In theory, you may experience a small metabolic boost. Although there's also the theory that the flavor itself can helps reduce appetite (in which case bypassing the tastebuds could reduce some of the benefit).
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE spicy food, but I have noticed that I'm much less likely to overeat spicy food. When I'm satisfied, the appeal disappears. Even if the food tastes great, I'm less likely to have the urge for "just one more bite," like i do with other foods. To me, itt seems harder to "mindlessly" eat when the food is spicy.
I do use chiles as a food and as a medicine, and I've even seen cayenne capsules in the vitamin aisle at Walmart or Walgreens. I've never bought the capsules, because I do like spicy food.
When I have brochitis or a bad cold, I drink cayenne lemonade (as much as I love spicy food, the cayenne lemonade isn't terribly pleasant, but nothing clears the sinuses faster), so I don't see anything wrong with trying the cayenne capsules or treating pieces of peppers like "pills."
That being said, I'm not sure the benefit justifies the cost and inconvenience. If you like spicy food, it's a win-win experiment, but I don't know that the effects are going to be dramatic enough for you to even be able to tell if it's working for you or not. Even though I love spicy food, I don't lose dramatically better during high-spice weeks.
I do see hot peppers as a tool that can help speed metabolism and control hunger. But of all the tools in my weight loss toolbox, I wouldn't put hot peppers at the top of the list. In fact, it's probably close to the bottom. Barely above drinking water super cold because it "might" burn a few extra calories than at room temperature (but I love my water as cold as possible, so too is no sacrifice. It's just something I'd do anyway).
Last edited by kaplods; 08-15-2010 at 09:39 PM.
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