Capsaicin in chili peppers may help prevent weight gain

According to a research team at the University of Wyoming, USA, capsaicin - a main ingredient in chili peppers - has the ability to boost metabolism. A diet supplemented with capsaicin may not require calorie restriction.

Capsaicin - a main ingredient in chili peppers - has the ability to promote metabolism. (Source: AFP)

The researchers say the substance works by converting harmful white fat into brown fat. The research was presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, held in Baltimore, Maryland, USA from February 7-11.

"In our bodies, white fat cells store energy, while brown fat cells act as thermogenic factories, burning stored fat," said study author Vivek Krishnan, a graduate student at the University of Washington.

Krishnan said capsaicin has the ability to maximize brown fat, which helps prevent the risk of weight gain when the body consumes high-fat foods. Brown fat has the ability to burn fat even when people do not exercise.

Several other studies have shown that white and brown fat can convert into each other, often due to changes in temperature. Krishnan's research shows that capsaicin helps white fat convert to brown fat.

After experimenting on mice fed a high-fat diet with a small amount (0.01%) of capsaicin, Krishnan and his team found that the mice did not gain weight, because they had a faster metabolism.

All experimental mice responded similarly, except for mice lacking the TrpV1 receptor gene for capsaicin and vanilloid.

The team is continuing to work on developing a natural diet using capsaicin to combat obesity. The team members are optimistic that clinical trials will begin soon. The team has filed a patent for the method of delivering capsaicin into the body they have developed./.

According to Vietnam+