Can spicy food help you get slimmer? New study says, adding heat to meals helps you eat less and feel fuller

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ET OnlineLast Updated: Jun 03, 2025, 06:35:00 PM IST

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Turning up the heat on your meals could be the key to eating less. Penn State researchers discovered that spice not only enhances flavor but also slows eating, helping reduce calorie intake. The study found no change in enjoyment or water consumption, making chili peppers a surprising ally in portion control and weight management without compromising taste.

Spices — A new study from Penn State reveals that adding spice to your meals can help you eat less without sacrificing taste. Researchers found that spicier dishes slow down eating speed, which naturally reduces calorie intake. *(Representative image: iStock)*

If you’ve ever wished there was a way to eat less without giving up your favorite meals, scientists may have just found the secret hiding in your spice rack. A new study from Penn State University’s Sensory Evaluation Center reveals that adding a little heat to your food can help slow down your eating and reduce calorie intake—without compromising on flavor.

Chili Peppers Take Center Plate
The research, set to be published in the October edition of Food Quality and Preference, examined whether spicing up meals could change how much and how fast people eat. The team, led by postdoctoral researcher Paige Cunningham, served up two beloved comfort dishes—beef chili and chicken tikka masala—either in their usual form or with an added kick of dried chili peppers.

According to The Mirror, what they found was telling: those who ate the spicier versions consumed less food and did so more slowly. “We know from earlier studies that eating more slowly can lead to consuming significantly fewer calories,” Cunningham explained. “We wanted to see if adding a bit of spice to a meal would slow people down enough to actually make a difference.”

Taste Intact, Appetite Trimmed
Crucially, the study found that the increased spiciness didn’t make the dishes any less enjoyable. Participants didn’t rate the spicy meals as any less tasty, nor did they drink significantly more water—dismissing the myth that spicier food may only lead to thirst rather than satiety.

“This points to added chilies as a potential strategy for reducing the risk of energy overconsumption,” said co-author John Hayes, professor of food science at Penn State. “It wasn’t our explicit aim to study portion control, but our results suggest this could actually help.”

So, next time you're plating your dinner, consider reaching for the chili flakes. This simple yet powerful tweak could help you slow down, savor your food, and stay satisfied with smaller portions. As researchers continue to explore the intersection of flavor and health, it turns out the path to better eating habits might just be paved with spice.