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Capsaicin

The exact molecule found in hot peppers that burns your face off, acts via adrenaline receptors and TRPV1 (like Evodia) to increase heat quickly. Can burn body fat with minimal potency, fight inflammation with decent potency, and prevent cancer with indeterminate potency.

Our evidence-based analysis on capsaicin features 108 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Capsaicin has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-c
Blood glucose
Minor - See study
A possible reduction in blood glucose may occur secondary to pancreatic stimulation with high doses of capsaicin
grade-c
Insulin
Minor - See study
High doses of capsaicin may induce insulin release from the pancreas
grade-c
Blood Pressure
- - See study
grade-c
Fat Oxidation
- - See study
grade-c
Food Intake
- - See study
grade-c
Heart Rate
- - See 2 studies
grade-c
VO₂max
- - See study

Studies Excluded from Consideration

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Other Functions:

Also Known As

Chili extract, Hot pepper extract, trans-8-methyl-N-Vanilyl-6-nonenamide, Capsaicinoids

Do Not Confuse With

Piperine (Black Pepper extract)

Caution Notice

Known to interact with enzymes of drug metabolism

  • Although technically a CYP3A4 inhibitor, it appears chronic ingestion causes an upregulation (increase) in CYP3A4 related activity

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This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 108 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Capsaicin.

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