Can eating chili peppers increase obesity risk?

Chili peppers are spicy and flavorful peppers used in many cuisines around the world. They belong to the genus Capsicum, which includes bell peppers, jalapenos, and habaneros, reports MedicalNewsToday.

Research highlights capsaicin, the main bioactive compound in chili peppers, for its promising health benefits, particularly for cardiometabolic health.

Evidence suggests it has the potential to help manage obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

However, several large-scale observational studies, including a comprehensive cross-sectional study conducted in rural China, have revealed a significant association between the frequency of spicy food intake and overall obesity.

This raises the question: does consuming chili peppers decrease or increase obesity risk?

To explore this, a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition examined the association between chili pepper intake and obesity risk in Americans.

The new study found that frequent chili pepper consumption was linked to a higher body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk, especially in females and adults over 60.

The researchers also found that about 30% of people who rarely ate chili peppers had obesity, compared to roughly 35% of occasional chili eaters and nearly 38% of frequent chili consumers.

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