Short- and Long-Term Effects of Capsaicin Supplementation on Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials Publisher Pubmed

Summary: Research found capsaicin has no major effect on blood sugar or insulin, despite animal studies suggesting benefits. #DiabetesResearch #Nutrition

Foshati S¹ ; Moradi S¹ ; Tavassoly M² ; Rouhani MH²
Source: Food and Function Published:2021

Abstract

Background & aims: Animal studies have shown that capsaicin exerts beneficial effects on glucose metabolism. However, the findings of human studies are contradictory. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials to assess the effect of capsaicin administration on glycemic indices. Methods: Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched from the database inception to January 14, 2021. The weighted (WMD) or standardized (SMD) mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using a random-effects model. Results: Fourteen trials were included in this study. Long-term capsaicin supplementation did not show significant effects on fasting blood glucose (WMD: 0.03 mmol L-1, 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.12, I2 = 40.5%) and fasting insulin (SMD: 0.09, 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.22, I2 = 0.0%). Short-term capsaicin supplementation had no significant effects on 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (WMD: 0.06 mmol L-1, 95% CI: -0.34 to 0.47, I2 = 92.5%) and 2-hour postprandial insulin (WMD: 1.70 µIU mL-1, 95% CI: -3.46 to 6.86, I2 = 72.4%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the dose and ingestion form of capsaicin could be sources of between-study heterogeneity. Conclusions: Capsaicin supplementation seems to have neither acute nor chronic beneficial or detrimental effects on blood glucose and insulin levels. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.