Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

← All supplements
Limited evidenceWeight management

Grains of Paradise

A West African spice (Aframomum melegueta) that activates brown fat and modestly raises energy expenditure in small human studies. All the human trials come from one Japanese research group and none is large.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Brown fat activation and energy expenditure Limited evidence

    A randomized trial in men found that grains of paradise extract activated brown adipose tissue and increased whole-body energy expenditure acutely. The sample was small and participants were selected for brown fat status.

  • Visceral fat over four weeks Limited evidence

    A randomized trial reported that daily ingestion of the extract increased whole-body energy expenditure and decreased visceral fat in humans over four weeks. The effect size was small and the trial has not been independently replicated.

  • People with low brown fat activity Limited evidence

    A follow-up study found prolonged treatment recruited adaptive thermogenesis and reduced body fat in humans with initially low brown fat activity. Sample sizes remained in the low dozens and all these trials share one research group.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseHuman trials used 30–40 mg/day of a standardised Aframomum melegueta seed extract for up to four weeks.
SafetyShort-term trials reported no notable adverse effects. It is a culinary spice with a long food history, but concentrated extracts have not been tested long-term. No data in pregnancy or breastfeeding; the pungent compounds may aggravate reflux in sensitive people.

Scientific references

Where to buy

View on iHerb

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Weight management