Facts About Hot Peppers and Metabolism

Chile peppers boost metabolism.

Chile peppers offer a number of health benefits. The Peppermania website claims that peppers can lower cholesterol, prevent dangerous blood clots and aid digestion. Peppers also boost metabolism, good news for people trying to lose weight.

What Is Metabolism?

The Mayo Clinic defines metabolism as the body's process for converting food energy into heat energy. The higher the metabolic rate, the more calories the body burns. A heightened metabolism can lead to weight loss.

Capsaicin

According to Bueno Foods, a substance in chile peppers known as capsaicin stimulates the sympathetic nervous system while also reducing appetite for sweets or fats.

Folic Acid

The Peppermania website states that, in addition to capsaicin's metabolic benefits, peppers contain a substance called folic acid, which also boosts metabolism.

Proper Use

To keep the metabolic rate consistently higher, Dr. Bryant Stamford advises consuming small amounts of peppers throughout the day, according to the Peppermania website.

Considerations

While peppers have played a part in folk remedies for hundreds of years, researchers have just begun to unlock the potential medical benefits of this food. Peppers may contain a variety of curative powers other than metabolic support.

References

• Chile Health
• Chile Pepper Factoids
• Weight loss