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Chili pepper vs. Cayenne pepper — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on October 28, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Chili pepper
vs
Cayenne pepper

Summary

Cayenne pepper provides more vitamin A, vitamin B1, fiber, vitamin B3, iron, and zinc.

On the other hand, chili pepper contains more vitamin C and less sodium.

Introduction

This article will show the main differences in the nutrition and health impact of cayenne pepper (1) and chili pepper (2).

Actual differences

Cayenne pepper is chili pepper with a moderate hot flavor. Chili pepper is a variety of pepper from the Capsicum family. Chili pepper is usually hotter than cayenne pepper. They also differ in flavor: cayenne pepper is earthy and spicy, while chili pepper is milder. Chili pepper can have green varieties, while cayenne pepper is only red.

Nutrition

Calories

Cayenne pepper is nearly eight times higher in calories than chili pepper. Cayenne pepper contains 318 calories, while chili pepper provides 40 calories per 100g. Cayenne pepper is considered a high-calorie food, but because people consume it in a tiny amount, calories can be neglected.

Fats

Cayenne pepper has 17.3g of fats per 100g, while the same amount of chili pepper provides less than one gram.

Both cayenne pepper and chili pepper do not provide cholesterol.

Carbs

Cayenne pepper contains 56.6g of carbs per 100g, whereas chili pepper provides only 8.8g of carbs. Once consumed in small amounts, cayenne pepper and chili pepper are not considered foods with high carbohydrate amounts.

Fiber

Cayenne pepper is richer in fiber: 100g contains 27.2g of fiber, while the same amount of chili pepper has only 1.5g of fiber.

Minerals

Cayenne pepper contains more calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and copper.

Chili pepper contains less sodium.

You can check the mineral comparison chart below.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Contains less Sodium -70%
Contains more Calcium +957.1%
Contains more Iron +657.3%
Contains more Magnesium +560.9%
Contains more Phosphorus +581.4%
Contains more Potassium +525.5%
Contains more Zinc +853.8%
Contains more Copper +189.1%
Contains more Manganese +969.5%
Contains more Selenium +1660%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 5% 39% 17% 19% 29% 2% 8% 43% 25% 3%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 45% 293% 109% 126% 178% 4% 68% 125% 261% 48%
Contains less Sodium -70%
Contains more Calcium +957.1%
Contains more Iron +657.3%
Contains more Magnesium +560.9%
Contains more Phosphorus +581.4%
Contains more Potassium +525.5%
Contains more Zinc +853.8%
Contains more Copper +189.1%
Contains more Manganese +969.5%
Contains more Selenium +1660%

Vitamins

Cayenne pepper is significantly higher in vitamins A, E, K, B1, B2, B3, and B6.

Chili pepper is higher in vitamin C. It provides two times more vitamin C than cayenne pepper.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
:
Contains more Vitamin C +88.1%
Contains more Vitamin A +4270.8%
Contains more Vitamin E +4223.2%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +355.6%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +968.6%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +599.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +384.2%
Contains more Folate +360.9%
Contains more Vitamin K +473.6%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 58% 14% 0% 479% 18% 20% 24% 13% 117% 18% 0% 35%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 2497% 597% 0% 255% 82% 213% 164% 0% 566% 80% 0% 201%
Contains more Vitamin C +88.1%
Contains more Vitamin A +4270.8%
Contains more Vitamin E +4223.2%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +355.6%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +968.6%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +599.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +384.2%
Contains more Folate +360.9%
Contains more Vitamin K +473.6%

Health impact

Pain relief

Cayenne pepper and chili pepper contain capsaicinoids, but capsaicin is the most abundant in peppers (3). It binds with pain receptors making them insensitive to any form of pain (4). You should consider that the desensitization effect is not permanent: according to a study, pain receptors were reversed three days after capsaicin consumption stopped (5).

Antioxidants

Both cayenne pepper and chili pepper are rich in antioxidants. These are compounds fighting against oxidative stress, cancer, and inflammation.

Cayenne pepper is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that may have anticancer effects and promote heart health (6) (7).

Chili pepper contains capsanthin - the primary carotenoid in them. It has powerful anti-cancer properties. It also provides ferulic acid, which may help protect against various diseases.

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: October 28, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Chili pepper vs Cayenne pepper infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Water +993.4%
Contains more Protein +542.2%
Contains more Fats +3825%
Contains more Carbs +542.8%
Contains more Other +602.3%
2% 9% 88%
Protein: 1.87 g
Fats: 0.44 g
Carbs: 8.81 g
Water: 88.02 g
Other: 0.86 g
12% 17% 57% 8% 6%
Protein: 12.01 g
Fats: 17.27 g
Carbs: 56.63 g
Water: 8.05 g
Other: 6.04 g
Contains more Water +993.4%
Contains more Protein +542.2%
Contains more Fats +3825%
Contains more Carbs +542.8%
Contains more Other +602.3%

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains less Saturated Fat -98.7%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +11358.3%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +3402.1%
14% 8% 78%
Saturated Fat: 0.042 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.024 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.239 g
23% 19% 58%
Saturated Fat: 3.26 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2.75 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 8.37 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -98.7%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +11358.3%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +3402.1%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Chili pepper Cayenne pepper
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in price ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Rich in minerals ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Chili pepper Cayenne pepper Opinion
Net carbs 7.31g 29.43g Cayenne pepper
Protein 1.87g 12.01g Cayenne pepper
Fats 0.44g 17.27g Cayenne pepper
Carbs 8.81g 56.63g Cayenne pepper
Calories 40kcal 318kcal Cayenne pepper
Sugar 5.3g 10.34g Chili pepper
Fiber 1.5g 27.2g Cayenne pepper
Calcium 14mg 148mg Cayenne pepper
Iron 1.03mg 7.8mg Cayenne pepper
Magnesium 23mg 152mg Cayenne pepper
Phosphorus 43mg 293mg Cayenne pepper
Potassium 322mg 2014mg Cayenne pepper
Sodium 9mg 30mg Chili pepper
Zinc 0.26mg 2.48mg Cayenne pepper
Copper 0.129mg 0.373mg Cayenne pepper
Manganese 0.187mg 2mg Cayenne pepper
Selenium 0.5µg 8.8µg Cayenne pepper
Vitamin A 952IU 41610IU Cayenne pepper
Vitamin A RAE 48µg 2081µg Cayenne pepper
Vitamin E 0.69mg 29.83mg Cayenne pepper
Vitamin C 143.7mg 76.4mg Chili pepper
Vitamin B1 0.072mg 0.328mg Cayenne pepper
Vitamin B2 0.086mg 0.919mg Cayenne pepper
Vitamin B3 1.244mg 8.701mg Cayenne pepper
Vitamin B5 0.201mg Chili pepper
Vitamin B6 0.506mg 2.45mg Cayenne pepper
Folate 23µg 106µg Cayenne pepper
Vitamin K 14µg 80.3µg Cayenne pepper
Tryptophan 0.026mg Chili pepper
Threonine 0.074mg Chili pepper
Isoleucine 0.065mg Chili pepper
Leucine 0.105mg Chili pepper
Lysine 0.089mg Chili pepper
Methionine 0.024mg Chili pepper
Phenylalanine 0.062mg Chili pepper
Valine 0.084mg Chili pepper
Histidine 0.041mg Chili pepper
Saturated Fat 0.042g 3.26g Chili pepper
Monounsaturated Fat 0.024g 2.75g Cayenne pepper
Polyunsaturated fat 0.239g 8.37g Cayenne pepper

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Chili pepper Cayenne pepper
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
66%
Chili pepper
388%
Cayenne pepper
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
18%
Chili pepper
125%
Cayenne pepper

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chili pepper
Chili pepper is lower in Sugar (difference - 5.04g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Chili pepper
Chili pepper contains less Sodium (difference - 21mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Chili pepper
Chili pepper is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 3.218g)
Which food is cheaper?
Chili pepper
Chili pepper is cheaper (difference - $2.1)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is lower in glycemic index (difference - 13)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Chili pepper - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170106/nutrients
  2. Cayenne pepper - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170932/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.