautéed vegetables. You can also sprinkle some cayenne pepper powder on your favorite vegetable sticks to get the best benefits of both worlds!
5. Sprinkle on meat
Meat is another food that you can sprinkle cayenne pepper flakes onto. Cayenne pepper gives meats, such as chicken, turkey, beef, and fish, a spicy kick and incredible flavor. Sprinkling cayenne pepper on meat is one of the easiest ways to incorporate the hot vegetable into your diet.
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6. Infuse in water
One of the easiest ways to consume cayenne pepper to drop pounds is to infuse it in water. You do this in much the same way as making tea. You simply combine hot water with a small amount of cayenne pepper powder (around one teaspoon) and let this sit for a few minutes. Next take one spoonful of this mixture and combine it with a glass of drinking water. Then all you have to do is drink up.
7. Crush on salad
If you’re not a huge fan of cayenne pepper, adding a bit of it to your salad is a sneaky way to drop pounds. Cayenne pepper tastes great on just about any kind of salad. Chop and crush your peppers and add them on top as a tasty garnish. This is one of the easiest ways to consume cayenne pepper to lose weight.
8. Sliced in sandwich
Eating cayenne pepper in your sandwiches is another way to incorporate the vegetable into your diet. Slice the peppers up into thin slices or use cayenne pepper powder or flakes. Just don’t overdo it, and make sure you use only diet-friendly ingredients in your sandwiches.
9. In a spicy spread
Many people like to blend cayenne pepper and hummus together to make a spicy spread. These spreads taste great on sandwiches and toast. You can also dip vegetables or crackers into it. If you are trying to consume cayenne peppers to lose more pounds, then having a little of this spread on hand is a smart idea.
10. In capsules
If you don’t really like the red-hot taste of cayenne pepper, there is still an easy way to include it in your diet. You can find cayenne pepper capsules (sort of like a nutritional supplement) at most supermarkets. Simply swallow one of these pills with water each morning and you will get your daily dose of cayenne pepper without all the burn. But again, consult your doctor first.
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Cayenne pepper isn’t magic. It won’t take the weight off all by itself. You need to combine it with a healthy overall diet and regular exercise to really see its full weight loss effects. However, there is no denying that cayenne pepper does speed up the metabolism and suppress the appetite. It is a great weight loss aid when used intelligently alongside other tools and strategies.