Effects of Capsicum annuum supplementation on the components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has increasingly gained importance as the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes mellitus. Various natural compounds derived from plants are associated with beneficial effects on the incidence and progression of MetS. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Capsicum annuum on factors related to MetS by assessing randomized controlled trials (written in English). We searched the online databases of PubMed, Embase, Google scholar, and Cochrane Library up to April 2020. ‘Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcomes’ format was used to determine whether intervention with C. annuum supplementation compared with placebo supplementation had any effect on the components of MetS among participants. We considered standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) as effect size measures using random-effects model. Analysis of the included 11 studies (n = 609) showed that C. annuum supplementation had significant effect on low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [SMD = − 0.39; 95% CI − 0.72, − 0.07; P = 0.02; prediction interval, − 1.28 to 0.50] and marginally significant effect on body weight [SMD = − 0.19; 95% CI − 0.40, 0.03; P = 0.09]. However, larger and well-designed clinical trials are needed to investigate the effects of C. annuum on MetS.

The effect of red pepper/capsaicin on blood pressure and heart rate: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

“…In addition, the authors revealed that the chronic low‐dose capsaicin treatment reduced BP in hypertensive rats due to TRPV1 activation by capsaicin. In consistent with our results Jang et al in a recent systematic review and meta‐analysis did not observe any significant effects of Capsicum annuum supplementation on DBP and SBP (Jang, Lee, Lee, & Lee, 2020). Another recent systematic review and meta‐analysis reported that supplementation with fermented red pepper paste may play a role in improving SBP and DBP but affects capsinoids, has no significance on SBP and DBP (Amini et al, 2020).…”

Both caffeine and Capsicum annuum fruit powder lower blood glucose levels and increase brown adipose tissue temperature in healthy adult males

“…Metabolic syndrome is characterised by hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity ( McCracken et al, 2018 ). The meta-analysis found C. annuum has a significant effect on LDL-cholesterol and body weight, however the meta-analysis did not show any significant effect of C. annuum on diastolic blood pressure, and systolic blood pressure, and no significant effect on glucose levels but the analysis showed considerable heterogeneity between studies ( Jang et al, 2020 ). Another meta-analysis which has examined energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and respiratory quotient ( Zsiborás et al, 2018 ) showed that following consumption of capsaicin energy expenditure increased (245 kJ/day, 58.56 kcal/day) and the respiratory quotient decreased (by 0.216) indicating a rise in fat oxidation.…”

“…Our results indicate energy expenditure increases, RER lowers, which coincides with fat oxidation increasing following ingestion of C. annuum (capsaicin). A systematic review and meta-analysis ( Jang et al, 2020 ) examined the effects of C. annuum supplementation on components of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterised by hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity ( McCracken et al, 2018 ).…”

The Beneficial Effect of Cinnamon and Red Capsicum Intake on Postprandial Changes in Plasma Metabolites Evoked by a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Men with Overweight/Obesity

“…Moreover, it has been shown that cinnamon extract regulates plasma levels of adipose-derived factors and expression of multiple genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and lipogenesis in fructose-fed rats [ 42 ]. The beneficial effects of both capsicum annum and cinnamon supplementation on the components of metabolic syndrome [ 10 ] and management of diabetes [ 43 ], respectively, have been reviewed recently. As the literature data have indicated the different anti-diabetic/obesity mechanisms of cinnamon and capsicum action [ 10 , 43 ], we decided to combine them into one capsule and test their ability to diminish changes in plasma metabolome evoked by a HC meal in people with OW/OB.…”

“…With some exceptions, these compounds possess anti-obesity/anti-diabetic properties and could be new target compounds for the therapy and prevention of those diseases [ 9 ]. A recent metanalysis reported that capsicum intake significantly promoted satiety, energy expenditure, negative-energy balance, and fat oxidation, and improved glucose metabolism by increasing insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels in prediabetic, diabetic, and gestational diabetic patients [ 10 ]. Moreover, capsicum or its phytocompounds attenuated the weight-gain and increase in LDL-cholesterol following the intake of high-fat/high-carbohydrate diets (HFD/HCD) and improved the plasma markers of glucose/lipid metabolism, obesity related systematic inflammation, and gut epithelial barrier function [ 11 ].…”