Can Cayenne Pepper Treat Peptic Ulcers?

The belief that spicy foods cause peptic ulcers is a pervasive myth. The majority of peptic ulcers stem from bacterial infections, according to Dr. George F. Longstreth of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in San Diego. Currently, the treatment for peptic ulcers includes medications that clear out the bacteria and decrease stomach acid. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, shows some promise in healing peptic ulcers. If you have a peptic ulcer, speak to your doctor or health-care provider about cayenne pepper as a potential cure.

Causes

The main cause of peptic ulcers is Helicobacter pylori, or H.pylori, bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic website. These bacteria are passed through food, water and close contact with an infected person. Overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil and Motrin are another common cause of peptic ulcers. Less-common causes include smoking, chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol intake, radiation treatment and emotional stress.

Healing Properties

Capsaicin can promote healing of peptic ulcers, according to recent research. A 2006 review published in the journal “Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition” reported that capsaicin slows the production of acid in the stomach; the spice boosts the production of alkali, which helps to neutralize stomach acid 3.** Capsaicin also stimulates blood flow to the stomach lining and enhances the release of mucus in the stomach, all of which aid in healing.

Capsaicin and H.Pylori

The capsaicin in cayenne pepper also actively combats Helicobacter pylori bacteria. A laboratory study conducted at Harran University School of Medicine in Turkey found that capsaicin demonstrated active anti-bacterial properties against strains of Helicobacter pylori that had developed resistance to the conventional antibiotics clarithromycin and metronidazole. The results of this study were published in 2005 the journal “Annals of Microbiology."

Caveat

An animal study at the Medical University of Pécs in Hungary found that capsaicin can repair damaged stomach lining and protect the colon. The review, published in 1997 in “Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition,” employed some anecdotal cultural evidence to support the use of cayenne pepper to treat peptic ulcers, saying that peptic ulcers occur three times less often in cultures where large amounts of capsaicin are consumed 3. More studies, however, are needed. Seek medical clearance before you use cayenne pepper as a cure for a peptic ulcers.