ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE, cilt.21, sa.12, ss.1-9, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
Context • Energy metabolism is the main determinant of
obesity etiology. Consumption of some spices, such as red
pepper, ginger, and turmeric, can be considered to be an
environmental factor affecting energy metabolism.
Objective • This review aimed to examine the effects of
red pepper, ginger, and turmeric on weight control, weight
loss, and energy metabolism.
Design • The research team performed a narrative review
by searching the Google scholar, Scopus, PubMed,
ResearchGate, Web of Science, and Science Direct
databases. The search used the keywords red pepper,
ginger, and turmeric in combination with energy
metabolism, energy expenditure, energy balance,
thermogenesis, anti-obesity, weight management, weight
control, weight loss, metabolic rate, and oxygen
consumption, without considering any time limitation.
Setting • This study has been carried out in Ankara /
Turkey.
Results • Red pepper, ginger, and turmeric affect energy
metabolism through various mechanisms. Dietary red
pepper and its pungent principle capsaicin affects satiety
and has a promising thermogenic influence. Ginger has
positive effects on weight control, obesity prevention, and
energy metabolism. In addition, curcumin inhibits the
conversion of preadipocytes to mature adipocytes.
Conclusions • Red pepper, ginger, and turmeric affect
energy metabolism using mechanisms related to thermal
effect, BMR, total energy expenditure, oxygen
consumption, and lipid oxidation. These spices haven’t
been assigned appropriate doses and periods of use, and
no definite judgments can be made on their use. Therefore,
it’s necessary to conduct further randomized controlled
research to reach absolute conclusions and determine by
which mechanisms these spices show this effect on energy
metabolism. (Altern Ther Health Med. [E-pub ahead of
print.])