Red Hot Fruit Smoothie

Some people like it hot and I happen to be one of them. If you enjoy spicy and moderately to very hot foods, you’ll undoubtedly like this smoothie.

Why would you want to add cayenne pepper to your smoothie, other than to heat it up?

The health benefits of cayenne pepper are vast and various. First, it’s an anti-inflammatory and inflammation plays a role in almost every health problem. It’s also anti-cancerous, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-allergen, and anti-irritant. Call it the king of anti’s :)

Looking to lose a little weight? Studies have shown that people who consume cayenne pepper for breakfast have less appetite and thus reduces caloric intake throughout the day. Cayenne also boosts metabolism, which helps the body burn excess fat.

A few health problems cayenne helps alleviate include migraine headaches, colds and the flu (decongestant action), joint pain, and toothaches. Your heart is also a fan of cayenne as it helps to normalize blood pressure levels and rid the body of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Last but not least, cayenne is a digestive aid by helping produce saliva, key to proper digestion, and by stimulating and increasing the flow of enzymes and gastric juices in the digestive tract. It also stimulates the circulatory system and can cause you to sweat, both great for detoxification.

Hmm, seems like cayenne could be appropriately classified as a superfood. I actually add cayenne pepper or chili powder to a fair amount of my smoothies and encourage you to play with it and other spices and herbs.

Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper you add based on how hot you like it. Enjoy!

Red Hot Fruit Smoothie Recipe

The Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 avocado (can substitute a banana)
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 tablespoon flax seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon honey (can substitute stevia or maple syrup)

The Add-ons

• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks
• 1 tablespoon maca
• 1 tablespoon cacao powder

Show Time

Toss all of the ingredients into your blender and blend away for around 30-45 seconds or until nice and smooth.

Nutrition Information

• Calories: 283
• Fat: 18g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 10g
• Sugar: 20g
• Vitamin C: 88% RDA
• Vitamin K: 29% RDA
• Calcium: 5% RDA
• Iron: 7% RDA

I’d love to know if you tried and enjoyed this red hot fruit smoothie – please do tell in the comments below. Happy Blending!