Basil vs. Cayenne Pepper
Nutrition comparison of Basil and Cayenne Pepper
Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?
We compared the nutritional contents of
basil
versus
cayenne pepper
(100g each)
below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].
For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in basil and cayenne pepper:
- Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium.
- Basil has 33.4 times less sugar than cayenne pepper.
- Basil has 78.5 times less saturated fat than cayenne pepper.
- Basil is an excellent source of Vitamin K.
- Cayenne pepper has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and Vitamin B6, however, basil contains more pantothenic acid.
- Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin E, dietary fiber and protein.
USDA sources for nutritional information: Basil (Basil, fresh) and Cayenne Pepper (Spices, pepper, red or cayenne) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.
Calories and Carbs
calories
Cayenne pepper is high in calories and basil has 93% less calories than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 318 calories per 100 grams and basil has 23 calories.
For macronutrient ratios, basil is much heavier in protein, lighter in carbs and lighter in fat compared to cayenne pepper per calorie. Basil has a macronutrient ratio of 44:37:19 and for cayenne pepper, 11:53:36 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.
Macro Ratios from Calories:
| Basil | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 44% | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 37% | 53% |
| Fat | 19% | 36% |
| Alcohol | ~ | ~ |
carbohydrates
Cayenne pepper is high in carbohydrates and basil has 95% less carbohydrates than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 56.6g of total carbs per 100 grams and basil has 2.7g of carbohydrates.
dietary fiber
Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of dietary fiber and it has 16 times more dietary fiber than basil - cayenne pepper has 27.2g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and basil has 1.6g of dietary fiber.
sugar
Basil has 33.4 times less sugar than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 10.3g of sugar per 100 grams and basil has 0.3g of sugar.
Protein
protein
Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of protein and it has 281% more protein than basil - cayenne pepper has 12g of protein per 100 grams and basil has 3.2g of protein.
Fat
saturated fat
Basil has 78.5 times less saturated fat than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 3.3g of saturated fat per 100 grams and basil has 0.04g of saturated fat.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in Vitamin C. Cayenne pepper has 324% more Vitamin C than basil - cayenne pepper has 76.4mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and basil has 18mg of Vitamin C.
Vitamin A
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in Vitamin A. Cayenne pepper has 688% more Vitamin A than basil - cayenne pepper has 2081ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and basil has 264ug of Vitamin A.
Vitamin E
Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin E and it has 36 times more Vitamin E than basil - cayenne pepper has 29.8mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and basil has 0.8mg of Vitamin E.
Vitamin K
Basil is an excellent source of Vitamin K and it has 417% more Vitamin K than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 80.3ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and basil has 414.8ug of Vitamin K.
The B Vitamins
Cayenne pepper has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and Vitamin B6, however, basil contains more pantothenic acid. Both basil and cayenne pepper contain significant amounts of folate.
| Basil | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| Thiamin | 0.034 MG | 0.328 MG |
| Riboflavin | 0.076 MG | 0.919 MG |
| Niacin | 0.902 MG | 8.701 MG |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.209 MG | ~ |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.155 MG | 2.45 MG |
| Folate | 68 UG | 106 UG |
Minerals
calcium
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in calcium. Basil has 20% more calcium than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 148mg of calcium per 100 grams and basil has 177mg of calcium.
iron
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in iron. Cayenne pepper has 146% more iron than basil - cayenne pepper has 7.8mg of iron per 100 grams and basil has 3.2mg of iron.
potassium
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in potassium. Cayenne pepper has 583% more potassium than basil - cayenne pepper has 2014mg of potassium per 100 grams and basil has 295mg 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,
| Basil | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| beta-carotene | 3142 UG | 21840 UG |
| lutein + zeaxanthin | 5650 UG | 13157 UG |
Omega-3 and Omega-6
omega 3s
For omega-3 fatty acids, cayenne pepper has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than basil per 100 grams.
| Basil | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| alpha linoleic acid | 0.316 G | 0.66 G |
| Total | 0.316 G | 0.66 G |
omega 6s
Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, cayenne pepper has more linoleic acid than basil per 100 grams.
| Basil | Cayenne Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| linoleic acid | 0.073 G | 7.71 G |
| Total | 0.073 G | 7.71 G |
Customize your serving size
The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).
You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Basil or Cayenne Pepper .
Note: The specific food items compared are: Basil (Basil, fresh) and Cayenne Pepper (Spices, pepper, red or cayenne) .
Basil g
()
|
Daily Values (%) |
Cayenne Pepper g
()
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCAL % |
|
5% | calories | 5% |
|
KCAL % | |
| G % |
|
5% | carbohydrates | 5% |
|
G % | |
| G % |
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5% | dietary fiber | 5% |
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G % | |
| G | 5% | sugar | 5% | G | |||
| G % |
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5% | total fat | 5% |
|
G % | |
| G % |
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5% | saturated fat | 5% |
|
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 % |
|
5% | sodium | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| 5% | Vitamins and Minerals | 5% | |||||
| UG % |
|
5% | Vitamin A | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | Vitamin C | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| IU % |
|
5% | Vitamin D | 5% |
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IU % | |
| MG % |
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5% | calcium | 5% |
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MG % | |
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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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MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | thiamin (Vit B1) | 5% |
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MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | riboflavin (Vit B2) | 5% |
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MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | niacin (Vit B3) | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | Vitamin B6 | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | pantothenic acid (Vit B5) | 5% |
|
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| UG % |
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5% | folate (Vit B9) | 5% |
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| UG % |
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5% | Vitamin B12 | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin E | 5% |
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MG % | |
| UG % |
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5% | Vitamin K | 5% |
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UG % | |
| G % |
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5% | protein | 5% |
|
G % | |
| UG % |
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5% | biotin (Vit B7) | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | choline | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | chlorine | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
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5% | chromium | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | copper | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
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5% | fluoride | 5% |
|
UG % | |
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5% | iodine | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | manganese | 5% |
|
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| UG % |
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5% | molybdenum | 5% |
|
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5% | phosphorus | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | selenium | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | zinc | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| G | 5% | Water | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Starch | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Alcohol | 5% | G | |||
FAQ
Does cayenne pepper or basil contain more calories in 100 grams?Cayenne pepper is high in calories and basil has 90% less calories than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 318 calories in 100g and basil has 23 calories.
Is cayenne pepper or basil better for protein?
Cayenne pepper is a fantastic source of protein and it has 280% more protein than basil - cayenne pepper has 12g of protein per 100 grams and basil has 3.2g of protein.
Does cayenne pepper or basil have more carbohydrates?
By weight, cayenne pepper is high in carbohydrates and basil has 100% fewer carbohydrates than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 56.6g of carbs for 100g and basil has 2.7g of carbohydrates.
Does cayenne pepper or basil contain more calcium?
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in calcium. Basil has 20% more calcium than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 148mg of calcium in 100 grams and basil has 177mg of calcium.
Does cayenne pepper or basil contain more iron?
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in iron. Cayenne pepper has 150% more iron than basil - cayenne pepper has 7.8mg of iron in 100 grams and basil has 3.2mg of iron.
Does cayenne pepper or basil contain more potassium?
Both cayenne pepper and basil are high in potassium. Cayenne pepper has 580% more potassium than basil - cayenne pepper has 2014mg of potassium in 100 grams and basil has 295mg of potassium.