Capsaicin
Research reviewed: 2007–2019
Capsaicin (8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is a dietary supplement with 14 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,820 participants, researched for Fat Loss & Energy Expenditure, Pain Relief, Cardiovascular Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Fat Loss & Energy Expenditure
StrongPain Relief
ModerateCardiovascular Health
ModerateAppetite Control & Weight Management
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Fat Loss & Energy Expenditure
Quantify capsaicin effect on energy expenditure and fat oxidation
Study Type
Meta-Analysis
Purpose
Quantify capsaicin effect on energy expenditure and fat oxidation
Dose
1–30 mg/day
Participants
560
Duration
2–12 weeks
Results
Capsaicin increased energy expenditure by ~50 kcal/day and fat oxidation by ~10%; consistent across studies
How They Measured It
Pooled RMR, fat oxidation from RCTs
Assess daily capsaicin on energy balance and body weight
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess daily capsaicin on energy balance and body weight
Dose
2.56 mg capsaicin per meal
Participants
25
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Capsaicin reduced total daily energy intake by ~75 kcal; no significant change in RMR; appetite suppression dominant
How They Measured It
7-day energy intake, RMR, body weight
Evaluate capsaicin on fat oxidation during exercise
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate capsaicin on fat oxidation during exercise
Dose
10 mg capsaicin
Participants
30
Duration
Acute
Results
Capsaicin significantly increased fat oxidation rate during exercise (+20%); carbohydrate oxidation reduced
How They Measured It
RER, fat oxidation rate during submaximal cycling
Noninvasive cranial suture stimulation: exploring the functional extracranial-intracranial trigeminal fibre connection in humans
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Noninvasive cranial suture stimulation: exploring the functional extracranial-intracranial trigeminal fibre connection in humans
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Efficacy of different therapeutic options for pain relief and treatment of burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
Efficacy of different therapeutic options for pain relief and treatment of burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
A topical nociceutical formulation ameliorates chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a pilot randomized clinical study
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
A topical nociceutical formulation ameliorates chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a pilot randomized clinical study
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
The effect of capsaicin, capsinoids, and pepper-based interventions on lipid profiles in overweight or obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
The effect of capsaicin, capsinoids, and pepper-based interventions on lipid profiles in overweight or obese individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
The impact of topical capsaicin application on the muscle metaboreflex and microvascular responsiveness
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
The impact of topical capsaicin application on the muscle metaboreflex and microvascular responsiveness
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Clinical Observation of a Novel Moisturizing Cream for Reducing Neurovascular Hyper-Reactivity in Sensitive Skin
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
Clinical Observation of a Novel Moisturizing Cream for Reducing Neurovascular Hyper-Reactivity in Sensitive Skin
Dose
As per study protocol
Participants
See full study
Duration
See full study
Results
Statistically significant findings reported — see full study for complete results.
How They Measured It
See full study for endpoints and measurement methods
Pain Relief
Evaluate topical capsaicin for chronic pain conditions
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
Evaluate topical capsaicin for chronic pain conditions
Dose
0.025–8% topical cream
Participants
620
Duration
4–12 weeks
Results
Topical capsaicin significantly reduced pain scores in neuropathic pain and osteoarthritis; high-dose patch most effective
How They Measured It
Pain VAS, NRS across multiple chronic pain RCTs
Cardiovascular Health
Assess capsaicin on cardiovascular risk markers
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess capsaicin on cardiovascular risk markers
Dose
5 mg/day
Participants
80
Duration
12 weeks
Results
LDL reduced by 8%; CRP reduced by 15%; blood pressure modestly reduced (−4 mmHg systolic)
How They Measured It
BP, lipids, inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6)
Evaluate capsaicin on metabolic rate and body composition
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate capsaicin on metabolic rate and body composition
Dose
12 mg/day capsaicin equivalent
Participants
45
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Increased RMR by 4.5% vs baseline; modest reduction in fat mass; improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR)
How They Measured It
Indirect calorimetry, DEXA, blood markers
Appetite Control & Weight Management
Assess capsaicin effect on appetite and gut microbiome diversity
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess capsaicin effect on appetite and gut microbiome diversity
Dose
2 mg capsaicin with meals
Participants
50
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Increased GLP-1 and PYY post-meal; reduced appetite scores; favourable gut microbiome diversity changes
How They Measured It
GLP-1, PYY, 16S rRNA gut microbiome profiling
Comprehensively review capsaicin role in weight management
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
Comprehensively review capsaicin role in weight management
Dose
Various
Participants
410
Duration
Various
Results
Consistent appetite suppression (~74 kcal/day reduction) and metabolic rate increase; weight loss modest without dietary changes
How They Measured It
PRISMA systematic review of human RCTs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Capsaicin research
There are currently 14 peer-reviewed studies on Capsaicin (8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), involving 1,820 total participants. Research covers Fat Loss, Pain Relief, Cardiovascular Health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (12 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Capsaicin has been researched for: Fat Loss, Pain Relief, Cardiovascular Health, Appetite Control. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 12 out of 14 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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