Can Spicy Foods Lower the Risk of Diabetes?
Hot Foods May Help to Lower Blood Sugar and Obesity
Oct 8, 2009
Some people love the taste of hot and spicy foods. It turns out that adding a little heat to food may not only titillate the taste buds, but could also help reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity.
In a new study published in the journal Obesity, researchers found that chili extract helped to improve the glucose intolerance so commonly seen in those who are obese. Glucose intolerance is a forerunner to the serious metabolic disease diabetes. Could adding a little heat reduce the risk of diabetes in this high risk group of people?
Chili Extract to Reduce Risk of Diabetes: The Study
For this study, a group of obese mice was given a high fat diet for a period of two-and-a-half months, while another group was given the same high fat diet, but supplemented with capsaicin. Capsaicin is the component of red chili peppers that give them their fiery hot taste. The results? Mice that were given supplemental capsaicin showed improvements in glucose tolerance and had lower leptin levels. The capsaicin supplemented mice also showed less evidence of inflammation, 'a condition that can increase the risk of diabetes. Previous studies have shown that capsaicin may help with diabetes prevention by stimulating the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. Capsaicin also appears to stimulate fat breakdown which could help with weight control.
Other Benefits of Capsaicin and Chili Extract
Capsaicin not only reduces the risk of diabetes in animals, it may also stimulate weight loss by its effect on fat oxidation and breakdown. As a topical agent, it's also added to some creams and lotions marketed to relieve muscle and joint pain. In addition, capsaicin is being studied for its ability to stop the growth of some types of cancer cells, particularly prostate cancer.
Risks of Using Capsaicin to Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
Some studies show that eating too many hot peppers over many years may increase the risk of stomach cancer, although this hasn't been conclusively proven - since some studies show a protective effect. Eating hot peppers may also be bad for people with acid reflux disease. When applied to the skin or if it gets into the eyes, it can cause severe pain and irritation.
Chili Extract or Capsaicin to Reduce the Risk of Diabetes: The Bottom Line?
It may be premature to use high doses of capsaicin or chili extract in the form of supplements to reduce the risk of diabetes. Although beneficial effects have been seen in animals, large scale human trials are still pending. Until more is known, why not add some red peppers to recipes? The capsaicin helps to suppress appetite and may boost metabolism slightly. Hopefully, future studies will show that it also helps to reduce the risk of diabetes.
References:
Nutraingredients.com website
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