Controlling weight is a matter of balancing your caloric intake with energy expenditure. Your basal metabolic rate is the amount of calories you burn through essential life processes. With 68 percent of Americans overweight, the interest in products that may increase metabolism, and thus calorie burn, has risen. Chili pepper or capsaicin has shown some promise as a way to increase metabolism. However, capsaicin may not be appropriate for all individuals. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor prior to taking a dietary supplement.
Capsaicin, the Active Ingredient
Peppers belong to the genus Capsicum. Capsaicin is the active ingredient that gives some peppers their heat factor. It is also the ingredient that has gained interest in the scientific community because of its effects on metabolism and, potentially, obesity. Scientific study has yielded compelling evidence of the role of capsaicin on metabolism, identifying several ways it may help curb your weight. Much of the research has focused on using cayenne pepper as the capsaicin source.
Thermogenesis
Thermogenesis is the process by which the body produces heat. It uses energy and therefore has a profound effect on metabolism. You stimulate thermogenesis when you exercise with the rate increasing with your exercise intensity. You can also manipulate thermogenesis through diet. A 2010 study by Purdue University in Indiana identified specific effects that capsaicin had on thermogenesis and metabolism. Ingestion of capsaicin increased calorie burn and thus core body temperature. Researchers found that it also lowered caloric intake, providing further health benefits.
Biology Behind Chili Peppers
The increase in metabolism may be due to capsaicin's effects on fat burn. A 2010 study by Daegu University in Korea identified specific biological mechanisms in a study using rats. Subject animals fed capsaicin showed 8 percent greater weight loss. Researchers also found that capsaicin may have induced changes in 20 essential fat proteins. They postulated that the changes in proteins caused an increase in fat metabolism. The changes were noted in white fat tissue, the type of fat that provides insulation and energy storage.
Guidelines for Use
Before you start taking chili peppers to speed your metabolism, there are several factors to bear in mind. Their effects vary with the individual. The 2010 Purdue University study found the effects greater in individuals who did not regularly consume spicy foods, suggesting that your body may become desensitized at some point to capsaicin's effects. Taking capsaicin may cause a burning sensation in your mouth or throat. You may also experience stomach pain or upset, warns Drugs.com. If you are taking any prescription medications, consult your doctor before taking chili peppers to avoid harmful drug interactions.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Obesity and Overweight
- What's Cooking America: Linda's Culinary Dictionary - C
- "Physiology and Behavior"; The Effects of Hedonically Acceptable Red Pepper Doses on Thermogenesis and Appetite; Mary-Jon Ludy and Richard D. Mattes; March 2011
- "Journal of Proteome Research"; Proteomic Analysis for Antiobesity Potential of Capsaicin on White Adipose Tissue in Rats Fed with a High Fat Diet; J. Joo, et al.; April 2010
- Drugs; Capsicum; May 4, 2011
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