Chili burns more than just your taste buds. According to a new study, dietary capsaicin (CAP) may help to address obesity by reducing endotoxemia, a major contributor to chronic, low-grade inflammation (CLGI) and obesity. Through an interaction with your gut microbiota, CAP prevents microbial dysbiosis and gut barrier dysfunction, both of which can lead to CLGI and excess weight gain.

 

Specifically, CAP works to increase gut health-beneficial bacteria and reduce levels of bad bacteria. This was found to protect against high-fat-diet-induced CLGI.

 

Try this simple recipe to add some spice to your life—and protect yourself against obesity:

 

Ingredients

  • 2 cucumbers
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 4 fresh red chili peppers, sliced

 

  1. For dressing, whisk vinegar and sugar together until sugar is dissolved. Then, add sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds.
  2. Toss cucumbers and red chilies with dressing and serve.