Red Hot Chilli Peppers

No, not the band, the condiment for food. And please don’t start singing… “♪♪ I’m hot…too hot for this blog; so hot for this size…HOT!♪ LOL

Seriously though, it seems like my brothers and sisters from western Nigeria are on to something revolutionary as regards weight loss. Maybe that’s why so many of them are so HOT (giggle). I heard about this a while ago, and it’s been like an urban legend for a while, but I recently came across research that points to the weight loss benefits of HOT PEPPERS. Yes, you heard me right…HOT PEPPERS.

A recent article on www.naturalnews.com by a Sandeep Godiyal says that the natural compound in hot peppers called capsaicin works in so many different ways that can guarantee faster shedding of fat without compromising safety. But more credibly, the biggest impact is in curbing weight regain.

Personally I do not like peppers as a rule – the best you can get me to eat is black pepper (which isn’t so hot by Nigerian standards), but after reading what I will share with you below, I think I might be convinced to move over to the hot side…

So now to the brass tacks, below are 10 benefits of capsaicin (the compound in hot peppers) for healthier weight loss. As you read this, when you see 'capsaicin' just think 'hot peppers'.

Capsaicin boosts metabolism

Some of the properties of Capsaicin can help stimulate energy releasing by consuming 3% more calories (they are calorie gobbling beasts), especially when taken before exercising. Also, due to faster fat metabolism, your body will guzzle more calories even while at resting state, like while sleeping.

For me this means that no matter when I eat my hot peppers, I get the benefits all day long.

Capsaicin improves effective digestion

Hot pepper has been used for hundreds of years to help in indigestion and gastrointestinal irregularities. In food it stimulates the production of digestive enzymes and makes nutrient absorption more efficient.

When I read this I hear: “without peppers I absorb like 65% (I’m pulling a number out of my hat here) of my meals total nutrient content, but with peppers I’m getting out like 80%”.

 

Capsaicin effectively suppresses the appetite

Capsaicin drastically affects the production of the thyroid hormone that controls adrenaline and dopamine - hormones that regulate appetite. By adding hot peppers to every meal, you are cutting your appetite by more than half, just enough for you to eat healthily but not overeat.

 

With the food burning a hole in my mouth, I am guaranteed not to overeat, so this makes sense to me. LOL Seriously though, let’s not knock it till we’ve tried it.

Capsaicin cuts off binging habit

Spicy flavor in peppers naturally make eating less enjoyable because of their numbing effect to the tongue. While hotness works great in small quantities, not many people can eat spicy foods in large amounts.

Ditto! My feelings exactly

Capsaicin increases energy and alertness

Capsaicin triggers thermogenesis; thermogenesis is the process of heat production by an organism (you); when your body is undergoing thermogenesis (either via exercise or diet) you are actually increasing your energy expenditure and fat oxidation. In addition, animal testing observed increased energy and alertness levels on test subjects also due to capsaicin's thermogenic effect.

I’m thinking exchange your morning cup of coffee for a peppery breakfast (like an omelet with fresh peppers) and still enjoy alertness and increased energy for your daily routine.

Capsaicin improves stamina

Then our ‘oh so helpful researchers’ have also submitted that taking capsaicin-rich foods helps in lasting longer during heavy workouts and aids in faster recovery after every strenuous physical activity. This is possible by increasing the body's oxygen intake by up to 7.5 percent, making the lungs stronger and oxygen absorption by the blood higher.

Could this possibly be why the manual laborers who work on building sites seem to go on forever (almost) day after day? The live on pepper rich meals the food vendors provide. Fascinating!

Capsaicin regulates carbohydrate processing

In a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, it was concluded that capsaicin can control carbohydrate breakdown for more efficient calorie consumption and energy production. It is for this reason that further clinical studies are being conducted toward capsaicin's possible treating function against obesity. (I copied this verbatim from Sandeep Godiyal’s article).

In a country where most of our staples are starch/carb based foods, I think this will switch on a few light bulbs. So to my friends who are so committed to carbs and starchy staples, you seem to have an out here by upping the heat in your meals. But can your mouth take all that fire?

Capsaicin improves fat oxidation

A friend was once told that she had an accumulation of fat in her liver. I wish I had known about this then…I would have dosed her with peppers! (just kidding…kind of)

Researchers are saying that sufficient amounts of capsaicin can stop the accumulation of fat in the liver by increasing the rate of breaking down lipids and converting them to energy. Then when you burn the energy, you drop a few pounds. Now, that’s a double whammy – two for the price of one.

Capsaicin supplies vitamins

Peppers are not just spicy and scorching, they are also a rich source of vitamins A and C that can help you fight diseases and strengthen your immune system. These vitamins also work as very potent antioxidants that can fight the signs of aging.

Capsaicin can protect the cells from damages & cancer

A piece of hot pepper contains an overwhelming amount of phytochemicals (carotenoids & flavonoids) - two powerful antioxidants that show fighting properties against free radicals, the main causes of cancer.

Enough said…bring on the peppers.

Anyway, after reading the research and writing this blog post, I took myself off to have some ‘ofada sauce’ for lunch; initially it was quite painful, but I [almost] got used to the heat as I forged forward with my chow. Am I more alert? Do I look younger? The jury is still out on that, but 15minutes after my meal, I still feel the burn and hope that’s sign that my metabolism is revving up (check out an okay recipe for this spicy sauce here http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/stews/ofada-stew.html).

But if I am going to have to up my pepper intake, I think I will need your help. I cannot very well eat peppersoup or 'ofada sauce' each and every day now can I? What peppery/spicy recipe do you have to share? Please drop a comment (below) and share with everyone let’s all learn from you.

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