Antioxidant, anti-obesity, nutritional and other beneficial effects of different chili pepper: a review

• Main Authors: Azlan, Azrina, Sultana, Sharmin, Chan, Suk Huei, Razman, Muhammad Rizal
• Format: Article
• Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2022
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/100293/; https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/3/898
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Fruits and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet. They are rich sources of vitamins and minerals, dietary fibre and a host of beneficial non-nutrient substances including plant sterols, flavonoids and other antioxidants. It has been reported that reduced intake of fruits and vegetables may increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Chili pepper, is a common and important spice used to enhance taste and nutrition. Over the years, reports have shown its potential as antioxidant and an anti-obesity agent. Obesity is a serious health concern as it may initiate other common chronic diseases. Due to the side effects of synthetic antioxidants and anti-obesity drugs, scientists are now focusing on natural products which produce similar effects to synthetic chemicals. This up-to-date review addresses this research gap and presents, in an accessible format, the nutritional, antioxidant and anti-obesity properties of different chili peppers. This review article serves as a reference guide for use of chili peppers as anti-obesity agents.