Dietary Capsaicin for High Blood Pressure

Overseen By Stephen Ives, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Skidmore College

Must not be taking: Immune suppressants

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Severe illness, Food allergies, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 24

Duration: 6 weeks

80 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether dietary capsaicin, the spicy component in chili peppers, can improve heart health by affecting blood pressure and blood vessel function. Researchers are particularly interested in whether these effects differ between men and women. Participants will take either a capsaicin supplement or a placebo that looks similar but lacks capsaicin. The trial seeks generally healthy men and women with high blood pressure who are not affected by severe illness, pregnancy, or a strong sensitivity to spicy foods.

As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking research on natural ways to enhance heart health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have uncontrolled hypertension or are taking immune suppressants, you may be excluded from participating.

Is there any evidence suggesting that dietary capsaicin is likely to be safe for humans?

Research shows that eating spicy foods and chili peppers, which contain capsaicin, is usually safe for most people. Some studies suggest that capsaicin can lower blood pressure in animals and might benefit heart health. However, excessive capsaicin consumption can sometimes cause side effects like sweating, dizziness, or changes in blood pressure. Overall, regular capsaicin use is linked to some health benefits, but maintaining a normal intake level is important to avoid potential risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for high blood pressure, like ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers, work by relaxing blood vessels or slowing the heart rate. But dietary capsaicin, derived from Capsicum peppers, offers a unique approach. It's thought to naturally lower blood pressure by enhancing blood flow and supporting heart health through its spicy compound capsaicin. Researchers are excited because this natural ingredient could provide a simple, over-the-counter alternative with potentially fewer side effects than standard medications.

What evidence suggests that dietary capsaicin might be an effective treatment for high blood pressure?

Research suggests that capsaicin, the ingredient that makes chili peppers hot, might help manage high blood pressure. One study found that capsaicin significantly lowered blood pressure in just 16 days. Another study showed that people who eat spicy foods, like chili peppers, had a lower risk of dying from heart problems. However, a review that combined results from several studies found no clear effect of capsaicin on blood pressure. This trial will test the effects of dietary capsaicin on blood pressure, comparing it to a placebo. While previous findings are hopeful, they are mixed, and more research is needed to confirm if capsaicin truly benefits blood pressure. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for non-smoking men and women over 18 with high blood pressure, but otherwise healthy. It's not for those with heartburn, stomach issues, food allergies, trouble swallowing pills, or a severe sensitivity to spicy foods. People with serious illnesses or uncontrolled hypertension can't join. Women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, breastfeeding or without a period (not due to birth control) are also excluded.

Exclusion Criteria

I have heartburn, hiatal hernia, gastritis, or peptic ulcer disease.

Participants with food allergies

I have trouble swallowing or taking pills.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 6-week dietary capsaicin intervention to assess its effects on cardiovascular health

6 weeks

Baseline, 24 hours, and 6-week visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dietary Capsaicin

Trial Overview

The study tests if dietary capsaicin affects cardiovascular health differently in men and women by looking at nitric oxide levels and markers like blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Participants will take dietary capsules containing capsaicin.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Dietary Capsaicin Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Over-the-counter dose of 2 x 440 mg capsules (880 mg, Capsicum Pepper Blend, Daily Manufacturing, Rockwell, North Carolina, USA)

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The placebo will be 2 x 400-500 mg fiber (800 mg psyllium husk) capsules which were chosen to be of similar appearance (size, coloration, and texture).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Skidmore College

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

1,100+

American Heart Association

Collaborator

Trials

352

Recruited

6,196,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Japanese cuisine-based DASH (J-DASH) diet significantly lowered home blood pressure (BP) and reduced BP variability in participants with untreated high-normal BP or stage 1 hypertension over a 6-month study involving 40 participants.

The J-DASH diet was found to be feasible and more effective than usual diets in managing blood pressure, indicating its potential as a dietary intervention for hypertension.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Japanese Cuisine-Based Antihypertensive Diet and Fish Oil on Blood Pressure and Its Variability in Participants with Untreated Normal High Blood Pressure or Stage I Hypertension: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Study. Umemoto, S., Onaka, U., Kawano, R., et al.[2022]

Regular consumption of chili peppers, which contain capsaicin, is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and potentially longer life, suggesting a beneficial impact on metabolic health.

Despite the association with reduced mortality, dietary capsaicin does not appear to significantly affect blood glucose or lipid levels, indicating that its health benefits may be linked to changes in gut microbiota rather than direct metabolic improvements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Capsaicin: A Spicy Way to Improve Cardio-Metabolic Health? Szallasi, A.[2023]

Elevated blood pressure is a significant risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease, particularly when systolic/diastolic levels exceed 140/90 mmHg, highlighting the importance of managing hypertension.

Recent studies suggest that nutraceuticals and functional foods, such as the DASH diet, garlic, and fish oil, may serve as effective alternative therapies for prehypertensive patients, offering a natural approach to lowering blood pressure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-hypertensive nutraceuticals and functional foods. Chen, ZY., Peng, C., Jiao, R., et al.[2009]

The study evaluated the safety of a new formulation of capsaicinoids-rich red chili pepper extract (Capsifen®) using fenugreek-derived fiber, showing no adverse effects in Wistar rats at various doses over 14 days, except for some weight loss at higher doses.

The Low-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) for Capsifen was determined to be 500 mg/kg body weight per day, indicating that this dosage is safe for consumption without significant negative health impacts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety assessment of a fenugreek dietary fiber-based formulation of capsaicinoids-rich red chili (Capsicum annum) extract (Capsifen®): Acute and sub-chronic studies. Joseph, A., Nm, J., Kumar, S., et al.[2020]

Capsaicin produces a complex, dose-dependent effect on blood pressure and heart rate in male Wistar rats, with an initial drop in both followed by a transient and sustained increase in blood pressure when injected intravenously.

The cardiovascular responses to capsaicin are influenced by the method of administration, as a slow infusion leads to sustained blood pressure increases and tachycardia, indicating that the effects of capsaicin can vary significantly based on dosage and delivery speed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The acute effects of capsaicin on the cardiovascular system. Chahl, LA., Lynch, AM.[2018]

Acute ingestion of large amounts of chili peppers, which contain capsaicin, can lead to a hypertensive crisis, as observed in a patient, suggesting a significant impact on blood pressure.

Experimental studies in anesthetized rats indicate that the hypertensive response from capsaicin is not mediated by adrenergic or angiotensin mechanisms, but may involve direct action on vascular smooth muscle or activation of endothelin, highlighting a unique pathway for capsaicin's effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mechanisms underlying the hypertensive response induced by capsaicin. Dutta, A., Deshpande, SB.[2022]

A systematic review of 7 trials involving 363 subjects found that capsinoids and fermented red pepper paste (FRPP) significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by an average of 1.90 mmHg, but did not significantly affect systolic blood pressure (SBP).

FRPP supplementation showed a significant reduction in SBP, particularly in studies lasting 12 weeks or more and with sample sizes greater than 50, indicating its potential effectiveness in managing blood pressure.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of capsinoids and fermented red pepper paste supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Amini, MR., Sheikhhossein, F., Bazshahi, E., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 2-kidney, 1-clip hypertensive rats, dietary capsaicin significantly reduced both systolic and mean arterial blood pressure compared to a control diet, suggesting its potential as a dietary intervention for hypertension.

The blood pressure-lowering effect of capsaicin appears to be mediated by enhanced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase B (Akt), indicating a mechanism involving increased nitric oxide production.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary capsaicin-mediated attenuation of hypertension in a rat model of renovascular hypertension. Segawa, Y., Hashimoto, H., Maruyama, S., et al.[2020]

In Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats, a high-salt diet significantly increased blood pressure, indicating that these rats are more susceptible to hypertension compared to Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats.

The TRPV1 receptor plays a protective role against salt-induced hypertension; its activation and expression are impaired in DS rats, while in DR rats, TRPV1 activation helps to lower blood pressure in response to high salt intake.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A novel mechanism contributing to development of Dahl salt-sensitive hypertension: role of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1. Wang, Y., Wang, DH.[2018]

Recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that certain dietary patterns and food items can significantly lower blood pressure, which is important for managing hypertension in both individuals and populations.

Specific studies, such as the DASH trials and others, highlight the effectiveness of dietary changes like salt restriction and weight control as alternatives to medication, while also noting that regular coffee consumption may raise blood pressure in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recent developments concerning diet and hypertension. Beilin, LJ., Burke, V., Puddey, IB., et al.[2019]

Dietary capsaicin significantly reduces heart enlargement, improves cardiac function, and decreases fibrosis in mice subjected to pressure overload, but these protective effects depend on the presence of the TRPV1 receptor.

In TRPV1 knockout mice, the beneficial effects of capsaicin on cardiac health were absent, indicating that TRPV1 is essential for capsaicin's protective role against cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary capsaicin ameliorates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis through the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1. Wang, Q., Ma, S., Li, D., et al.[2022]

Capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers, shows potential for weight management based on animal studies, but it is not a standalone solution for obesity.

Emerging evidence suggests that capsaicin may help restore a healthy gut microbiota, which could contribute to overall health, although it should not be viewed as a miracle weight-loss remedy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Capsaicin for Weight Control: "Exercise in a Pill" (or Just Another Fad)? Szallasi, A.[2022]

A 14-day inpatient trial with 9 volunteers showed that switching from a high-sodium, low-potassium diet to the DASH diet led to a significant decrease in blood pressure, with an average reduction of 3.7 mmHg systolic and 2.3 mmHg diastolic.

The study revealed that this dietary change caused an initial increase in serum aldosterone levels, which then decreased while still on the DASH diet, indicating a complex hormonal response that contributes to blood pressure reduction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Serum aldosterone and urine electrolytes dynamics in response to DASH diet intervention - An inpatient mechanistic study. Bielopolski, D., Qureshi, A., Bentur, OS., et al.[2022]

Citations

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The effect of red pepper/capsaicin on blood pressure and ...

Meta-analysis showed no significant effect of red pepper/capsaicin on SBP (0.43 mmHg, 95% CI: −1.15 to 2.01), DBP (−0.45 mmHg, 95% CI: −2.14 to ...

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ps 08-15 oral dose of capsaicin increases blood pressure ...

Relative to placebo, 30 min after first capsaicin dose systolic BP significantly increased (after 2 hours: +2.8 ± 1.1 mmHg; p=0.02), but not diastolic BP (Fig ...

5.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34676607/

The effect of red pepper/capsaicin on blood pressure and ...

Meta-analysis showed no significant effect of red pepper/capsaicin on SBP (0.43 mmHg, 95% CI: -1.15 to 2.01), DBP (-0.45 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.14 to 1.24), and HR (- ...

6.

bfr.bund.de

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High capsaicin levels can harbour health risks

High intake levels can also cause circulatory problems such as cold sweats, changes in blood pressure and dizziness. However, the available data ...

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Capsaicin: The kick from your chilli can have side effects

Studies have linked regular capsaicin consumption to contributing to lowering the risk, or slowing the progression, of conditions including high ...