The Study
Acute effects of mustard, horseradish, black pepper and ginger on energy expenditure, appetite, ad libitum energy intake and energy balance in human subjects.
This study is like testing if adding mustard to your sandwich makes your body burn a tiny bit more calories right after eating — and it kinda might, but not enough to be sure. It doesn’t prove mustard helps you lose weight or makes you less hungry.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists tested if adding mustard, black pepper, ginger, or horseradish to food helps burn more calories or makes you eat less.
Where does this study sit?
Systematic Reviews & Meta-analyses
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control
Max 58Cross-Sectional
Max 44Case Reports & Series
Max 30Expert Opinion
Max 564 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. Considered the gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1The calorie-burning effect of mustard is too small and uncertain to matter for weight loss.
- 2The cholesterol and blood pressure changes are minor but could be important with long-term use.
- 3Mustard made people burn 14% more calories after eating (but not enough to be sure).
- 4Black pepper lowered good cholesterol.
- 5Horseradish made heart beat slower and blood pressure go up.
- 6None made people feel less hungry or eat less.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
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
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.