Capsicum extract found to boost metabolism with red-hot results

08 Aug 2017 --- An extract from red-hot capsicum peppers boosts metabolic rate, according to a recent paper. The findings show that managing a healthy weight as we age by fighting a slowing metabolism may be aided by the pepper extract Capsimax, an OmniActive Health Technologies product that aims to deliver the beneficial heat of concentrated highly-active, natural capsicum in a controlled-release coating.

The paper, “Capsaicinoids Enhance Metabolic Rate in Normal Healthy Individuals Using a Novel Metabolic Tracker Breezing Device – An Open Label Placebo Controlled Acute Study,” published in the journal Obesity Open Access, discusses the findings of the Metabolic Rate (MR) study showing the extract’s boost of metabolic rate.

Capsimax promises to deliver effective levels of capsaicinoids (the component of hot peppers that gives them heat) without the oral and gastric burning sensation of unprotected red-hot peppers.

“Because capsaicinoids are hot, it was imperative that we use an ingredient which the subjects could tolerate,” says Vijaya Juturu, Ph.D., one of the lead researchers on the MR study.

“Since Capsimax is made using a proprietary beadleting technology, OmniBead, which coats the capsicum extract, releasing it only when it reaches the intestines where it is absorbed without discomfort, we were able to deliver beneficial levels of capsaicinoids to our subjects, which made the MR Study possible.”

The MR Study was a placebo-controlled, crossover open label study with 40 healthy adults examining the effects of either 2mg capsaicinoids from 100mg of Capsimax or placebo on resting energy expenditure, heart rate and blood pressure. Resting energy expenditure is the amount of energy required by the body during resting conditions and accounts up to 60 percent of the calories burned each day. This means that increasing this amount can aid in managing weight.

The study showed that supplementing with this low dose of Capsimax increased metabolic rate, which amounted to an equivalent to burning an extra 116 calories per day. Moreover, though resting energy expenditure varies with each individual, this increase would yield almost 1 pound (0.45kg) of fat lost over 30 days.

“Aging is inevitable, but that doesn't mean we can't be active participants in our weight management as we age,” says Abhijit Bhattacharya, President of OmniActive Health Technologies Ltd., producers of Capsimax. 

“Capsimax is supported by multiple studies with findings showing safety, increased lipolysis and satiety and improved healthy body composition. Now, with the publication of the MR Study, there is yet another demonstrated benefit of Capsimax as a natural, stimulant-free approach to weight management, sports nutrition and a healthy lifestyle as we age,” Bhattacharya adds.