The Effects of Capsinoids and Fermented Red Pepper Paste Supplementation on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in order to investigate the effects of capsinoids and fermented red pepper paste (FRPP) supplementation on lipid profile. Relevant studies were identified by searches of five databases from inception to November 2021 using relevant keywords. All clinical trials investigating the effect of capsinoids and FRPP on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were included. Out of 1,203 citations, eight trials that enrolled 393 participants were included. Capsinoids and FRPP resulted in a significant reduction in TC (weighted mean differences [WMD], −9.92 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], −17.92 to −1.92; p = 0.015) but no significant changes in TG (WMD, −19.38 mg/dL; 95% CI, −39.94 to 1.18; p = 0.065), HDL-C (WMD, 0.83 mg/dL; 95% CI, −0.76 to 2.42; p = 0.305) and LDL-C (WMD, −0.59 mg/dL; 95% CI, −4.96 to 3.79; p = 0.793). Greater effects on TC were detected in trials performed on duration lasting less than twelve weeks, mean age of > 40, both sexes, and sample size of > 50. TG was reduced by using FRPP in studies conducted on mean age of > 40. HDL-C increased by using FRPP in studies conducted on duration of < 12 weeks, mean age of > 40, and sample size of ≤ 50. Overall, these data provided evidence that capsinoids and FRPP supplementation has beneficial effects on TC but not TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C.