We recently published a paper documenting the effects of capsaicinoids on energy balance and its components in animals and humans.1 Although not being a matter of consensus, standardized laboratory testing showed that capsaicinoids can facilitate the control of energy intake and increase energy expenditure. Of particular interest is the study of weight-reduced obese individuals in whom appetite control was also improved after weight loss, which globally led to the conclusion that capsaicinoids may help in the management of obesity. In this regard, Dr Nicholas Fuller submitted a letter to the IJO Editor to emphasize that the independent effect of capsaicinoids on obesity management is not clearly established and deserves further investigation.2 We do not disagree with this viewpoint that also dictates what should be the next step of research in this field. Interesting questions include whether capsaicinoids can improve the outcome of a dietary treatment or whether weight loss can modify the response of energy intake and expenditure to capsaicinoids. Whatever the question being investigated, a ‘spicy solution’ to obesity should be a matter of realistic expectations. On the basis of the reviewed literature and of our clinical experience with other supplementations, it would be a success to accentuate by at least 100 kcal per day the negative energy balance induced by a dietary intervention including capsaicinoid supplementation.