According to a research study published in the ACS’ monthly Journal of Proteome Research in June 2010, capsaicin found in chili pepper can fight obesity naturally. Discovery of such a fact can provide immense relief to two-thirds of Americans who are over weight.
Obese people believe in popping anti-obesity drugs to keep the complications of this physical disorder at bay. But these drugs are partially effective and are more notorious for their unavoidable side effects.
What Research Has to Say About Capsaicin?
- As a part of the research study, scientists fed experimental rats high fat diets with or wthout this substance in laboratory.
- The rats fed with this natural component lost eight percent of their body weight.
- Nearly 20 proteins associated with fat cells underwent changes in their normal levels which caused breaking down of these cells.
- The exact mechanism of how this substance produces such beneficial effects in the body is yet to be known.
- However, the discovery has opened up new possibilities for the development of natural obesity drugs with capsaicin being the chief component.
What are the Benefits of Chili Pepper Against Obesity?
Laboratory studies suggest that capsaicin fights obesity in the following ways:
- By decreasing the intake of the calorie
- Lowering fat levels in the blood
- Shrinking fat tissues
How Chili Pepper Curbs High Blood Pressure in Obese People?
Though the exact mechanism of how obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure is not known yet, it is believed that accumulation of fat cells in the body alter kidney functioning causing changes in the blood pressure.
In a latest research study, scientists at the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing, China, in August 2010, reported that capsaicin reduces high blood pressure levels too. Results of their findings were published in the August issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication.
Capsaicin is found to activate the channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in the lining of blood vessels. This leads to an increase in production of nitric oxide gas which protects blood vessels from swelling or functioning improperly. However, the recommended daily intake chili pepper is yet to be found out by scientists.
