Icy, cold temperatures and red, scorching chili peppers have little in common however, they both aid in one significant factor –burning fat.
Recent studies conducted by Purdue University in Korea and Hokkaido University in Japan have shown that low temperatures and spicy foods increase activity in fat-burning cells, and as a result help maintain low fat levels in the body.
Danielle Grate, physician assistant at Medical Arts in Reno, Nev., said chili peppers contain an active ingredient called capsaicin, which produces thermogenesis. Thermogenisis uses energy, thereby increasing metabolism and burning fat.
“Cold temperatures can increase thermogenisis as well as chili peppers,” Grate said. “When the body is cold, blood flow increases, as well as shivering, which are just two of the ways we warm-up and produce fat-burning energy.”
However, Grate does not support the excessive use of these to lose weight.
“I do not typically recommend ‘fad’ diets or pills,” Grate said. “I recommend people to check with their personal medical provider because each person is different.”
Although this finding is a new, interesting way for college students to lose weight, they might not want to change their daily eating habits entirely or subject themselves to chilly temperatures.
“I would probably eat a lot more spicy foods if it would make a significant difference,” said Lauren Vogelsang, junior engineering major at California Baptist University.
“However, I would not completely change my overall eating habits,” Vogelsang said.
Chili peppers and cold temperatures are two innovative ways one can use to burn unwanted fat and burn excess calories.
