The food you eat can affect your metabolism, which is the process in which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy.
Your metabolism plays an important role in the way you gain and lose weight. During metabolism, your body combines the calories in food with oxygen to release the energy it needs to function. A slow metabolism means your body burns calories sparingly, while a fast metabolism burns calories very easily. This means someone with a slow metabolism can gain weight without eating much, and a person with a fast metabolism can eat anything he or she wants without gaining weight. Slow metabolisms can also make it harder to lose weight.
Fortunately, many foods boost metabolism to help with weight loss. Here are the top 15 foods for better metabolism.
15 Foods “High-Octane” foods to boost your metabolism
1. Chili Peppers
Capsaicin gives chili peppers their zesty flavor, and it can boost metabolism by increasing the number of calories you burn. A scientific review of 20 studies found that consuming capsaicin could help you burn about 50 calories a day.
2. Coffee
Research shows that the caffeine in coffee can boost metabolism by as much as 11 percent. Another study shows that coffee increases metabolism through thermogenesis, which is a process in which the body burns calories to produce body heat. Caffeine can also give you the energy you need to work out a little longer. As an added bonus, unsweetened black coffee sugar contains zero calories.
3. Tea
Tea gives coffee a run for its money when it comes to supporting metabolism. Research shows that both green tea and oolong tea can boost metabolism. As with coffee, unsweetened plain tea contains caffeine and zero calories.
4. Legumes
Legumes, such as lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans and peanuts, contain large amounts of protein. Research shows that foods high in protein can positively affect metabolism, which means eating legumes and other high protein foods can help you lose weight. Protein can also spark thermogenesis to burn even more calories.
5. Cocoa and Cacao
Cocoa and the seeds from which it is made, cacao, are delicious treats that can benefit your metabolism. Research in mice shows that cocoa and cacao extracts might tell your body to burn fat by influencing the way your genes act.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Research shows that vinegar, like that in apple cider vinegar, can improve metabolism. Vinegar can also control appetite to reduce food intake.
7. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which research shows can increase metabolic rate.
8. Water
Drinking water may temporarily improve metabolism by 24 to 30 percent, according to research. Drinking cold water may further improve metabolism through thermogenesis.
9. Seaweed
Seaweed contains generous amounts of iodine, which keeps your thyroid gland healthy. Your thyroid gland produces hormones that, among many other jobs, regulate your metabolism.
10. Almonds
Almonds contain protein and healthy fatty acids that give your metabolism a temporary kick. Research shows that eating almonds can reduce belly fat.
11. Cheese
Yes, thats right, a small amount of cheese can be part of a healthy diet. For best metabolic results, pair cheese with an apple.
12. Asparagus
Asparagus contains carnitine, which is a type of essential nutrient that plays a major role in your body’s energy production and the metabolism of fatty acids.
13. Carrots
Carrots are high in fiber, which helps you lose weight in two ways. First, fiber forces the body to work harder during digestion, and this extra work boosts your metabolism. Secondly, fiber makes you feel fuller, so you eat fewer calories.
14. Beef
Beef contains large amounts of protein, which supports metabolism. Beef also contains zinc, which also boosts metabolism.
15. Metabolism-Boosting Spices
Research shows that some spices have metabolism-boosting properties. One study showed that dissolving 2 grams of ginger powder in hot water then drinking it with a meal could help you burn up to 43 more calories than if you were to drink hot water alone. Adding cayenne pepper to a meal can boost your metabolism, especially if you were to add the spice to a high-fat meal.
For more information on foods to boost metabolism, contact Doctors Weight Control. Eating the right foods can help you lose more weight than just by dieting alone, and the increase in metabolism can help you have more energy.
