Seasoning meals with ground hot pepper can reduce appetite and aid in weight loss, according to Physiology & Behavior.
According to the research of the team of prof. Richard Mattes from Purdue University (USA), small amounts of paprika are effective in reducing appetite – especially for people who are not used to this spicy spice.
Professor Mattes believes that by combining many small steps – such as adding paprika to a dish – with a healthy diet and exercise – it will be possible to stem the growing obesity epidemic.
Previous research has shown that capsaicin, which gives peppers their pungent flavor, can reduce hunger and burn calories faster. However, the doses of paprika used far exceeded the endurance of the average American.
Mattes’ research looked at dried, ground Cayenne peppers in more reasonable amounts – around 1 gram or half a teaspoon.
25 people who were not overweight participated in the ongoing study – 13 of them liked spicy food and 12 did not. People unaccustomed to paprika preferred to settle for 0,3 grams of the spice, while connoisseurs needed 1,8 grams.
As observed, under the influence of paprika, the body temperature increased and the metabolism accelerated, and in the case of people who had not used paprika before, the appetite decreased – especially for fatty, salty and sweet dishes.
According to the researchers, the unusual stimulus is powerful and may lose its effectiveness as you get used to it. Taking this fact into account, you can arrange a maximum effective diet with the addition of paprika. Do not use paprika in capsules because the taste maximizes its effect on the appetite.