Evidence supporting the use of: Capsicum
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Capsicum (commonly known as chili pepper) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems—including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and folk medicine—for various digestive complaints, including gas and bloating. The main active component, capsaicin, is believed to stimulate digestive secretions and promote peristalsis (gut motility), which can theoretically help reduce symptoms of gas and bloating. In traditional herbal practice, small amounts of capsicum are sometimes added to herbal formulations to “warm” the digestive tract and improve the breakdown of food.

However, scientific evidence supporting the use of capsicum specifically for gas and bloating is limited. Some studies have shown that capsaicin can influence gut motility and affect visceral sensitivity, but most clinical research has focused on its effects in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, or as a topical analgesic, not specifically on bloating or flatulence. While capsaicin’s ability to stimulate gastric secretions and motility might theoretically reduce gas, there is also evidence that it can irritate the gut lining and even worsen symptoms in sensitive individuals. Overall, its use for gas and bloating is primarily supported by traditional knowledge, with only modest indirect scientific evidence.

In summary, capsicum’s use for gas and bloating is rooted in tradition, with a low to moderate level of supporting evidence and a need for more targeted clinical research to validate its efficacy for these specific digestive complaints.

More about capsicum
More about Gas and Bloating

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