Chilli is known for its use in the kitchen, as an ingredient capable of giving a spicy sensation to the foods we cook.
Only recently, however, has it been scientifically proven that chili peppers make you lose weight. The slimming effect is caused in particular by capsaicin, the substance responsible for the spicy sensation we experience when we chew the chili pepper.
But be careful: even if capsaicin is a powerful anti-hunger and fat burner, stocking up on chili peppers for weight loss is not a good idea… let’s see why.
Reduction of appetite
Capsaicin, according to studies, helps you lose weight by increasing your metabolism, reducing appetite and burning fat.
A study conducted in 2009 and published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that capsaicin reduces appetite and, consequently, those who take it ingest fewer calories and therefore lose weight.
Also in the same year, a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that capsaicin decreases a hormone called Grelina (or Grhelina), which is known to cause hunger. The study shows that capsaicin can be a valuable aid in reducing food cravings and decreasing appetite.
Increased metabolism
Metabolism has always been considered a fundamental point for long-term weight loss.
People who have a fast metabolism can eat anything without gaining a kilo, those who have a slow metabolism tend to gain weight even if they try to follow a controlled diet. Most people, when young, have a fast metabolism. With aging, however, the metabolism tends to slow down, for some considerably and it becomes much more difficult to maintain one’s weight-shape.
To combat this trend, capsaicin plays a very important role. Several studies have shown that capsaicin increases metabolism and thermogenesis, a biological process that allows you to burn calories. However, you need to exercise caution when handling certain species of chilli like trinidad scorpion.
A study conducted in 2010, published by the Journal of Proteome Research, showed that capsaicin activates several proteins that dissolve accumulated fat and prevent fat production. This suggests that capsaicin can be a particularly useful substance for weight loss in the belly, a problem that is deeply felt in both women and men of all ages.
Is Capsaicin safe?
In general, it can be said that capsaicin is a safe substance. However, ingesting foods with high capsaicin content can cause inflammation and irritation of the stomach and the entire digestive system. Chili pepper should not be ingested if you are taking anticoagulant medications such as aspirin. The chili is also not recommended for those suffering from ulcers, gastroenteritis and stomach acid. And chilies are not suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
How much hot peppers do you have to eat to lose weight?
Before rushing to the supermarket and filling the trolley with chili, consider that to obtain acceptable slimming effects from capsaicin you should take an extremely high dose, estimated at around 10 grams of chili per day.
Most people are unable to eat so much chili pepper without experiencing nuisances of some kind.
We advise you not to try because even if you managed to ingest 10 grams of chili in one fell swoop, it is not necessarily over … digestion could be difficult and would probably end painfully, with an unbearable burning sensation that you may feel when you go to the bathroom