Certain appetite hormone levels may determine a person’s weight loss results, according to findings published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

During a 32-week study, a team of researchers examined the effects of an eight-week low-calorie diet on more than 100 people who were considered overweight or obese. The investigators weighed each participant, and measured insulin, ghrelin and leptin levels.

The team discovered that prior to following the dietary regimen, individuals with higher levels of leptin and lower ghrelin concentrations were at a higher risk of gaining weight after stopping the low-calorie diet. Furthermore, the findings showed that these hormones could predict how effectively a person could lose and maintain healthy weight loss.

Ana Crujeiras, lead author of the trial, stated that “our study sheds light on how the appetite hormones leptin and ghrelin affect weight regain after weight loss.” She added that “this knowledge could be used as a tool to personalize weight-loss programs that could guarantee success in keeping off the weight.”

People who are looking for foods that can help with weight loss can benefit from eating hot peppers, according to a study conducted at the University of California in Los Angeles.