Hot peppers contain capsaicin, a molecule shown to increase the body’s metabolism and promote fat burning. The highest level of capsaicin is found in habanero peppers, which are very hot. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 6 mg of capsaicin a day improved abdominal fat loss and suppressed appetite. Various other studies showed similar results. We were prepared to suffer the burning sensation because we believe habaneros will increase metabolism and burn fat.

Recent research suggests we may not have to eat very hot peppers to achieve this effect. It found that mild peppers may have the same calorie-burning effect. It appears that the compound dihydrocapsite (DCT), the non-spicy relative of capsaicin, is just as effective. In the study, participants who ate the most DCT from mild peppers experienced nearly double the metabolic boost as the placebo group.