Effect of Chili Pepper (Capsicum frutescens) Ingestion on Plasma Glucose Response and Metabolic Rate in Thai Women
PATCHARANEE CHAIYATA, MSc*, SUPANEE PUTTADECHAKUM, DSc*, SURAT KOMINDR, MD**
Affiliation : * Research Center, ** Head of Division of Nutrition and Biochemical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Objectives : To evaluate the effect of 5g fresh chili pepper (CAP) on glucose response after a glucose drink and metabolic rate (MR) in Thai women.
Materials and 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 inges tion.
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 Capsicumfrutescens, 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.
Keywords : Chili Pepper, Capsaicin, Glucose, Metabolic Rate
