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

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

To combat obesity, the best strategy is considered to be achieving energy balance through healthy eating 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 problem.

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, the researchers examined the association between chili consumption frequency, BMI, and obesity prevalence in the general U.S. 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: no chili consumers, occasional chili consumers, and frequent chili consumers.

Participants' height and weight data were used to calculate BMI, where a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more was considered obese. The final analysis took into account various sociodemographic 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 chili consumers and frequent chili consumers, respectively. Among the obesity risk factors, 44.6%, 69.7%, 36.3% and 12.5% of the 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, a significant positive association was found 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. Specifically, individuals who consumed chili most frequently had an average BMI that was 0.71 units higher than those who did not consume chili. Fully adjusted analysis also showed that participants with the highest chili consumption had a 55% higher risk of obesity compared to non-consumers.

Frequent consumption of chilli 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 is important to note that chilli 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 causal relationship between the frequency of chili consumption and the risk of obesity. In addition, the survey data did not include information on the types of chili peppers, their spiciness, or the amount consumed, so the associations of these factors with BMI and obesity were not examined.

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