Black Pepper vs. Cayenne Pepper
Nutrition comparison of Black Pepper and Cayenne Pepper
Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?
We compared the nutritional contents of
black pepper
versus
cayenne pepper
(100g each)
below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].
For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in black pepper and cayenne pepper:
- Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in calcium, calories, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, iron, potassium and protein.
- Black pepper has 15.1 times less sugar than cayenne pepper.
- Black pepper has 57% less saturated fat than cayenne pepper.
- Black pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin K.
- Cayenne pepper has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6 and folate, however, black pepper contains more pantothenic acid.
- Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
USDA sources for nutritional information: Black Pepper (Spices, pepper, black) and Cayenne Pepper (Spices, pepper, red or cayenne) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.
Calories and Carbs
calories
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in calories. Cayenne pepper has 27% more calories than black pepper - black pepper has 251 calories per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 318 calories.
For macronutrient ratios, black pepper is much heavier in carbs, much lighter in fat and similar to cayenne pepper for protein. Black pepper has a macronutrient ratio of 10:78:12 and for cayenne pepper, 11:53:36 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.
Macro Ratios from Calories:
| Black Pepper | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 10% | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 78% | 53% |
| Fat | 12% | 36% |
| Alcohol | ~ | ~ |
carbohydrates
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in carbohydrates. Black pepper has 13% more carbohydrates than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 64g of total carbs per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 56.6g of carbohydrates.
dietary fiber
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in dietary fiber. Cayenne pepper has a little more dietary fiber (8%) than black pepper by weight - black pepper has 25.3g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 27.2g of dietary fiber.
sugar
Black pepper has 15.1 times less sugar than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 0.64g of sugar per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 10.3g of sugar.
Protein
protein
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in protein. Cayenne pepper has 16% more protein than black pepper - black pepper has 10.4g of protein per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 12g of protein.
Fat
saturated fat
Black pepper has 57% less saturated fat than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 1.4g of saturated fat per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 3.3g of saturated fat.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin C and it has more Vitamin C than black pepper - cayenne pepper has 76.4mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and black pepper does not contain significant amounts.
Vitamin A
Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin A and it has 76 times more Vitamin A than black pepper - black pepper has 27ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 2081ug of Vitamin A.
Vitamin E
Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin E and it has 27 times more Vitamin E than black pepper - black pepper has 1mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 29.8mg of Vitamin E.
Vitamin K
Black pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin K and it has 104% more Vitamin K than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 163.7ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 80.3ug of Vitamin K.
The B Vitamins
Cayenne pepper has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6 and folate, however, black pepper contains more pantothenic acid.
| Black Pepper | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| Thiamin | 0.108 MG | 0.328 MG |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 MG | 0.919 MG |
| Niacin | 1.143 MG | 8.701 MG |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.399 MG | ~ |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.291 MG | 2.45 MG |
| Folate | 17 UG | 106 UG |
Minerals
calcium
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in calcium. Black pepper has 199% more calcium than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 443mg of calcium per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 148mg of calcium.
iron
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in iron. Black pepper has 24% more iron than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 9.7mg of iron per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 7.8mg of iron.
potassium
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in potassium. Cayenne pepper has 102% more potassium than - black pepper has 1329mg of potassium per 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 2014mg of potassium.
Antioxidants and Phytonutrients
carotenoids
Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]
For specific types of carotenoids,
| Black Pepper | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| beta-carotene | 310 UG | 21840 UG |
| alpha-carotene | 12 UG | ~ |
| lycopene | 20 UG | ~ |
| lutein + zeaxanthin | 454 UG | 13157 UG |
Omega-3 and Omega-6
omega 3s
For omega-3 fatty acids, cayenne pepper has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than black pepper per 100 grams.
| Black Pepper | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| alpha linoleic acid | 0.152 G | 0.66 G |
| Total | 0.152 G | 0.66 G |
omega 6s
Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, cayenne pepper has more linoleic acid than black pepper per 100 grams.
| Black Pepper | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| linoleic acid | 0.694 G | 7.71 G |
| Total | 0.694 G | 7.71 G |
Customize your serving size
The comparison below is by common portions, e.g. cups, packages. You can also see a more concrete comparison by weight at equal weight (by grams) comparison.
Note: The specific food items compared are: Black Pepper (Spices, pepper, black) and Cayenne Pepper (Spices, pepper, red or cayenne) .
Black Pepper g
()
|
Daily Values (%) |
Cayenne Pepper g
()
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCAL % |
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5% | calories | 5% |
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| G % |
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5% | carbohydrates | 5% |
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5% | dietary fiber | 5% |
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| G | 5% | sugar | 5% | G | |||
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5% | total fat | 5% |
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| G % |
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5% | saturated fat | 5% |
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G % | |
| G | 5% | monounsaturated fat | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | polyunsaturated fat | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | trans fat | 5% | G | |||
| MG | 5% | cholesterol | 5% | MG | |||
| MG % |
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5% | sodium | 5% |
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MG % | |
| 5% | Vitamins and Minerals | 5% | |||||
| UG % |
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5% | Vitamin A | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin C | 5% |
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| IU % |
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5% | Vitamin D | 5% |
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5% | calcium | 5% |
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5% | iron | 5% |
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5% | magnesium | 5% |
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5% | potassium | 5% |
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5% | thiamin (Vit B1) | 5% |
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5% | riboflavin (Vit B2) | 5% |
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| MG % |
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5% | niacin (Vit B3) | 5% |
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| MG % |
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5% | Vitamin B6 | 5% |
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5% | pantothenic acid (Vit B5) | 5% |
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5% | folate (Vit B9) | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin B12 | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin E | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin K | 5% |
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5% | protein | 5% |
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| UG % |
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5% | biotin (Vit B7) | 5% |
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5% | choline | 5% |
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MG % | |
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5% | chlorine | 5% |
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5% | chromium | 5% |
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5% | copper | 5% |
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MG % | |
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5% | fluoride | 5% |
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5% | iodine | 5% |
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5% | manganese | 5% |
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5% | molybdenum | 5% |
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5% | phosphorus | 5% |
|
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5% | selenium | 5% |
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5% | zinc | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| G | 5% | Water | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Starch | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Alcohol | 5% | G | |||
FAQ
Does black pepper or cayenne pepper contain more calories in 100 grams?Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in calories. Cayenne pepper has 30% more calories than black pepper - black pepper has 251 calories in 100g and cayenne pepper has 318 calories.
Does black pepper or cayenne pepper have more carbohydrates?
By weight, both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in carbohydrates. black pepper has 10% more carbohydrates than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 64g of carbs for 100g and cayenne pepper has 56.6g of carbohydrates.
Does black pepper or cayenne pepper contain more calcium?
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in calcium. Black pepper has 200% more calcium than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 443mg of calcium in 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 148mg of calcium.
Does black pepper or cayenne pepper contain more iron?
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in iron. Black pepper has 20% more iron than cayenne pepper - black pepper has 9.7mg of iron in 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 7.8mg of iron.
Does black pepper or cayenne pepper contain more potassium?
Both black pepper and cayenne pepper are high in potassium. Cayenne pepper has 100% more potassium than - black pepper has 1329mg of potassium in 100 grams and cayenne pepper has 2014mg of potassium.