Paprika Xanthophylls Significantly Reduces Abdominal Fat in Overweight Individuals

by | Apr 28, 2020 | 2018, Antioxidants, Botanicals, Carotenoids, Obesity, Weight Control

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. Compared to the placebo group, a twelve-week supplementation with paprika xanthophylls significantly reduced the abdominal fat area and body mass index in healthy overweight study participants. 

botanical - paprika Obesity significantly affects long-term longevity, such that obese individuals face a reduction in life expectancy of about 10 years on average 1. Xanthophylls are a type of carotenoid (natural plant pigment) known for their potent antioxidant activity 2.  Xanthophylls play a critical role in human health, with beta-cryptoxanthin demonstrating the ability to prevent diabetes and arteriosclerosis 3, astaxanthin showing protective effects on brain function 4, and lutein and zeaxanthin being linked to the mitigation of age-related macular degeneration 5. In one study, intake of beta-cryptoxanthin resulted in significant reduction of abdominal fat in individuals with mild to moderate obesity 6. Other research reports an inverse relationship between serum levels of beta-cryptoxanthin and risk of metabolic syndrome 7. Paprika is a ground spice that is particularly abundant in a variety of xanthophylls 8, including beta-cryptoxanthin, and has been noted for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects 9,10. To evaluate the potential anti-obesity effects of paprika xanthophylls, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Oleo Science tested whether intake of xanthophylls from red paprika would significantly reduce fat stores in obese subjects 11.

A total of 80 subjects (67 men, 13 women; mean age = 48.8 years) who were classified as overweight (body mass index, BMI, of 25 to < 30 kg/m2) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Subjects were randomized to receive either a commercial paprika xanthophyll preparation (containing 9.0 mg total paprika xanthophylls) or matching placebo daily for 12 weeks. At baseline and at Week 12, anthropometric measurements and body composition were recorded. Abdominal visceral fat area (VFA), abdominal subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and total fat (TFA) were also measured using computerized tomography (CT) scans. Fasting blood samples were collected to determine lipid metabolism markers and glucose metabolism markers.

At the end of 12 weeks, significantly greater reductions were observed in the paprika xanthophyll group, relative to placebo, in SFA (Mean Change = -8.29 +/- 3.13 vs. 2.00 +/- 3.18, respectively), TFA (MC = -11.1 +/- 4.37 vs. 1.57 +/- 3.80), and waist circumference (MC = -1.12 +/- 0.40 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.44) (p < 0.05 for all). By Week 12, body weight (MC = -0.95 +/- 0.30 vs. -0.12 +/- 0.19) and BMI (MC = -0.33 +/- 0.10 vs. -0.03 +/- 0.07) were also significantly lower in the paprika xanthophyll group vs. placebo (p < 0.05 for both). Finally, for the paprika xanthophyll group, total cholesterol (TC) (from 203.2 +/- 4.9 mg/dL to 196.9 +/- 4.3 mg/dL, p < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (from 124.8 +/- 4.1 mg/dL to 118.3 +/- 3.8 mg/dL, p < 0.01) were seen to significantly diminish from baseline to Week 12. For the placebo group, no such changes were apparent.

General results suggest that oral supplementation with paprika xanthophylls can effectively reduce abdominal fat and BMI, as well as improve markers of lipid metabolism, in overweight individuals. Researchers hypothesize that the anti-obesity effects seen in the present study may be specifically related to beta-cryptoxanthin; however, clinical outcomes may also be a synergistic effect produced by the combination of xanthophylls contained in the specific paprika supplement. Additional testing is needed to clarify the mechanism responsible for the abdominal fat loss and improved lipid metabolism observed here. Study limitations include the disproportionate ratio of male to female subjects in the sample pool and the failure to account for other dietary sources of xanthophylls using a food diary. Overall, however, paprika appears to be a safe and effective functional food for overweight individuals.

Source: Kakutani R, Hokari S, Nishino A, et al. Effect of oral paprika xanthophyll intake on abdominal fat in healthy overweight humans: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Oleo Science. 2018; 67(9):1149-1162. DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess18076.

© 2018 by Japan Oil Chemists’ Society

Posted April 28, 2020.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

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