Metabolism is the speed at which your body burns down the calories acquired from food. Slow metabolism rate leads to weight gain and fatigue. And no matter how much you exercise or consume a balanced diet, you won’t be able to get rid of that unwanted fat. Adding metabolism boosting foods in your diet can be a head start in solving this problem.
There are several factors that affect metabolism, such as:
- Age
- Hormones
- Stress
- Gender
In addition, metabolism is also affected by the foods we consume. Here are 15 metabolism boosting foods that improve body’s capacity to burn more calories:
- Chili peppers
Chili peppers greatly accelerate metabolic rate by increasing thermogenesis, a process of heat generation in the body to melt the fat. Capsaicin, a chemical found in hot pepper, is known to raise the body temperature and boost metabolism.
- Coffee
The caffeine in coffee is known to improve your metabolism. The dark and aromatic drink helps in quick fat oxidization by increasing the metabolic rate by up to 11%. Also, coffee is a great solution for improving your workout performance as it helps the body to burn fat for energy.
- Herbs
Herbs such as oregano, cilantro, dill, fennel, thyme, and rosemary are packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants negate the effect of free oxygen radicals and improve the body’s metabolic rate.
- Apple
These are a rich source of dietary fiber, flavonoids, and antioxidants. They do not only help in increasing metabolic rate but also reduce inflammation, cholesterol, and improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profile.
- Celery
Popularly promoted as a negative calorie food, celery is one of the best metabolism boosting foods. When you consume celery, your body cells have to work really hard to break it down, thus increasing your metabolic rate. This means you burn more calories digesting it than the calories actually present in it.
- Seeds
Flax seeds and hemp seeds are a powerhouse of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Both these improve the blood flow to your muscles and reduce inflammation, thus resulting in a higher metabolism.
- Oily Fishes
Oily fishes such as tuna, salmon, and herring contain a generous amount of omega-3 fatty acids. This reduces inflammation and the blood sugar level, consequently resulting in boosted metabolism. Additionally, these fatty acids bring down resistance to leptin, a hormone that plays a vital role in determining the speed of fat burn.
- Eggs
Eggs make for the perfect high-protein diet. They contain all the essential amino acids that can be used by the body for maintenance and boosting metabolism. Also, they contain vitamin B2, which further supports high metabolic activity.
- Broccoli
This is one of those metabolism boosting foods that are deemed as a storehouse of vitamin C and calcium. The two nutrients combine together and help the body in burning calories quickly and powerfully. Calcium revs up the metabolism and vitamin C improves the absorption of calcium.
- Oatmeal
Oats are made up of metabolism boosting fiber. It is low in fats and keeps the blood sugar level regulated. Eating oatmeal can also help in reducing cholesterol and bringing down the risk of heart disease.
- Grapefruit
Grapefruit is known to decrease insulin levels. Reduced insulin levels, especially after meals, allow your body to process food quickly. This means you burn more calories and stock less fat.
- Green Tea
Green tea contains an essential chemical known as EGCG which stimulates the nervous system and increases the speed at which the body burns calories. The caffeine content in green tea accelerates the heart rate and boosts the metabolism.
- Almonds
Almonds contain fatty acids that greatly improve the metabolic rate. Also, it is a protein-rich food item that makes your body burn more amount of fat in order to digest it. It is also low-glycemic, thus helping to keep the blood sugar level stable.
- Low-fat yogurt
Low-fat yogurt is one of the best metabolism boosting foods. It is replete with calcium and protein that gives you energy throughout the day and allows you to quickly build lean muscle mass. It also regulates the activities of the digestive tract.
- Spinach
This amazing leafy vegetable provides high fiber and a substantial amount of iron and calcium to your diet. The fiber increases fat burn, iron supports healthy blood flow whereas calcium boosts the muscle performance.
Some other things to do to boost your metabolism:
- Drink 7-8 glasses of water every day
- Observe a healthy workout regimen
- Eat after regular intervals
- Drink a glass of lime juice water first thing in the morning
- Do not stress
- Avoid late night snacking
- Sleep for 7 hours
Always remember, the key to a healthy lifestyle is consistency. Observe healthy eating habits by including the above metabolism boosting foods into a nutrient-rich diet to lead a healthy life.
