Cayenne Pepper vs. Paprika
Nutrition comparison of Cayenne Pepper and Paprika
Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?
We compared the nutritional contents of
cayenne pepper
versus
paprika
(100g each)
below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].
For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in cayenne pepper and paprika:
- Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin E, calcium, calories, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, iron, potassium and protein.
- Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin C.
- Paprika has more pantothenic acid, however, cayenne pepper contains more folate.
USDA sources for nutritional information: Cayenne Pepper (Spices, pepper, red or cayenne) and Paprika (Spices, paprika) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.
Calories and Carbs
calories
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in calories. Cayenne pepper has 13% more calories than paprika - cayenne pepper has 318 calories per 100 grams and paprika has 282 calories.
For macronutrient ratios, cayenne pepper is heavier in fat and similar to paprika for protein and carbs. Cayenne pepper has a macronutrient ratio of 11:53:36 and for paprika, 14:55:31 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.
Macro Ratios from Calories:
| Cayenne Pepper | Paprika | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 11% | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 53% | 55% |
| Fat | 36% | 31% |
| Alcohol | ~ | ~ |
carbohydrates
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in carbohydrates. Cayenne pepper has a little more carbohydrates (5%) than paprika by weight - cayenne pepper has 56.6g of total carbs per 100 grams and paprika has 54g of carbohydrates.
dietary fiber
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in dietary fiber. Paprika has 28% more dietary fiber than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 27.2g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and paprika has 34.9g of dietary fiber.
sugar
Cayenne pepper and paprika contain similar amounts of sugar - cayenne pepper has 10.3g of sugar per 100 grams and paprika has 10.3g of sugar.
Protein
protein
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in protein. Paprika has 18% more protein than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 12g of protein per 100 grams and paprika has 14.1g of protein.
Fat
saturated fat
Paprika has 34% less saturated fat than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 3.3g of saturated fat per 100 grams and paprika has 2.1g of saturated fat.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
Cayenne pepper is an excellent source of Vitamin C and it has 83 times more Vitamin C than paprika - cayenne pepper has 76.4mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and paprika has 0.9mg of Vitamin C.
Vitamin A
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in Vitamin A. Paprika has 147% more Vitamin A than - cayenne pepper has 2081ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and paprika has 2463ug of Vitamin A.
Vitamin E
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in Vitamin E. Cayenne pepper is very similar to paprika for Vitamin E - cayenne pepper has 29.8mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and paprika has 29.1mg of Vitamin E.
Vitamin K
Cayenne pepper and paprika contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - cayenne pepper has 80.3ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and paprika has 80.3ug of Vitamin K.
The B Vitamins
Paprika has more pantothenic acid, however, cayenne pepper contains more folate. Both cayenne pepper and paprika contain significant amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and Vitamin B6.
| Cayenne Pepper | Paprika | |
|---|---|---|
| Thiamin | 0.328 MG | 0.33 MG |
| Riboflavin | 0.919 MG | 1.23 MG |
| Niacin | 8.701 MG | 10.06 MG |
| Pantothenic acid | ~ | 2.51 MG |
| Vitamin B6 | 2.45 MG | 2.141 MG |
| Folate | 106 UG | 49 UG |
Minerals
calcium
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in calcium. Paprika has 55% more calcium than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 148mg of calcium per 100 grams and paprika has 229mg of calcium.
iron
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in iron. Paprika has 171% more iron than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 7.8mg of iron per 100 grams and paprika has 21.1mg of iron.
potassium
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in potassium. Paprika has 128% more potassium than - cayenne pepper has 2014mg of potassium per 100 grams and paprika has 2280mg 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, both cayenne pepper and paprika contain significant amounts of beta-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin.
| Cayenne Pepper | Paprika | |
|---|---|---|
| beta-carotene | 21840 UG | 26162 UG |
| lutein + zeaxanthin | 13157 UG | 18944 UG |
| alpha-carotene | ~ | 595 UG |
Omega-3 and Omega-6
omega 3s
For omega-3 fatty acids, both cayenne pepper and paprika contain significant amounts of alpha linoleic acid (ALA).
| Cayenne Pepper | Paprika | |
|---|---|---|
| alpha linoleic acid | 0.66 G | 0.453 G |
| Total | 0.66 G | 0.453 G |
omega 6s
Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, both cayenne pepper and paprika contain significant amounts of linoleic acid.
| Cayenne Pepper | Paprika | |
|---|---|---|
| linoleic acid | 7.71 G | 7.314 G |
| other omega 6 | ~ | 0.047 G |
| Total | 7.71 G | 7.361 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: Cayenne Pepper (Spices, pepper, red or cayenne) and Paprika (Spices, paprika) .
Cayenne Pepper g
()
|
Daily Values (%) |
Paprika g
()
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| KCAL % |
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5% | calories | 5% |
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KCAL % | |
| G % |
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5% | carbohydrates | 5% |
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G % | |
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5% | dietary fiber | 5% |
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| G | 5% | sugar | 5% | G | |||
| G % |
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5% | total fat | 5% |
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G % | |
| 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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| MG % |
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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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| 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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5% | Vitamin B12 | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin E | 5% |
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MG % | |
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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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MG % | |
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5% | chromium | 5% |
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UG % | |
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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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| UG % |
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5% | selenium | 5% |
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UG % | |
| MG % |
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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 cayenne pepper or paprika contain more calories in 100 grams?Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in calories. Cayenne pepper has 10% more calories than paprika - cayenne pepper has 318 calories in 100g and paprika has 282 calories.
Does cayenne pepper or paprika have more carbohydrates?
By weight, both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in carbohydrates. cayenne pepper has a little more carbohydrates ( 10%) than paprika by weight - cayenne pepper has 56.6g of carbs for 100g and paprika has 54g of carbohydrates.
Does cayenne pepper or paprika contain more calcium?
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in calcium. Paprika has 60% more calcium than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 148mg of calcium in 100 grams and paprika has 229mg of calcium.
Does cayenne pepper or paprika contain more iron?
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in iron. Paprika has 170% more iron than cayenne pepper - cayenne pepper has 7.8mg of iron in 100 grams and paprika has 21.1mg of iron.
Does cayenne pepper or paprika contain more potassium?
Both cayenne pepper and paprika are high in potassium. Paprika has 130% more potassium than - cayenne pepper has 2014mg of potassium in 100 grams and paprika has 2280mg of potassium.