Effect of chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens) ingestion on plasma glucose response and metabolic rate in Thai women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of 5 g fresh chili pepper (CAP) on glucose response after a glucose drink and metabolic rate (MR) in Thai women.


METHODS
The glucose response after a glucose drink was evaluated in 10 healthy women. The plasma glucose levels at 0, 15, 30 and 60 min after glucose load with and without 5 g fresh CAP were compared. Evaluation of MR was performed in an additional 12 subjects. MR was measured by the ventilated-hood indirect calorimetry system before and for 60 min after CAP ingestion.


RESULTS
The rise of plasma glucose at 30 min after CAP ingestion was significantly lower than the rise of plasma glucose after a plain glucose drink by 20.6 per cent (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the CAP ingestion significantly increased MR above resting MR. Moreover, MR immediately increased by 20 per cent within a few minutes after CAP ingestion and showed a remarkable increase of 7.2-17.4 per cent from baseline for 11 min. The significance of thermogenic change was present up to 30 min (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Within 30 min after consumption of 5 g of Capsicum frutescens, plasma glucose level during the absorption period was significantly inhibited. The metabolic rate was also immediately increased after ingestion and sustained up to 30 min.
Chaiyata
Patcharanee
P
Research Center, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Puttadechakum
Supanee
S
Komindr
Surat
S
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002212:Capsicum / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008660:Metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D013785:Thailand
D001786:Blood Glucose