When red chili peppers come to mind, people often think of how they’re used to enhance food with their fun, flavorful, and spicy qualities. For some brave and daring individuals, the spiciest red chili peppers offer an opportunity for heat-seeking pepper enthusiasts to push their taste buds to the limit. Although they’re best known for their varying degree of spicy, “hot” properties, red chili peppers carry a surprising array of health benefits. Recent studies have unlocked the hidden potential of red chili peppers, also known as Capsicum annuum. Through the power of science, OmniActive has harnessed the health benefits of these naturally occurring, heat-inducing compounds within Capsicum annum to bring you Capsimax—a concentrated extract that helps increase metabolism and supports weight management.
What is Capsicum Annuum?
The botanical family Soanaceae contains the plant genus Capsicum, which includes a species of chili and bell peppers known as Capsicum annuum. These peppers cover many varieties, from sweet to very spicy. With the genus Capsicum being native to the Americas, peppers of the hot variety were known as “chili” peppers by the Aztecs and “red peppers” in the Old World. Today, they are grown all over the world.
When discussing capsicum vs. bell peppers, there is an important distinction between them. Although bell peppers belong to the capsicum family, they lack the presence of capsaicin—the chemical that provides the spicy kick. Capsaicin was first isolated in 1846. Recently, research has discovered that a whole group of compounds contributes to the hot sensation of chili peppers. Collectively, these compounds are known as capsaicinoids. They fall into a class called alkaloids and include capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, and homodihydrocapsaicin. The first three of these account for 90% or more of the capsaicinoid concentration in the chili and cayenne pepper varieties.
Health Benefits of Capsicum Annuum
Capsaicinoid compounds have been shown to support metabolic rate and thermogenesis. Thanks to the high concentration of these compounds in red chili peppers, Capsicum annuum can offer health benefits to support athletes in achieving their goals. It can also support consumers with weight management. Here are three key benefits:
May Boost Metabolism
The heat sensation that many people experience in the taste of red chili peppers is also relevant to the overall heat of the body. The capsaicinoids in Capsicum annuum are associated with thermogenic activity. Thermogenesis is the generation of heat in the body. To generate energy and support our daily functions, our bodies “burn” calories. The burn level determines our body’s metabolic rate, which is our metabolism. Our resting metabolic rate is the state of our metabolism when we are not exercising or eating. During this phase, 60-70% of our calories are burned daily. Supplementing with Capsicum annuum helps support metabolic rate. Burning stored energy, even at rest, can assist people with weight management.
In a single-blind, placebo-controlled 2021 study, researchers administered either 100 mg of Capsimax or a placebo to 40 healthy subjects. Measuring resting energy expenditure (REE), more commonly known as metabolism, researchers discovered that Capsimax significantly increased REE for up to three hours, with an 8% increase in calories burned over baseline and a 6% increase in calories burned over the placebo.
May Stimulate Fat Stores
Fat stored in the body is energy waiting to be released. When the body receives a surplus of unused, unburned calories, they become stored for later use. As more and more unneeded calories accumulate, body weight increases. The body releases energy-rich free fatty acids when stored energy is needed. Capsicum may help to mobilize the release of fat stores to burn them during exercise. In a 2010 study with 20 subjects, half were given a low dose of Capsimax and the rest a placebo with a one-week wash-out period, where the subjects didn’t take either Capsimax or the placebo. The subjects’ blood was tested after fasting, and the Capsimax group showed a much higher level of free fatty acids in the blood.
May Curb Appetite
Both healthy eating and regular physical activity are integral components of a balanced lifestyle that supports weight management and overall well-being. A combination of nutritive eating habits and consistent exercise is generally recommended for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Capsimax has been shown to help curb appetite and the desire to snack, giving consumers additional support for weight management. In an open-label 2016 study, 152 healthy subjects were administered 100 mg of Capsimax for seven days. Capsimax effectively reduced the subjects’ appetite and desire to snack. It also increased their desire to exercise intensely.
OmniActive’s Capsimax
Capsimax is stimulant-free and safe, without ingredients that may affect heart rate, blood pressure, or catecholamines. OmniActive’s innovative Omnibead technology was developed to improve absorption and reduce potential gastrointestinal discomfort associated with the supplementation of capsaicinoids. Capsimax can be incorporated into capsules, tablets, and powdered beverages. Contact us to start formulating today.