It’s been suggested that capsaicin-rich foods like cayenne pepper can help with weight loss by increasing the metabolic rate, possibly by stimulating adrenaline release and promoting thermogenesis.[1] However, clinical trials on the topic do not consistently support this hypothesis, with a number of studies finding no effect of consuming capsaicin or chili peppers on daily energy expenditure.[2] Some studies have found that capsaicin-containing supplements increase the number of calories burned after a single meal,[3] but it’s not clear that this one-time increase in calorie burning is maintained over the long term. Furthermore, capsaicin supplementation does not seem to produce meaningful weight loss, suggesting that any effects on the metabolic rate are clinically insignificant.[4]
References
- ^Mikiko Watanabe, Renata Risi, Davide Masi, Alessandra Caputi, Angela Balena, Giovanni Rossini, Dario Tuccinardi, Stefania Mariani, Sabrina Basciani, Silvia Manfrini, Lucio Gnessi, Carla LubranoCurrent Evidence to Propose Different Food Supplements for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive ReviewNutrients.(2020 Sep 20)
- ^Mary-Jon Ludy, George E Moore, Richard D MattesThe effects of capsaicin and capsiate on energy balance: critical review and meta-analyses of studies in humansChem Senses.(2012 Feb)
- ^Rigamonti AE, Casnici C, Marelli O, De Col A, Tamini S, Lucchetti E, Tringali G, De Micheli R, Abbruzzese L, Bortolotti M, Cella SG, Sartorio AAcute administration of capsaicin increases resting energy expenditure in young obese subjects without affecting energy intake, appetite, and circulating levels of orexigenic/anorexigenic peptides.Nutr Res.(2018-Apr)
- ^Zhang W, Zhang Q, Wang L, Zhou Q, Wang P, Qing Y, Sun CThe effects of capsaicin intake on weight loss among overweight and obese subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Br J Nutr.(2023-Nov-14)