Compounds in Peppers May Help Lower Blood Sugar Levels

ARS researchers are helping Americans of all ages live healthier lives. Peppers are packed with nutrients and are a popular healthy snack, salad topper, or side dish. Now, ARS researchers found they may also help lower blood sugar levels, which is a major finding for diabetics.

Capsiate is a chemical found in many commonly consumed peppers, and its structure is related to capsaicin, the more familiar compound that brings “heat” to chili peppers. In support of a process patented to produce purified capsiate from peppers, ARS researchers in Oxford, MS, investigated how this capsiate enriched Capsicum annuum extract, which does not possess any undesirable pungency or spiciness, affects metabolic disorder receptors. Results indicated that capsiate can enhance glucose uptake, prevent lipid accumulation, and inhibit the adverse effect of certain blood glucose-lowering drugs without compromising their main effects. This is the first report to reveal the multiple properties of capsiate from C. annuum and assess its potential in preventing the undesirable side effects of antidiabetic drugs.