Cayenne Pepper: The Next Big Weight-Loss Food?

Cayenne Peppers
Cayenne Peppers

Everyone is looking for the magic bullet when it comes to weight-loss these days it seems. While there is no one thing that will solve all of your weight-loss woes, there are certainly little tricks here and there to help you manage your weight and be healthy and fit. While small easy tips like these will help you drop the pounds, we have a new slightly surprising (and definitely spicy) diet trick: cayenne pepper.

According to research published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, scientists at Purdue found that just half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper increased the metabolism and caused the body to burn an extra 10 calories on its own in a group of 25 diners. In those diners who didn't regularly eat spicy meals, adding the spicy pepper cut an average of 60 calories at their next meal.

Scientists at Purdue say that more research is needed to understand why cayenne pepper boosts metabolism -- and that it's possible that diners may become desensitized to the calorie-burning effects as they grow accustomed to eating spicy foods -- but it certainly is interesting!

Ready to get your spicy food on? Try this recipe for Shrimp and Veggie Creole Kebabs or this Guilt-Free Hummus recipe!

More on SHAPE:
6 Most Overlooked Foods for Weight Loss
Is Sugar Really Evil? 3 Controversy-Free Tips
Stay Full, Low-Calorie Dinner Recipes