Capsaicin increases fat utilization after training

Capsaicin is the chemical that gives chili peppers their heat. It increases calorie consumption for several hours and could be helpful in a weight loss program. Capsaicin works by increasing levels of the "flight or fight" hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), which increases fat utilization and boosts metabolism.
A Korean study showed that supplementation with capsaicin (200 mg) 30 minutes before exercise (50 percent of maximum effort for 30 minutes) increased fat utilization after exercise and stabilized the electrocardiogram (measurement of the electrical activity of the heart). Capsaicin helps to bring the nervous system back to its resting state after exercise and promotes fat utilization.
A few years ago, Danish scientists found that supplementing with capsaicin 30 minutes before a meal reduced food intake by 8 percent. Taking capsaicin with tomato juice was even more effective, reducing food intake by 28 percent.
(Journal Sports Science and Medicine, 9: 253-261, 2010)