This Is What Happens To Your Body When You Drink Cayenne Pepper Tea

Drinking cayenne pepper tea might sound like some kind of crazy food challenge that bored teens are doing on Tiktok, but it's actually a beverage that many people are drinking for its health benefits. It's quite simple to make cayenne pepper tea, so you can easily add it to your daily routine.

As with any tea, you start with hot (or boiling) water, then stir in ground cayenne to taste — about one-quarter teaspoon to start, although feel free to add more if you're a fan of super-spicy foods. Stir the cayenne until it's dissolved, and then squeeze in the juice of half a lemon for flavoring and added nutritional value. If you like, you can add additional flavorings such as turmeric or ginger, both of which are also amongst the healthiest of spices. If you prefer your tea on the sweet side, a spoonful of honey will do the trick, and it might also do you some good. Once your tea is cool enough to drink, sip it slowly. That way, the heat of the cayenne won't hit you all at once and burn your throat.

The active ingredient in cayenne pepper is a substance called capsaicin, which is a thermogenic chemical that helps speed up your metabolism (meaning you burn more calories!), according to Healthline. Plus, a study published in the research journal Appetite showed that adding cayenne pepper to your diet has the ability to make you feel more full after eating and to decrease food cravings. 

Cayenne's benefits go beyond your waistline. It also contains antioxidants, including Vitamins A and C, and may have anti-inflammatory properties. It's said to improve circulation and digestion, possibly protect against heart disease, work as a natural mood booster, and clear toxins from the blood (via Very Well Fit). And Men's Journal calls cayenne pepper tea a natural decongestant, particularly if prepared with lemon and honey.

Still not sure you want to drink the stuff? If you'd rather not commit to an entire cup of cayenne tea, you can try making a type of tincture instead. Dissolve one teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of water and then consume just a teaspoonful several times a day. If you're okay with pepper but not such a fan of tea, though, you can always do as the Pioneer Woman does and add a little cayenne to your coffee.