A study undertaken by Australian researchers has shown that the simple act of eating chilli on a regular basis could really aid you to prevent insulin resistance and to beat obesity. The research was done at the University of Tasmania and insulin levels were monitored in volunteers who were told to eat either a bland meal or the same meal but with large amounts of chilli in it. Those people who were given the chilli laden meals had a lower post meal rise in insulin levels and this was particularly evident in the overweight volunteers.

It has been noted by researchers previously that people who are resistant to insulin have a greater chance of getting diabetes or heart disease as well as liver problems and some cancers. Being overweight or obese and doing little or no exercise has been shown to add to the development of insulin resistance.

The study actually involved 36 male and female subjects from the age of 22 to 70 all of whom were fed a diet that was very bland for a month and then immediately swithched to a diet that contained alot of chilli for 4 weeks. In the people who were overweight or obese the changes in the range of glucose metabolism indicators after the chilli meals was much more marked compared to those changes that were observed with the normal weight people.

The study authors admit that this research only gives a little information about the link between chilli and insulin but nevertheless highlights the importance of examining the benefits that chilli or other spices and culinary stimulants could have on preventing insulin resistance. While eating chilli on all meals is obviously unlikely to be an effective weight loss diet it could provide a little help to those people who have insulin resistance problems and obesity as a result.

The importance of understanding the mechanisms that work in the dietary system are very important to developing effective weight loss diets and medications and this latest research provides clues on how to prevent insulin resistance that is a major cause of obesity. The research which was printed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition obviously needs further study and more clinical testing with different types of chilli and other spices.

Ukmedix looks forward to promoting the Chilli Diet in the near future.