The Acute Effect of Grains of Paradise (Aframomum Melegueta) on Resting Energy Expenditure in Lean, Healthy, Adults

Grains of paradise (Aframomumu melegueta) (GP), also known as Guinea pepper or Alligator pepper, belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, which is native to West Africa. GP seeds are used as a spice and also have wide-ranging ethnobotanical uses. GP seeds are very rich in non-volatile pungent compounds such as 6-paradol, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol and related compounds. This feature may equip them with the power to activate the Sympathetic Nervous System and thereby increase EE, which has been demonstrated in rodents. Research suggest that ingestion of GP extract can result in sustained elevation of EE and a consequent reduction in body fat. Thus, there is some evidence that GP may have a potential thermogenic effect that could be useful as part of a weight loss treatment. However, there is no information on whether GP has the potential of improving and prolonging the thermogenic effects of bioactives known to elevate fatty acid mobilization and subsequent fat oxidation. This proposal will fill a void in the literature by testing for the first time in healthy, normal weight, human volunteers whether the ingestion of GP in combination with a commercially available complex containing caffeine, green tea, and forskolin has an enhanced acute effect on REE, the largest and most stable component of EE, as well as the ratio of fat:carbohydrate oxidation. This project will provide pilot data to support larger studies such as prospective studies and studies to compare the thermogenic effect with currently available compounds.