Spice up your diet: How chilli peppers boost metabolism and health
Weight loss is a long-term endeavour that necessitates a permanent transformation not only in eating habits but also in one's entire lifestyle. However, there's nothing to stop you from reasonably accelerating the emergence of the desired results. Simply reaching for a few spices from the kitchen shelf that stimulate metabolism can make a difference.
Consider chilli peppers, which impart a distinctive spicy flavour to dishes thanks to capsaicin. Different types of peppers contribute varying levels of spiciness, which is measured on the Scoville scale (SHU). Regular red bell peppers, which are not spicy, have 0 SHU. The spiciness of black pepper ranges from 100 to 500 SHU, but Tabasco pepper measures roughly 50,000 SHU. The extremely hot Carolina Reaper has a rating of about 1.5 million SHU.
How does chilli pepper affect the body?
Hot peppers, along with other spices containing capsaicin derivatives, known as capsaicinoids, not only enhance the taste of dishes, but also stimulate thermogenesis. Such an effect is also observed after consuming black pepper or curcumin. As a result, it feels hot—a natural defensive reaction of the body as it attempts to cool itself down.
This bodily response to capsaicin requires energy, meaning you burn a certain number of calories while consuming it. Regular consumption of dishes with added chilli peppers can influence fat tissue reduction, and some individuals also experience a decrease in appetite. It's important to remember, however, that chilli pepper is not a "miracle cure" for weight loss, but merely supports the process. Therefore, maintaining common sense is crucial.
Studies have shown anti-cancer properties
The properties of chilli peppers draw attention not only from individuals on a weight loss diet but also from doctors and scientists. As early as 2006, results from a study by a team from Nottingham University were published, which showed that capsaicin stimulates cancer cells to self-destruct.
"As these compounds attack the very heart of the tumour cells, we believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental 'Achilles heel' for all cancers," said one of the researchers, Dr Timothy Bates (source: news.bbc.co.uk).
Research on the role of capsaicin in cancer prevention is ongoing, and there is still no conclusive evidence of capsaicin's anti-cancer effects. While chilli pepper may play an important role in prevention, it is not currently able to cure cancer.
Excess capsaicin can be toxic
Chilli pepper, consumed in small quantities, positively affects the body by stimulating metabolism. However, in excess, when the body's cooling process demands too much energy, problems may arise, such as breathing difficulties. Capsaicin can also irritate the stomach's mucous membranes or lead to indigestion.
