Sunday, December 5, 2010
Can a Chili Pepper Extract Help You Burn Calories?
New research suggests that dihydrocapsiate--a substance found in chili peppers--can't live up to its claims as a natural weight-loss aid. A chemical similar to capsaicin, dihydrocapsiate failed to promote calorie-burning in a recent study [link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20826626] of 78 healthy men.
Once a day for a month, the study participants took 3 mg of dihydrocapsiate, 9 mg of dihydrocapsiate, or a placebo. Study results showed that those taking dihydrocapsiate only burned 50 more calories per day, an amount unlikely to spur significant weight loss.
To date, few dietary supplements have proven safe and effective in promoting weight loss. If you're looking to shed pounds, it's important to follow a balanced diet (including a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean protein), get at least two and a half hours of moderate aerobic exercise each week, and perform strength-training exercises at least twice weekly. Some studies show that alternative therapies like yoga, acupuncture, and tai chi may support your weight-loss efforts; however, none of these approaches can promote weight loss on its own.
View the original article here
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