Do Spices Help You Burn Calories?
Acute effects of mustard, horseradish, black pepper and ginger on energy expenditure, appetite, ad libitum energy intake and energy balance in human subjects.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Horseradish lowered heart rate and raised diastolic blood pressure—two opposing cardiovascular effects.
Most assume spicy foods stimulate the nervous system to increase heart rate and metabolism. This shows one spice can do the opposite—slowing the heart while tightening blood vessels.
Practical Takeaways
Use mustard for flavor, not fat loss—it might give you a tiny metabolic nudge, but don’t expect results.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Horseradish lowered heart rate and raised diastolic blood pressure—two opposing cardiovascular effects.
Most assume spicy foods stimulate the nervous system to increase heart rate and metabolism. This shows one spice can do the opposite—slowing the heart while tightening blood vessels.
Practical Takeaways
Use mustard for flavor, not fat loss—it might give you a tiny metabolic nudge, but don’t expect results.
Publication
Journal
The British journal of nutrition
Year
2013
Authors
N. T. Gregersen, Anita Belza, M. G. Jensen, C. Ritz, C. Bitz, O. Hels, E. Frandsen, D. Mela, A. Astrup
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Claims (4)
Eating horseradish can slightly slow your heart rate and raise your blood pressure a little, even though it doesn’t make you burn more calories.
These spices don’t make you feel fuller, less hungry, or change what your body burns for fuel after eating.
Adding mustard to food might slightly boost the body’s calorie-burning after eating, but the evidence isn’t strong enough to be sure.
Adding black pepper, ginger, or horseradish to food doesn’t make you burn more calories, feel less hungry, or eat less after the meal.