Cayenne pepper is one of the most popular spices that are used all over the world. Apart from its culinary advantages, it is also known for its medicinal properties. The pepper belongs to the Capsicum family of vegetables and is botanically called Capsicum annum. The plant of cayenne pepper grows in the warm, moist, nutrient-rich soil. It requires warm climate and grows to a height of 2-4 feet. The fruit of the plant is dried and ground to form the powdered spice called cayenne pepper. The pepper is rich in vitamins, protein, minerals and several other nutrients. Though it is associated with the production of burning sensation, it has several health benefits to its credit. We bring you the nutrition value of cayenne pepper, credited for its benefits, in the lines below.
Cayenne Pepper Nutrition Facts
Amount of Cayenne Pepper: 1 tbsp
Total Weight of Cayenne Pepper: 5 g
|
Nutrients
|
Amount
|
|
Basic Components
|
|
| Carbohydrates | 3.0 g |
|
Protein
|
0.6 g
|
|
Water
|
0.4 g
|
|
Ash
|
0.3 g
|
|
Calories
|
|
|
Total Calories
|
69.9 KJ
|
|
Calories From Fat
|
31.8 KJ
|
|
Calories From Protein
|
8.8 KJ
|
|
Calories From Carbohydrate
|
29.3 KJ
|
|
Carbohydrate
|
|
|
Dietary Fiber
|
1.4 g
|
|
Starch
|
1.4 g
|
|
Sugars
Sucrose
|
0.5 g
0.5 g
|
|
Glucose
|
0.5 g
|
|
Fructose
|
0.5 g
|
|
Lactose
|
0.5 g
|
|
Maltose
|
0.5 g
|
|
Galactose
|
0.5 g
|
|
Fats
|
|
|
Total Fat
|
0.9 g
|
|
Saturated Fat
|
0.2 g
|
|
Monounsaturated Fat
|
0.1 g
|
|
Polyunsaturated Fat
|
0.4 g
|
|
Vitamins
|
|
|
Vitamin A
|
2185 IU
|
|
Retinol Activity Equivalent
|
109 mcg
|
|
Beta Carotene
|
1146 mcg
|
|
Beta Cryptoxanthin
|
328 mcg
|
|
Leutin+Zeaxanthin
|
691 mcg
|
|
Vitamin C
|
4.0 mg
|
|
Vitamin D
|
4.0 mg
|
|
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)
|
1.6 mg
|
|
Beta Tocopherol
|
1.6 mg
|
|
Gamma Tocopherol
|
1.6 mg
|
|
Delta Tocopherol
|
1.6 mg
|
|
Vitamin K
|
4.2 mcg
|
|
Niacin
|
0.5 mg
|
|
Vitamin B6
|
0.1 mg
|
|
Folate
|
5.6 mcg
|
|
Food Folate
|
5.6 mcg
|
|
Dietary Folate Equivalents
|
5.6 mcg
|
|
Choline
|
2.7 mg
|
|
Betaine
|
2.7 mg
|
|
Minerals
|
|
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Calcium
|
7.8 mg
|
|
Iron
|
0.4 mg
|
|
Magnesium
|
8.0 mg
|
|
Manganese
|
0.1 mg
|
|
Phosphorus
|
15.4 mg
|
|
Potassium
|
106 mg
|
|
Sodium
|
1.6 mg
|
|
Zinc
|
0.1 mg
|
|
Selenium
|
0.5 mcg
|
|
Fluoride
|
0.5 mcg
|
|
Sterols
|
|
|
Phytosterols
|
4.4 mg
|
|
Campesterol
|
4.4 mg
|
|
Stigmasterol
|
4.4 mg
|
|
Beta-sitosterol
|
4.4 mg
|
|
Saturated Fats
|
|
|
10:00
|
1.6 mg
|
|
12:00
|
1.6 mg
|
|
13:00
|
1.6 mg
|
|
14:00
|
4.7 mg
|
|
15:00
|
4.7 mg
|
|
16:00
|
124 mg
|
|
17:00
|
124 mg
|
|
18:00
|
25.7 mg
|
|
19:00
|
25.7 mg
|
|
20:00
|
25.7 mg
|
|
22:00
|
25.7 mg
|
|
24:00:00
|
25.7 mg
|
|
Mono unsaturated Fat
|
|
|
14:01
|
0.1 g
|
|
15:01
|
0.1 g
|
|
16:1 undifferentiated
|
12.6 mg
|
|
16:1 c
|
12.6 mg
|
|
16:1 t
|
12.6 mg
|
|
17:01
|
12.6 mg
|
|
18:1 undifferentiated
|
132 mg
|
|
18:1 c
|
132 mg
|
|
18:1 t
|
132 mg
|
|
Polyunsaturated Fat
|
|
|
16:2 undifferentiated
|
0.4 g
|
|
18:2 undifferentiated
|
405 mg
|
|
18:2 n-6 c, c
|
405 mg
|
|
18:2 c, t
|
405 mg
|
|
18:2 t, c
|
405 mg
|
|
18:2 t, t
|
405 mg
|
|
18:2 i
|
405 mg
|
|
18:2 t not further defined
|
405 mg
|
|
18:03
|
34.6 mg
|
|
18:3 n-3, c, c, c
|
34.6 mg
|
|
18:3 n-6, c, c, c
|
34.6 mg
|
|
Other Fats
|
|
|
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
|
34.6 mg
|
|
Omega 6 Fatty Acids
|
405 mg
|
|
Amino Acids
|
|
|
Alanine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Arginine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Cystine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Glycine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Histidine
|
0.6g
|
|
Isoleucine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Leucine
|
0.6g
|
|
Lysine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Methionine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Phenylalanine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Proline
|
0.6 g
|
|
Serine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Threonine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Tryptophan
|
0.6 g
|
|
Tyrosine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Valine
|
0.6 g
|
|
Hydroxyproline
|
0.6 g
|
|
Glutamic Acid
|
0.6 g
|
|
Aspartic Acid
|
0.6 g
|
Buying & Storing Tips
- Always buy the organically-grown variety of dried cayenne pepper.
- While storing cayenne pepper, keep it in a tightly sealed glass jar, away from direct sunlight.
- Always buy the pepper from local spice stores or ethnic stores, as you get a wide selection there. These markets also offer pepper of superior quality and freshness.




