Eating to Lose Weight? Sprinkle on Red Pepper Flakes
Wouldn't it be great if you could just sprinkle something on your food to help you lose weight? Research suggests these fiery flakes might fit the bill: crushed red pepper.
A small batch of studies has shown that a key ingredient in hot peppers -- capsaicin -- may help curb appetite and hinder the storage of fat.
Slim and Spicy
If you're serious about losing weight, red pepper flakes alone aren't going to move the dial much. But they could be a useful addition to a legitimate weight loss plan. Researchers in one study concluded that capsaicin may boost sympathetic nervous system activity in a way that dampens hunger and calorie intake later in the day. And related research found that capsiate -- a capsaicin-like compound from sweet peppers -- hindered fat storage and boosted weight loss. (Take a bite out of your belly fat with this interactive tool.)
Fiery-Hot Weight Loss
Besides possibly helping you lose more weight, adding heat to low-calorie meals will boost flavor and interest as well -- whether you choose capsaicin-rich cayenne pepper, diced jalapenos, or any variety of hot chili peppers. Try a few of these pungent pepper recipes from EatingWell:
- Hearty, spicy, and low fat. Everyone wins with Three-Bean Chili.
- Light, aromatic, Asian inspired. Treat yourself to Coconut-Crusted Tofu with Peach-Lemongrass Salsa.
- Cheesy, gooey, hot. Give your toasted cheese some zip with Hot Chile Grilled Cheese.
Turn body fat into energy with this nutrient recommended by the YOU Docs.
RealAge Benefit:
Maintaining a constant desirable weight can make your RealAge 6 years younger.
Effects of red pepper on appetite and energy intake. Yoshioka, M. et al., British Journal of Nutrition. 1999 Aug;82(2):115-123.
Effects of CH-19 sweet, a non-pungent cultivar of red pepper, in decreasing the body weight and suppressing body fat accumulation by sympathetic nerve activation in humans. Kawabata, F. et al., Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 2006 Dec;70(12):2824-2835.
