This article looks at phenylcapsaicin supplementation in CrossFit® athletes
What’s the deal?
This study looked at whether a supplement called phenylcapsaicin could help CrossFit® athletes perform better and improve post-exercise recovery. Phenylcapsaicin is a non-spicy relative of capsaicin, the compound that gives chilli peppers their heat.
What did they do?
Fifty CrossFit® athletes (50% women) took part in two sessions, 7 days apart. On one occasion they took phenylcapsaicin (2.5mg) about 45 minutes before a CrossFit® session, and on the other they took a placebo. In addition to a typical ‘workout of the day’ session, athletes also underwent tests for jumping, weightlifting, and squats and also reported on muscle soreness in the days afterwards.
What happened?
Athletes were better at jumps, weightlifting, and squats tests with phenylcapsaicin compared to placebo. They also reported less DOMS at both 24 and 48 hours post-exercise. However, performance during the ‘workout of the day’ itself did not improve and the overall perceived difficulty rating was not different with the supplement.
What can you tell me about the people?
All participants were well-trained and familiar with this style of workout. Athletes were recruited in Spain and the average age was about 30 years old.
What else should I know?
The differences reported here were small, but still significant, especially in the world of sport and competition where every percent counts.
What will I do differently?
I am a big fan of any supplement that can be taken just once and provide immediate benefit. I don’t do CrossFit®, but I wonder if phenylcapsaicin has benefit in say sprinting, or football.
Acknowledgements
This research was published in January 2026 by AR Triviño and colleagues from the University of La Laguna in Tenerife, Spain.
This article highlights our personal take on their research, but there is so much more information available! Check it out here and see what you think!
Abstract Athlete 