Capsinoids and red pepper supplementation has no effect on glycemic control, finds study

Capsinoids are a group of chemicals found in chilli peppers, with bioactive properties. It has been reported that capsaicin exhibits hypermetabolism as well as sweating by promoting the secretion of adrenaline and reducing glucose levels. Its role in diabetes, glucose homeostasis, and insulin sensitivity has been investigated by using different animal models.

A systematic meta analysis by Mohammad Reza Amini and team revealed that capsinoids and red pepper supplementation did not have beneficial effects on glucose, insulin, HbA1C and HOMA-IR but significantly reduced glucose in people older than 40 years.

The findings of the study are published in The International Journal of Clinical Practice.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of capsinoids supplementation on glycaemic control.

The study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies, published up to May 2020, searched through PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar. All randomised clinical trials investigating the effect of capsinoids supplementation on glycaemic control were included.

The results of the study were

• A total of 326 citations, eight trials with nine effect sizes that enrolled 530 subjects were included.

• Capsinoids and red pepper resulted in no significant reduction in glucose (Weighted mean differences (WMD): −0.27 mg/dL; 95% CI: −1.9 to 1.37, P = .75), insulin (WMD: −0.09 µU/mL; 95% CI: −1.76 to 1.57, P = .913).

• Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD: 0.52; 95% CI: −0.29 to 1.32, P = .208) and haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) (WMD: 0.01%; 95% CI: −0.04 to 0.05, P = .712).

• Greater effects on glucose were detected in trials performed on both gender, using red pepper, lasted ≥12 weeks, and participants aged >40 years old and recruited greater sample size >50. Insulin and HOMA-IR were reduced by using red pepper.

Amini and team concluded that "Overall, these data suggest that capsinoids and red pepper supplementation did not have beneficial effects on glucose, insulin, HbA1C and HOMA-IR but significantly reduce glucose in people older than 40 years."

Reference: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14803