Do Capsaicin Pills Work for Weight Loss?

Medically Reviewed on 8/31/2022
Capsaicin Pills for Weight Loss
Capsaicin may aid in the conversion of white fat to brown fat similar to exercise.

Studies suggest that capsaicin pills work for weight loss without the need for reducing calorie intake. Capsaicin is used in traditional medicine for centuries because it provides various health benefits.

What is capsaicin?

Capsaicin is among the various chemicals called capsaicinoids. It is the active element in chili peppers and is responsible for the fiery kick on the tongue when you bite into any type of hot pepper.

  • Capsaicin is considered an irritant to humans and other mammals because it produces a burning sensation when it comes into contact with mucus membranes. 
  • Therefore, the eyes or tongue burns after coming in contact with hot chilis.

Capsaicin in peppers has evolved to protect against fungus and animals. Because it is a naturally occurring compound, the U.S. EPA classifies it as a biochemical pesticide.

How does capsaicin induce weight loss?

Capsaicin is believed to boost your metabolism by roughly eight percent on average. It increases metabolism and promotes weight reduction through thermogenesis (the process of heat production by the body). Hot peppers generate responses such as redness and perspiration through thermogenesis.

Calories must be burnt to boost your core temperature. Those calories are mostly derived from brown fat, also called brown adipose tissue. This sort of fat is used by the body to regulate temperature. White fat, however, accumulates on the waist and thigh. Some studies suggest that capsaicin may aid in the conversion of white fat to brown fat. This conversion of fat occurs when you exercise. Capsaicin could provide similar advantages to exercise.

Capsaicin activates the sympathetic nervous system, which increases the speed of metabolism and heat production. This is accomplished by stimulating your body to produce adrenaline.

How much capsaicin is required for weight loss?

A study discovered that 2.6 mg of capsaicin administered every 36 hours for 144 hours may avoid the plateau effect that many individuals experience when dieting. Capsaicin levels in whole habanero peppers range from 9 to 59 mg per gram depending on the cultivar.

This indicates that you can acquire enough capsaicin with a little more than a third of a gram of some habanero. An average habanero weighs 8.7 grams and according to the study, one habanero is enough for 144 hours.

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3 health benefits of capsaicin

  1. Relieves pain
    • Though the mechanism is still unknown, studies are underway to learn more about its pain-relieving properties. 
    • Provides an analgesic relief in any region of the body through activating the TRPV1 receptor, which causes the brain to produce the neurotransmitter, substance P.
    • Is used in the form of cream to alleviate pain associated with:
    • In recent years, researchers have been experimenting with injecting highly pure capsaicin into the cartilage and tendons that link to a damaged rotator cuff.
    • Though it did not accelerate healing as predicted, it did considerably modify pain responses, making it a viable choice for pain management for this condition.
  2. Reduces the risk of cancer
    • The American Association for Cancer Research suggested that capsaicin and antioxidants in the chili peppers can destroy cancer cells in leukemia and prostate cancer cases.
    • This is primarily due to chili peppers' strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities.
    • In the case of prostate cancer, capsaicin inhibits cell proliferation by causing a depletion of the principal kinds of cancer cell lines.
    • Breast, pancreatic, and bladder cancer have similar effects.
  3. Improves digestion
    • Many people associate spicy meals with heartburn or stomach distress, but spice may have the opposite impact on many people.
    • Cayenne pepper is quite beneficial to digestion. It stimulates the formation of gastric fluids and enzymes in the stomach, which aids in the digestion of meals.
    • Evidence suggests that hot foods, such as cayenne peppers, may increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the stomach.
    • The gut microbiome is essential for optimal immune system function. Capsaicin may aid in the promotion of healthy gut flora.
    • Be cautious while consuming capsaicin and avoid it if your body gets irritated.

Are there any downsides with capsaicin?

Capsaicin pills or peppers are strong in capsaicin and may cause certain negative effects. As an irritant, capsaicin induces a burning feeling in the mouth and stomach, as well as gastrointestinal problems.

The negative effects have been overwhelming for many research study participants, leading to many not taking the prescribed amount. However, due to these adverse effects, many could be unable to reap the benefits of capsaicin.

Some irritation occurs with the use of capsaicin, especially at the beginning. Do not use these pills without consulting your doctor.

Medically Reviewed on 8/31/2022
References
Image Source: ShutterStock image

Capsaicin. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/capgen.html

Dietary capsaicin and its anti-obesity potency: from mechanism to clinical implications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426284/