A real fat burner

Peppers might not be on your diet menu–but maybe they should be. A new study finds that a compound in this spicy veggie can help burn fat and calories.

Now, if you’re chicken-hearted when it comes to chilis, don’t worry–this compound is found in even the mildest of peppers. But while it may not pack a punch on your taste buds, it can turn up the heat on your metabolism.

UCLA researchers gave obese people on low-calorie diets either a placebo, or capsules containing dihydrocapsiate, or DCT. That’s the milder cousin of capsaicin, the compound that gives hot peppers their extra kick.

Those who got the DCT were given either 3 or 9 milligrams, and all three sets of dieters had their metabolic rates measured in the beginning, and four weeks later, after 400- calorie liquid meals.

At the end of four weeks, the researchers found that dieters who were given the 9 milligrams of DCT were burning fat and calories faster. The researchers said their findings translate to 100 extra calories a day for a 110- pound woman, and 200 extra calories for a 200-pound man, according to the study presented at a recent Experimental Biology meeting.

This was a small study of obese people on carefully controlled diets, so it’s hard to say how well this will translate out here in the real world.

But one thing’s for sure–peppers are healthy. In addition to weight loss, previous studies have found that they might help lower the risk of diabetes.

The antioxidants in peppers have also been linked to cardiovascular health, lower inflammation, cancer prevention and good digestion. At least some of those benefits come from hotter peppers, so don’t be afraid to turn up the heat.

But while peppers can work a miracle on a bland dish, don’t expect any miracles on your body. If you’re fat and unhealthy and plan to stay that way, all the jalapenos in Mexico won’t save you.