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The effect of chilli on gastrointestinal transit
M Horowitz1, J Wishart, A Maddox
1Department of Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Chilli consumption significantly impacts digestion. This study found that chilli slows gastric emptying but speeds up whole gut transit in healthy volunteers.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Dietary components can influence gastrointestinal motility.
- Understanding the physiological effects of common food ingredients like chilli is important for digestive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of chilli powder on gastrointestinal transit in healthy individuals.
- To quantify the impact of chilli on gastric emptying, orocaecal transit, and whole gut transit.
Main Methods:
- Eight healthy volunteers participated in a controlled study.
- Gastrointestinal transit was assessed using radioisotopic techniques for gastric emptying, breath hydrogen for orocaecal transit, and radio-opaque markers for whole gut transit.
- A standard test meal was administered with and without 20 g of chilli powder.
Main Results:
- Ingestion of chilli powder significantly slowed gastric emptying (P < 0.05).
- Whole gut transit was significantly faster following the chilli-containing meal (P < 0.02).
- No significant alterations were observed in orocaecal transit time.
Conclusions:
- Chilli consumption has a demonstrable effect on digestive processes.
- The findings indicate that chilli can alter the speed of food movement through the stomach and intestines.