Capsaicinoids (the active ingredient in hot peppers) have been shown to cause a moderate increase in energy expenditure (50 kcal/day) as well as reductions in appetite, energy intake, and (visceral) adiposity. As such, there is considerable interest in capsaicinoid for weight loss supplements. Owing to the fact that these changes are believed to be driven by catecholamine release and alterations in fat oxidation, there is growing belief that capsaicin may also offer potential ergogenic benefits (performance enhancement) during exercise, similar to the affect of caffeine, which works through similar pathways. Of particular interest are the recent findings that free-fatty acids in the blood are elevated 2-2.5hrs post ingestion, yet changes in typical cardiovascular or sympathetic nervous tone indicators (heart rate, blood pressure) were unaffected, suggesting some of the negative consequences of other stimulants may be avoided. At present, however, more in depth investigations of the effects on endothelial function, vascular autonomic tone and inflammation are lacking.