Does eating hot chili peppers reduce or increase the risk of obesity?

In a recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers examined the association between frequency of chili pepper consumption and risk of obesity.

To combat obesity, the best strategy is to achieve energy balance through a healthy diet and physical activity.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic condition defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or more. With its increasing prevalence worldwide, obesity has become a major public health concern.

Obesity is associated with a variety of health complications, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, kidney and liver disease, and some types of cancer.

In the current study, researchers examined the association between frequency of chili consumption, BMI, and obesity prevalence in the general US population. Data were obtained from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which collects demographic, health, and nutritional information among various age groups and ethnic categories in the United States.

Data from 6,138 participants were analyzed. Information on the frequency of chili consumption was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were divided into three groups: non-chili drinkers, occasional chilli eaters and frequent chilli eaters.

Participants' height and weight data were used to calculate BMI, with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more considered obese. The final analysis took into account various socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics of the participants.

According to the questionnaire responses, 16.8%, 74% and 9.2% of the total participants were divided into non-chili consumers, occasional chilli consumers and frequent chilli consumers, respectively. Among risk factors for obesity, 44.6%, 69.7%, 36.3% and 12.5% of study participants reported current smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension and diabetes, respectively.

Comparative analysis revealed no significant differences in BMI between the three chili consumption groups. However, there was a significant positive association between the frequency of chili consumption and the prevalence of obesity.

Analysis adjusted for all covariates showed that participants in the frequent chili consumption group had significantly higher BMI values than participants in the other groups. More specifically, individuals who consumed chili most frequently had a mean BMI that was 0.71 units higher than those who did not consume chili. The fully adjusted analysis also found that participants with the highest chili consumption had a 55% higher risk of developing obesity compared to non-consumers.

Frequent chili consumption was associated with a significant increase in BMI and risk of obesity in adults, especially in women. These findings are consistent with several large-scale observational studies previously conducted in Asian countries. It's important to note that chili is often consumed with high-calorie foods, which is part of unhealthy dietary habits that contribute to weight gain.

Due to the cross-sectional design of the study, the researchers were unable to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the frequency of chili consumption and the risk of obesity. Additionally, the survey data did not include information on the types of chili peppers, their spiciness, and the amount consumed, so the associations of these factors with BMI and obesity were not examined.

Overall, the study suggests that limiting chili consumption may reduce the risk of weight gain and obesity.