Chiles: Fat-Burning Foods

Learn how to fire-up our metabolism and lose weight faster with spicy chiles...

Researchers at Oxford Polytechnic in England have found that some spicy foods, including chile peppers, boost the body's metabolic rate, which can lead to weight loss. The twelve volunteers in their study ate identical 766-calorie meals. On one day, three grams each of chile powder and mustard were added to their meals; on the next day, nothing was added. On the days that the extra spices were added to their meals, participants burned from four to seventy-six additional calories, with an average of 45 calories burned.

Before we explain why chiles are fat-burning foods, let's start with the basics. Metabolism is defined as the sum of all chemical processes that take place in the body as they relate to the movement of nutrients in the blood after digestion, resulting in growth, energy, release of wastes, and other bodily functions. Metabolism takes place in two steps. The first step is the constructive phase (anabolism), where smaller molecules (amino acids) are converted to larger molecules (proteins). The second step is the destructive phase, (catabolism). Larger molecules (as glycogen) are converted to smaller molecules (as glucose). Exercise, body temperature, hormone activity, and digestion can increase the rate of metabolism.

Here's how it works: spices such as chile peppers help us burn additional calories by triggering a thermodynamic burn that can last up to five hours after eating. This process speeds up the metabolism, and melts calories while preventing new fat from forming. To keep your metabolism running at peak performance, Dr. Bryant Stamford, at the University of Louisville at Kentucky, councils that it is best to put peppers into many small meals throughout the day, instead of sitting down to the traditional three meals a day. "Many small meals with fat-burning foods create the thermic effect," he said, "spurring the body on to burn more calories."

Likewise, we've always wondered if chile peppers assist you in eating less because their burn may inhibit your ability to eat too much. While we didn't find any scientific studies to back that up, we know from experience that it is more difficult to overindulge in a hot and spicy meal which causes the mouth to be slightly uncomfortable, than it is to overeat something more bland like potato chips.

We also know that chile peppers are an incredible replacement for the fat in your diet. Say goodbye to the butter on your baked potato and add some salsa instead. Sauté vegetables and chicken in hot sauce as opposed to oil. Add sparks to your salad with spices. Use your imagination and good chile taste and you'll be sure to reduce by increasing the hot fat-burning foods in your daily meals.

Do fiery foods really melt the pounds away? Although we can't promise you'll lose weight while eating a chile pepper-laced chocolate cake, we believe peppers are a great way to perk up your metabolism, allowing it to run like a Ferrari instead of a Yugo. As always, it is best to follow a common-sense regimen for weight loss: eat less and exercise. However, it certainly can't hurt to fire-up your metabolism with fat-burning foods like chiles, for a little extra after burner effect.