Objective      To investigate the effect of dietary capsaicin on the body composition in adults with overweight and obesity

including muscle mass and fat distribution.       Methods      Twenty subjects with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 were randomly divided into the capsaicin group (4 mg/d capsaicin) and the control group (0.05 mg/d capsaicin) for 4-week intervention. Body composition of each subject was evaluated before and after the intervention.       Results      After 4 weeks of the intervention

significant reductions in BMI

obesity

visceral fat area

body fat percentage

and hip circumference were observed in the capsaicin group (P0.05)

while right lower limb muscle volume significantly increased (P0.05).       Conclusion      Dietary capsaicin consumption may be effective in the treatment of overweight and obesity through increasing muscle mass and reducing body fat accumulation.