A study suggests that adding a dash of heat to your meals may have a surprising benefit

Could eating spicy foods be the key to shedding those extra pounds? According to a recent study published in the journal Food Quality and Preference, the answer may be yes. Researchers found that when people eat spicy food, they tend to eat less and their metabolism increases, potentially leading to weight loss.

The study, led by Dr. Paige Cunningham of Pennsylvania State University, discovered that when the perceived spiciness of a meal increases, people tend to eat more slowly and consume less food. This is because the compound capsaicin, found in chili peppers, triggers a response in the body that increases metabolism and burns calories faster.

“We found that capsaicin helps increase your core temperature, increase metabolism and helps burn calories faster,” said Haley Robinson, a clinical dietician at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. “Research has shown that it could increase your metabolism by up to 5 percent.”

But it’s not just about the calories burned – eating spicy food may also affect hunger. “There’s some research that capsaicin acts on the hypothalamus – the part of the brain that controls hunger and fullness,” said Patricia Bridget Lane, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic.

While the benefits of eating spicy food are promising, it’s essential to note that moderation is key. “Chili peppers are often consumed with high-fat, high-calorie foods, meaning that more frequent chili pepper consumption is tied to more frequent high-calorie food consumption,” said Dr. Thomas Holland, a physician-scientist at Rush University.

In fact, researchers at Harvard have found that people who regularly eat chili peppers may lower their risk of dying from heart disease, and those who eat spicy food nearly daily have a 14 percent lower risk of death than those who do so just once a week. However, it’s essential to be mindful of how much you consume and balance it with a healthy diet.

So, the next time you’re tempted to add a dash of heat to your meal, remember that it may have more benefits than you think – but don’t overdo it. Here are some tips to incorporate spicy food into your diet in a healthy way:

Start with small amounts of chili peppers or spicy condiments and gradually increase the heat level to your taste.

Balance spicy food with nutrient-rich meals and snacks to avoid over-consumption of calories.

Choose spicy foods that are low in added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Experiment with different types of spicy foods, such as hot sauces, salsas, and curries, to add variety to your diet.

By incorporating spicy food into your diet in moderation, you may find that it helps you eat less, burn more calories, and even lower your risk of certain diseases. So, go ahead and add some heat to your meals – your taste buds and your body may thank you!