Grains of Paradise: What It Is and How to Use It for Fat Loss

Tried everything and still can't shake the fat?

Maybe a fat burner can help you. But beware, not all fat burners are created equal.

There's a lot of shitty formulas with dangerous ingredients and artificial stimulants which leave you feeling jittery and irritable.

And if you're already in a caloric deficit, you don't need any more irritation (for yourself and those around you).

But...what if you could cut fat without the nasty side effects?

*enter grains of paradise

A stimulant-free fat burner and natural metabolism booster that has been scientifically proven to help increase energy expenditure and burn calories to improve fat loss.

Let's dive in!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Grains of paradise is a natural thermogenic that stimulates fat burn through the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and by increasing the total amount of calories your body burns.
• Paradoxine is the preferred grains of paradise extract because it contains the same grade of extract used in actual human research.
• When paired with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, paradoxine can help you cut unwanted body fat to achieve a leaner stature.

WHAT ARE GRAINS OF PARADISE?

Grains of paradise, also known as melegueta pepper, is the seed of the Aframomum melegueta plant, which is native to West Africa. It is in the same botanical family as ginger and turmeric.

Grains of paradise seeds taste similar to black pepper with a hint of citrus. They are often ground into powder to add a spicy, peppery flavor to a wide variety of dishes.

The seeds have anti-inflammatory properties and have been used for many years in West Africa as a remedy for various ailments, including upset stomach, high blood pressure, diarrhea, and snakebites.

In recent years, grains of paradise has become associated with weight loss because of its ability to boost metabolism and increase visceral fat loss. 

Gingerols and other related compounds present in the seeds are believed to be responsible for many of the health-promoting effects of grains of paradise.

Chemical components of grains of paradise seeds include:

• 6-paradol
• 6-gingerol
• 6-gingerdione
• 6-shogaol

Of these, the most important compounds to focus on are 6-paradol and 6-gingerol (also present in ginger), as they have the most research backing their use.

TYPES OF BODY FAT

To better understand how grains of paradise work for fat loss, let’s rewind and talk about the different types of body fat.

WHITE ADIPOSE TISSUE

White adipose tissue is the most abundant type of fat in the body. It is distributed throughout the body, appearing around internal organs (visceral fat), beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat), and in bone marrow fat. Excess energy from the foods you eat is stored in white adipose tissue.

While we need some white fat, too much can harm our health and lead to obesity. Additionally, individuals with large amounts of visceral or intra-abdominal fat have an increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and even certain types of cancer.

BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), also known as brown fat, is a particular type of body fat activated at cold temperatures right before you start shivering.

Researchers once thought that only babies had brown fat. However, studies have shown that adults also have small amounts of brown fat throughout the body, particularly around the neck, shoulder blades, and kidneys.

When activated, brown fat breaks down glucose and fat molecules to generate heat and help maintain your body’s normal temperature. This process is known as thermogenesis.

Studies show that when brown fat generates heat, it can burn a significant amount of calories. As such, high amounts of brown fat can help with weight management.

In short, white fat cells are your body’s energy storage cells. Brown fat cells burn energy and calories. You want more brown fat!

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GRAINS OF PARADISE AND BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE

Grains of paradise can help transform energy-storing fat tissue into brown fat, thereby increasing thermogenesis and total energy expenditure.

For example, one 2014 randomized control trial published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology looked at 19 non-obese females in their early 20s. Researchers measured their total energy expenditure and body fat content before and after daily oral ingestion of 30 milligrams of grains of paradise extract. After four weeks of consumption, they observed a decrease in the amount of visceral fat and an increase in total energy expenditure among participants who took the grains of paradise extract.

Authors of the study concluded that grains of paradise extract may be a safe and effective tool to aid in body fat reduction, primarily by preventing visceral fat accumulation

Another four-week randomized control trial published in the British Journal of Nutrition looked at 19 healthy male volunteers who were given either 40 milligrams of grains of paradise extract or a placebo daily. Researchers placed the men, who were in light clothing, in an air-conditioned room at 19°C (66.2°F) for two hours. Participants also were instructed to put their feet onto an ice block. 

After two hours, participants underwent an FDG-PET/CT imaging test to evaluate BAT activation. 

Indirect calorimetry was also used to measure whole-body energy expenditure following a 6-12 hour fasting period.

Researchers observed that the group who consumed grains of paradise extract had a significant increase in total energy expenditure through the activation of brown adipose tissue compared to the placebo group. 

Lastly, one 2021 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology concluded that repeated consumption of 40 milligrams of grains of paradise extract increases thermogenesis through the re-activation of BAT, thereby reducing body fat percentage even in those with low brown fat activity.

GRAINS OF PARADISE VS. PARADOXINE

Paradoxine is an extract of the grains of paradise seed.

It is the preferred grains of paradise extract because it is standardized to contain 12.5% 6-paradol, the same grade of extract used in human studies.

THE BENEFITS OF PARADOXINE

Unlike many fat burners, paradoxine is a stimulant-free fat burner, with human trials demonstrating its effectiveness.

Potential benefits of paradoxine include:

Increases Metabolism:  Studies have shown that paradoxine activates BAT, increasing the number of calories your body burns each day.

Weight Loss: Because paradoxine can increase the number of calories your body burns, it can support weight loss when paired with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

Decreases Visceral Fat: In human studies, paradoxine has been shown to decrease visceral fat (abdominal fat).

Burns Stubborn Fat: Studies have proven that paradoxine can reduce body fat percentage, even in those with low BAT activity.

BOTTOM LINE

TLDR;

Grains of paradise, also known as melegueta pepper, is a spice that has been used for years to treat digestive issues, inflammation, high blood pressure, and other ailments.

Studies have shown that grains of paradise helps cut fat by activating brown adipose tissue and increasing metabolism. It has also been scientifically proven to decrease visceral fat in humans. 

Paradoxine is the preferred grains of paradise extract because it is the only extract backed by human studies.

When paired with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, paradoxine can help increase thermogenesis to help you cut fat and burn more calories.

As always, talk with your healthcare provider before starting any supplements — even if they are natural.