Curcumin has also been shown to have benefits for brain health. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been found to have neuroprotective properties, meaning it can help protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

To recreate the spice of hot paprika, the best substitute is another dried chilli, like ground cayenne, aleppo pepper powder, crushed red pepper flakes, red chilli powder, or even a dash of hot sauce. If your recipe calls for smokiness and sweetness, try chipotle chilli powder or ancho pepper powder. Chipotle powder has a smoky taste, but is hotter than paprika with a more earthy flavour, lending itself to barbecue sauces, rubs and chillis. Due to the difference in heat, use a ¼ teaspoon of chipotle powder for every teaspoon of paprika and adjust depending on your taste buds.

If you’re looking to replicate the flavour of sweet paprika add a pinch of sugar or some honey. Adding mild chilli powder or tomato powder works too. Bell peppers are another great substitute for sweet paprika and they come from the same Capsicum annuum family. Mild, sweet and aromatic, bell peppers give the same delicious taste and aroma, while adding a splash of colour too. When buying your bell peppers, make sure they’re nice and ripe.

One of the best substitutes for paprika is cayenne pepper. It’s a spicy chilli pepper, used to flavour many different cuisines and quite similar in colour. It’s a lot stronger and hotter than paprika, so if you’re using it as a substitute in your cooking, make sure you use a lesser quantity. If you have a lower tolerance to spicy food, you can add salt, cream, chopped tomatoes or more liquid (water or broth) to try and dial down the heat.

Like paprika, chilli powder packs a lot of flavour and is another worthy substitute. It’s also not as spicy as cayenne pepper, so you can use the same quantities.  The same goes for cajun spices. A combination of black and white pepper, plus other herbs and spices, it can work as a good substitute for smoked or sweet paprika, offering a similar flavour. But you won’t get the same beautiful red colour – more of an orange, warm hue.

You can also use cumin instead of paprika. But it’s a lot hotter, so go easy on the quantities. Like cajun spices, you won’t achieve the gorgeous red colour of paprika, as cumin has more of a yellowy-brown colouring, but you’ll still get an earthy flavour with hints of bitterness and sweetness.

Overall, the spiciness of oleoresin Capsicum can range from mild to extremely hot, depending on the concentration and intended application. It is essential to use oleoresin Capsicum in a responsible manner, taking into account the desired level of spiciness and potential effects on individuals' sensory experiences.

Homemade red chili powder is a popular spice used in cuisines around the world for its bold and fiery flavor. The demand for high-quality red chili powder has led to the growth of a market for homemade red chili powder exporters who specialize in producing and distributing this pungent spice to international markets.

Both paprika and bell pepper are good sources of vitamins and antioxidants. Paprika is particularly high in vitamin A, while bell peppers are high in vitamin C. However, paprika is often consumed in smaller amounts than bell pepper, so the health benefits may be less significant.

Be sure to finely mince your garlic and grate your ginger (keep them separate)

Sweet paprika is made from mild peppers and has a sweet and fruity flavor. It is often used in Mediterranean and Eastern European cuisine, where it is used to flavor stews, soups, and meat dishes. Sweet paprika is also used as a garnish on deviled eggs, potato salads, and other dishes.