Can Eating Too Much Cayenne Pepper Cause Digestive Issues?

While cayenne is familiar to many as a spice used to add flavor to foods, this long, red-hued pepper is also known for its health benefits. Used either fresh or dried, the spicy vegetable adds heat to recipes and has been used to help with digestive problems, pain, and inflammation, among other issues. But if you ingest too much pepper, you may experience side effects such as gastrointestinal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, the Ohio State University (OSU) says. In rare cases, a chemical compound in peppers can cause severe complications.

Cayenne and Capsaicin

Cayenne contains capsaicin, which is the chemical compound that gives hot peppers like cayenne their heat, Columbia University says. Capsaicin is also responsible for many of the health benefits cayenne is known for, the Cleveland Clinic says. Cayenne peppers are rich in nutrients, with high levels of vitamins A, C, B6, and K, all of which are antioxidants, according to research. Antioxidants can help protect cells against the cumulative damage that leads to disease, the Mayo Clinic says. A diet rich in antioxidants can help prevent heart disease and some cancers.

Capsaicin has been shown to fight inflammation, which can influence the development of many diseases, including heart disease. Cayenne pepper can also improve digestion in those who aren't sensitive to it, by increasing gastric juices and enzyme production to help break down foods. Capsaicin is best known for its use as a pain reliever — it's available in topical formulations to treat arthritis and other pain.

But too much capsaicin in food can lead to general symptoms of irritation in the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach, says University Hospitals, a healthcare system in Cleveland, Ohio. At times, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or painful bowel movements. In rare cases, it's also known to cause allergic reactions, and can lead to complications, according to the National Capitol Poison Center. Those can include  shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations, heart attack, and stroke. Capsaicin is present in both fresh and dried forms of cayenne, such as cayenne powder, Britannica says.

Ways to Reduce Irritation

If you enjoy the flavor of cayenne in your food or your doctor has advised you to take it as a supplement, consume the cayenne in small amounts as you build up tolerance, OSU says. Cayenne or capsaicin supplements may be easier on your digestive system if they're formulated as an oil-water emulsion, or as a liposomal encapsulation (a bubble-like sphere that surrounds the active ingredient to act as a buffer), research says. Liposomal supplements and oil-water emulsions extend the digestion process enough that the supplement is broken down mostly in the intestines, rather than the stomach.

For a burning mouth, try swishing with milk or a sugary drink like cherry Kool-Aid — the Cleveland Clinic says that research shows the milk protein casein and the sugar in Kool-Aid are able to tame capsaicin irritation. Sucking on a sugar cube might also help. But if it's your stomach that's upset, milk might make it worse, as it can increase acid production. Try an over-the-counter antacid in that case, such as Tums or Rolaids.

Capsaicin will linger on your fingers after preparing cayenne peppers. Take care not to touch your eyes, skin, or open wounds if you've been handling cayenne — dried or fresh — with your bare hands. If you do, a milk wash (yes, even in the eyes) can soothe this type of irritation as well. Consider using gloves if you're cooking with cayenne or other spicy peppers or spices derived from them.

Heartburn Risks

Cayenne pepper can cause heartburn in some people, though it can alleviate symptoms in others, the Cleveland Clinic says. How capsaicin causes heartburn pain is still unclear, according to research, but it may be due to the compound's effects on nerve receptors in the esophageal lining.

Medication Interactions

Capsaicin can interact with certain medications, including ACE inhibitors, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions, and kidney issues, MedlinePlus says. There are many drugs in this class, including benazepril, captopril, enalapril (Epaned), fosinopril, and others, the Cleveland Clinic says.

Cayenne may interact with immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Neoral), ACE inhibitors, and antiplatelet drugs, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center says. Antiplatelet drugs are a class of blood thinners that includes aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole, tirofiban (Aggrastat), cilostazol, among others, the Cleveland Clinic says.

If you're considering taking cayenne or capsaicin supplements or increasing your cayenne consumption, talk to your doctor first.