Capsaicin, Green Tea May Decrease Appetite

FREDERIKSBERG C, Denmark—Bioactive ingredients, such as capsaicin and green tea, may be helpful in reducing energy intake and might support weight loss periods by relatively sustaining satiety and suppressing hunger, according to a study published in Clinical Nutrition (2009; DOI:10.1016/j.clnu.2009.01.010). A total of 27 subjects were randomized to three weeks of negative and three weeks of positive energy balance during which capsaicin, green tea, CH-19 sweet pepper, capsaicin + green tea or placebo was ingested on 10 separate test days while the effects on appetite, energy intake, body weight and heart rate were assessed.

CH-19 sweet pepper and a combination of capsaicin and green tea reduced energy intake during positive energy balance. Capsaicin and green tea suppressed hunger and increased satiety more during negative than during positive energy balance. Researchers concluded bioactive ingredients had energy intake reducing effects when used in combinations and in positive energy balance. Energy balance did not affect possible treatment induced energy intake, but did affect appetite by supporting negative energy balance.