Black pepper beneficial to combat obesity
Posted on: 12/Jan/2018 11:32:07 AM
In a recent study conducted by Sri Venkateswara University, researchers found that one of black pepper`s compounds, Piperonal, was found to significantly reduce the harmful effects of a high-fat diet when fed to rats. The research was published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism.
The study found that the rats that were given this as a supplement for six weeks had a lower body weight, body fat percentage and blood sugar levels along with stronger bones, as compared to the animals that were fed fatty foods only and no pepper. Piperonal extracted from black pepper seeds was added to the rodents` diets from the 16-week point. The team found that these preventative effects peaked at a dosage of 40 mg per kg of body weight, administered for a 42-day period. And, it was also suggested that piperonal can possibly help regulate some genes associated with obesity.
A similar study conducted by the Imperial College in London found that mutations in a gene usually related to obesity. The study suggested that obesity is not always gluttony. At the same time, Indian researchers claim that piperonal could counteract some of the genes linked directly to being overweight.
Say the Indian researchers, Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of piperonal as a potent anti-obesity agent, provide scientific evidence for its traditional use and suggest the possible mechanism of action.
Say the researchers, Early studies into ADCY3 tested mice that were bred to lack that gene, found that these animals were obese and also lacked the ability to smell, known as anosmia. When we tested our patients, we found that they also had anosmia, again showing a link to mutations in ADCY3.
The research was published in the journal Nature Genetics.
