Scientists in the US say they may have discovered a much safer technique to conduct weight-loss surgeries by using a key component of chilli peppers in the procedures.

Capsaicin, which gives chilli its burning spiciness, might help to significantly reduce the harmful side-effects of a medical procedure called vagotomy by improving the body's ability to absorb food.

Scientific experiments on rats showed that the less invasive technique helped reduce visceral fat by seven per cent in less than a year with less side-effects. The new method is set to be tested on humans.

Al Jazeera's Caroline Malone reports.