I was told about this study done at Laval University Canada, it tested the effects of spicy food on the metabolic rate, saying a single spicy meal can increase metabolic rate by up to 25% for as long as 3 hours after the meal.
I got the following from a journal on our university E-resources page when i tried to find out a bit more, however i can’t find the actual study. If anyone can, could they link it. Or if anyone has had any direct experience, i’d like to here from you. This sounds like an old topic to me as i’d heard bits and pieces a few years ago but paid no real attention.
“Study co author Angelo Tremblay, director of the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods at Laval University Canada was quoted saying: Capsaicin, a compound found in jalapeño and cayenne peppers, temporarily stimulates your body to release more stress hormones, such as adrenaline, speeding up your metabolism and thus increasing your ability to burn calories, increasing your RMR.”
Here’s an abstact to a related paper on point with a co-author named “A Tremblay”, though it comes from the Netherlands. Maybe he changed institutions…
J. Physiol Behav. 2006 Aug 30;89(1):85-91. Epub 2006 Mar 30.
Metabolic effects of spices, teas, and caffeine.
Westerterp-Plantenga M, Diepvens K, Joosen AM, Bérubé-Parent S, Tremblay A.
Department of Human Biology, Nutrim, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Consumption of spiced foods or herbal drinks leads to greater thermogenesis and in some cases to greater satiety. In this regard, capsaicin, black pepper, ginger, mixed spices, green tea, black tea and caffeine are relevant examples. These functional ingredients have the potential to produce significant effects on metabolic targets such as satiety, thermogenesis, and fat oxidation. A significant clinical outcome sometimes may appear straightforwardly but also depends too strongly on full compliance of subjects. Nevertheless, thermogenic ingredients may be considered as functional agents that could help in preventing a positive energy balance and obesity.
It might a SMALL bit, same way really cold water is meant to increase the metabalism… but your majoring in the minor details to be honest.
I’ve read recently in an MD or somewhere that the spike isn’t one worth writing home about. I still do it anyways. Paint it black with black pepper and drench it in hot sauce!