What Are Capsaicin Supplements, and Do They Aid Weight Loss?

Capsaicin is a compound found in chili peppers that gives them their spicy kick.

The highest concentration occurs in the seeds, making them significantly spicier than the flesh.

When consumed, foods containing this substance stimulate pain receptors in your tongue, causing the sensation of heat that most people experience (1, 2).

Some people are more sensitive to capsaicin than others, which is usually related to how often they eat spicy foods. Your tongue adjusts to the sensation over time (3).

The heat of a given pepper can be measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), which range from 0 to 15 million. For example, jalapeños measure about 2,500–8,000 SHUs, whereas habanero peppers hit 100,000–350,000 SHUs.

Capsaicin supplements are typically derived from cayenne peppers.

These supplements also commonly use SHUs to measure potency. The typical range is 40,000–100,000, though because they’re encapsulated, you don’t experience the same heat as when you eat hot peppers.

Summary

Capsaicin is a compound in hot peppers that causes a burning sensation when consumed. It’s likewise taken as a supplement.

Capsaicin stimulates your senses and is linked to several health benefits.

May aid weight loss

Capsaicin’s most popular benefit is its potential to support weight or fat loss.

Your weight is highly dependent upon your metabolism, which is the process of breaking down what you eat and drink into energy for your body to use in its everyday functions (4, 5).

Capsaicin supplements may boost your metabolism, enabling you to more easily lose weight and burn fat (6, 7, 8).

Capsaicin works by increasing oxygen consumption and body temperature, which leads to a slight increase in calories burned (9).

Studies show that consuming this compound on a regular basis may promote a calorie deficit and aid fat burning. A calorie deficit, which is generally required for weight loss, means that you burn more calories than you consume (7, 10, 11).

In addition, a 12-week study in 80 people with a slightly elevated body mass index (BMI) tied supplementing with 6 mg of capsaicin daily to a reduction in belly fat (12).

Capsaicin also appears to have an appetite-suppressing effect, which may help you cut your calorie intake throughout the day (13).

Keep in mind that capsaicin’s results are likely minimal unless paired with a proper diet and exercise regimen.

May help reduce inflammation

Capsaicin supplements may have anti-inflammatory properties.

Foods that contain high amounts of antioxidants, such as hot peppers, may combat free radicals in your body. Free radicals promote chronic inflammation, which may increase your risk of conditions like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and heart disease (14).

Thus, capsaicin supplements may lower your risk of these ailments.

While fresh peppers boast more antioxidants, the dried supplement form contains a fair amount (15, 16, 17).

Results based on data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Study (NHANES) linked hot pepper intake to a reduced risk of early death. This may be due in part to their high antioxidant content (18).

What’s more, diets high in inflammation-reducing antioxidants have been associated with a lower risk of illnesses, especially heart disease, stroke, and specific cancers (19, 20).

May relieve pain

Capsaicin is sometimes used for pain management. It works by stimulating pain receptors, which in turn reduce your sensitivity to pain (21).

It’s most commonly incorporated into topical pain-relief creams, including Menthacin, Zostrix, and Capzacin-Z (22).

These products are used for joint disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage in people with diabetes that can cause pain (21, 22, 23).

Note that, when applied to your skin, capsaicin may produce burning effects similar to those caused by eating it. Thus, you may want to start with small amounts and pay attention to any adverse reactions.

Summary

Capsaicin supplements may promote weight loss and reduce inflammation. When applied topically, this compound may relieve pain.

While capsaicin supplements are generally recognized as safe, you should take a few precautions.

May cause a burning sensation

One of the most common side effects of capsaicin supplements is a burning effect throughout your digestive tract.

For those with acid reflux or heartburn, capsaicin-containing foods or supplements may increase your symptoms (24, 25).

Over time, your digestive tract becomes desensitized to capsaicin’s effects, reducing the uncomfortable feeling you may experience.

The best way to avoid this side effect is to take the supplement just before a meal, as food serves as a buffer to prevent the burning sensation.

May cause elevated temperature

Capsaicin supplements may raise your body temperature.

Due to this compound’s effect on receptors in your body that regulate heat, ingesting too much capsaicin may give you an uncomfortable feeling of warmth (21, 26, 27).

While this isn’t usually dangerous — and no scientific evidence suggests that it can induce a fever — some individuals may be more susceptible to this sensation than others.

In addition, there’s a chance that capsaicin supplements may increase your blood pressure. Thus, if you’re taking blood pressure medications, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider before taking this supplement (28, 29).

To avoid these side effects, start with a low dose and slowly increase it until you reach your desired amount.

Summary

Capsaicin supplements are generally safe, but you should be aware that they may irritate your digestive tract and raise your body temperature.

Food sources of capsaicin may not provide enough of this compound to yield all of its potential benefits. Thus, people take supplements because they have a higher concentration of capsaicin.

While doses vary, many studies use 2–6 mg of capsaicin per day (12, 30).

The majority of supplements on the market contain cayenne pepper as the main active ingredient, as it tends to be high in capsaicin. Capsules typically provide around 500 mg of cayenne pepper each.

As cayenne pepper contains approximately 2.5 mg of capsaicin per gram, you would need to take two to five 500-mg capsules to obtain 2–6 mg of capsaicin.

Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates supplements differently than medications, dosages aren’t typically standardized. Thus, it’s best to start with a low dose to avoid any potential side effects.

Furthermore, it’s important to purchase capsaicin supplements from a reputable source. Third-party verification from companies like NSF International or USP provide additional safety and quality assurance.

Summary

Studies suggest that 2–6 mg of capsaicin may offer health benefits. Two to five 500-mg cayenne pepper capsules should provide this amount.

Capsaicin, the compound in hot peppers that causes their infamous burning sensation, may offer numerous benefits when taken as a supplement.

Studies indicate that it promotes weight loss, reduces inflammation, and — when applied topically — relieves pain.

You should start with a low dose and talk to your healthcare provider before supplementing to reduce your risk of side effects.