Capsaicin is the active ingredient in pepper that gives it its spicy heat. Pure capsaicin is the same compound but without any other ingredients. Pure capsaicin on the Scoville scale would be 1 million times hotter than a jalapeño pepper. So what exactly is pure capsaicin, and how can you get some? What would pure capsaicin be on the Scoville Scale? Read on to find out more about this spicy molecule!
What Would Pure Capsaicin Be On The Scoville Scale?
Pure capsaicin is the hottest natural substance known to man, and it’s been estimated that pure capsaicin would be around 16 million Scoville units. That’s hotter than peppers like the habanero, which is about 100,000 Scoville units. It might sound like a lot more fun to take a bite out of pepper than it actually is when you realize that pure capsaicin is about as hot as pepper spray!
What Is Pure Capsaicin?
If you’re not familiar with capsaicin, it’s the chemical responsible for the spiciness of chili peppers. When consumed by mammals (including humans), capsaicin binds to a protein called TRPV1 in our bodies and stimulates the nerves in our mouths.
This reaction causes an intense burning sensation that lingers on your tongue and lips for several minutes after eating something with capsaicin in it. Pure capsaicin is simply a 100% pure form of this spicy compound.
Uses of Pure Capsaicin
1. Pure Capsaicin Is a Natural Pain Reliever
You may be wondering, “What would pure capsaicin do?” Well, this is a good question. Pure capsaicin is still a natural pain reliever and can be used in topical ointments to help relieve muscle and joint pains.
2. Pure Capsaicin Is Used to Treat Pain
Capsaicin is a natural pain reliever, which means it can be used to treat certain types of chronic pain. Capsaicin-based topical creams are available over the counter and can be applied to the skin to relieve back pain, arthritis, muscle soreness, and other types of chronic pain.
3. Pure Capsaicin Is Used to Treat Arthritis and Other Joint Problems
Pure capsaicin is a natural anti-inflammatory drug that has been used to treat arthritis and other joint problems. The Scoville scale measures the heat of peppers, but it doesn’t measure the natural anti-inflammatory properties that pure capsaicin can provide.
For instance, if you have rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis and want to try natural remedies before resorting to medication, you might try capsaicin supplements or topical creams containing this effective substance.
4. Pure Capsaicin Is Used to Treat Nerve Pain
Pure capsaicin has been shown to have an analgesic effect on the nervous system and has been used to treat nerve pain for years now with mixed results.
Capsaicin is a chemical found naturally in chili peppers that produce spicy heat when it comes into contact with skin or mucous membranes like those found inside your mouth and nose.
5. Pure Capsaicin Is Used to Treat Headaches
Pure capsaicin is used to treat headaches and migraines. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers, has been found to reduce headache frequency and duration of headaches. Capsaicin can be used alone or alongside other medications such as NSAIDs (over-the-counter pain relievers) and opiates.
It’s been shown that pure capsaicin can be used to treat migraines; however, there is not enough evidence to support its use as a treatment for cluster headaches.
Are There Any Health Benefits To Eating Spicy Foods?
1. Capsaicin Improves the Heart
There are some health benefits to eating spicy foods, as capsaicin may increase metabolism and improve heart health. Capsaicin has been shown to reduce cholesterol in mice, and it’s also believed that it can help lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation.
People who eat a lot of spicy food tend to have healthier diets overall compared with those who don’t eat much spice – they eat more fruits and vegetables than those who avoid hot stuff.
2. Capsaicin May Help You Lose Weight
If you’re looking for a natural way to lose weight, capsaicin may be your new best friend. It’s a fat-burning supplement that can help you shed pounds by suppressing your appetite and boosting your metabolism. Capsaicin is present in chili peppers, which are used to make hot sauces, like Tabasco or Sriracha.
3. Capsaicin May Help You Fight Diabetes
Capsaicin is a compound found in chili peppers that gives them their heat. It may also have some health benefits, including reducing blood sugar and insulin resistance.
This is due to capsaicin’s ability to activate TRPV1 channels on nerve cells in your mouth and body, which then send signals to the pancreas to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar levels by helping move glucose into cells.
4. Capsaicin May Help You Fight Cancer
Capsaicin, a chemical compound found in chili peppers, may help you fight cancer. Cancer is a disease that affects your body’s cells. Capsaicin has been shown to have anti-cancer properties and may help prevent cancer from developing.
Are There Any Dangerous Side Effects To Eating Too Much Spicy Food?
There are a few side effects that come with eating extremely spicy foods. Some people experience the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath can accompany coughing and wheezing. These symptoms usually go away once the person stops eating the food.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain may also occur because of consuming too much capsaicin. If you felt any of these symptoms after eating spicy food, then it is best to seek medical attention immediately.
- Redness in your eyes or blurred vision could also be an indicator that you’ve eaten too many capsaicin-containing foods.
How Many Calories Are In Pure Capsaicin?
You may be wondering how many calories pure capsaicin has. While this is a reasonable question, the answer is zero. Pure capsaicin is a non-caloric, non-nutritive food ingredient that is not intended to be eaten on its own.
What Is Hotter Than Pure Capsaicin?
Resiniferatoxin, a chemical produced by the cactus-like plant Euphorbia resinifera, is currently considered to be the hottest chemical in existence and is 1,000 times hotter than pure capsaicin. This compound has been measured at 16 billion Scoville units or 16 terajoules per kilogram (160 megajoules/kg).
Can You Get Pure Capsaicin?
You can get pure capsaicin, but it’s not recommended.
You won’t find pure capsaicin on grocery store shelves, so if you’re thinking about buying some to cook with at home…don’t. It’s actually not considered safe to eat pure capsaicin because it can cause cardiac arrhythmia and even death if consumed in high doses.
That said, there are some recipes online that do include instructions for making your own hot sauce using pure capsaicin as the main ingredient. So if you decide that this is something you want to try, make sure you have a first aid kit around just in case anything goes wrong.
Conclusion
Capsaicin is a spicy compound found in chili peppers. It can be used to make foods spicier, but it also has many other uses as well. Capsaicin is commonly used in cooking to add heat to dishes without adding much flavor. It also helps relieve pain by blocking pain signals from reaching your brain. However, pure capsaicin takes one of the top spots on the Scoville scale.
